COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                        Item No.          9a 
BRIEFING ITEM                             Date of Meeting      February 26, 2019 
DATE:     February 19, 2019 
TO:        Port Commissioners and Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director 
FROM:    Veronica Valdez, Commission Specialist 
SUBJECT:  Briefing on the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) All Gender Restroom
Plan 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
The purpose of this briefing is to present and review the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
(Sea-Tac) All Gender Restroom Plan. On May 22, 2018, the Port of Seattle Commission adopted
Motion 2018-08 which directed Port staff to develop a Sea-Tac All Gender Restroom Plan to
ensure that all existing and future single-occupant restrooms at Sea-Tac, beyond meeting the
requirements set by the Washington State Building Code (WSBC), are designated for use by any
person, regardless of sex or gender identity. 1 
BACKGROUND 
All gender restrooms are facilities that anyone can use regardless of gender. They can be single
or multi-stall. All gender restrooms benefit a variety of people, including transgender and
gender non-conforming individuals. All gender restrooms create a safe space for employees and
community members to use the restrooms as it removes stigma or rationale for judgement as
to which gendered facilities to use. All gender restrooms also accommodate use by caretakers
and parents when assisting someone of the opposite gender. 
In May, 2018 a working group, made up of representatives from across the Port of Seattle, was
tasked to develop the All Gender Restroom Plan that includes a recommended design for
restrooms and signage, timelines, costs, alternatives, and implications considered. The working
group met bi-weekly over the course of the June 2018 to February 2019. 
On July 31, 2018, the Port of Seattle working group conducted a focus group with key external
stakeholders from the  Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and  Queer (LGBTQ)-focused
organizations, specifically organizations that support the transgender community, to gather
feedback on design and signage of all gender restrooms. 
1 Gender identity means a person's gender-related identity, appearance, or expression, whether or not
traditionally associated with one's biological sex or one's sex at birth, and includes a person's attitudes,
preferences, beliefs, and practices pertaining thereto. 

Template revised April 12, 2018.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. 9a                                  Page 2 of 3 
Meeting Date: February 26, 2019 
In addition, on December 4, 2018, the working group conducted a focus group with faith-based
community stakeholders. The feedback from stakeholders helped inform the recommendations
included in the plan. 
In January 2019, the working group received a layout study from consultant Architectural
Alliance International on Sea-Tac's restroom program and how all gender restrooms might be
incorporated into the program. The study provided information on potential locations at Sea-
Tac where all gender restrooms may be added within the current footprint. In addition, a cost
estimate was also provided to the working group. 
KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PLAN: 
Recommended Design for All Gender Restrooms in Existing Facilities 
Compartment design: The compartment design features compartments that have a toilet and a
sink (accessible and non-accessible versions) with full height partitions and doors. 
Potential Locations for All Gender Restrooms 
Single-User All Gender Restroom Design and Signage 
1.  GATE D Head  Add one (1) single-user All Gender Restroom using the recommended All
Gender Restroom design and signage. This can be incorporated in the current restroom
renovation project. 
Single-User All Gender Restroom Design without Signage (Future-Proofing in current space) 
1.  GATE B3  Convert one set of restrooms to single-user All Gender Restrooms using the
recommended compartment-style design. The signage will be gendered (male or
female) to accommodate the building code requirements. The gendered signage can be
replaced in the future to the recommended All Gender signage once code is updated. 
2.  GATE C2  Convert one set of restrooms to single-user All Gender Restrooms using the
recommended compartment-style design. The signage will be gendered (male or
female) to accommodate the current building code requirements. The gendered signage
can be replaced in the future to the recommended All Gender signage once building
code is updated. 
3.  GATE D3  Convert one set of restrooms to single-user All Gender Restrooms using the
recommended compartment-style design. The signage will be gendered (male or
female) to accommodate the current building code requirements. The gendered signage
can be replaced in the future to the recommended All Gender signage once building
code is updated. 
Recommended Signage for All Gender Restrooms 
Plumbing fixture icon: The iconography of the western-style plumbing fixture of a restroom is
gender-inclusive and universally recognizable. The icon of a toilet is recognizable to both
international and domestic travelers. Focus group members were in favor of depicting what
was behind the door as it is clear and does not designate who can and cannot use the restroom. 

Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. 9a                                  Page 3 of 3 
Meeting Date: February 26, 2019 
Restroom: The working group agreed that this title described the purpose of the restroom to
serve all users in a simple and straightforward manner. 
All people may use this restroom: This description is favored by the working group. The focus
group did not favor including "regardless of gender identity or expression" as it appears to call
out a minority group who may not necessarily want to be singled out in public for using the
single-user restroom. (Note: For family restrooms, the working group is considering "All people 
and families may use this restroom" as a description). 
Further Considerations 
Cost estimates and construction timelines are included in the All Gender Restroom Plan
however will need further analysis as part of the planning and design phase of the larger
Restroom Renovation Project. In addition, maintenance/janitorial concerns will need to be
further explored as well as throughput and efficiencies with designs. 
The Port complies with the Washington State Building Code requirements. The next cycle for
the State of Washington Building Code Council to make changes to the building code will occur
in January 2021 when they consider adopting the next edition of the International Building
Code (occurs every 3 years). If changes include specifications and/or guidelines for all gender
restrooms, the Port must comply with the new requirement. 

ATTACHMENTS TO THIS BRIEFING 
(1)   Presentation slides 
(2)   Seattle-Tacoma International Airport All Gender Restroom Plan 
(3)   Motion 2018-08 
(4)   Motion 2018-11 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
May 22, 2018  The Commission adopted Motion 2018-08 
September 25, 2018  The Commission adopted Motion 2018-11 
October 23, 2018  The Commission received a briefing update on the plan 





Template revised September 22, 2016.