United Group Insurance

House bill makes one-bathroom waivers for bars and restaurants permanent

News

February 17th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — Legislators are considering how many bathrooms should be required in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol. Current law requires establishments that serve beer, wine and liquor to have a men’s AND a women’s bathroom. A bill that’s cleared a House subcommittee would require just one bathroom for all patrons. Representative Cherielynn Westrich, a Republican from Ottumwa, says she understands the state grants waivers for taverns, bars and restaurants that have just one toilet, but the bill makes that policy permanent.

Bill backers say entrepreneurs may not know they can apply for a waiver from the two-bathroom rule and that may be keeping some Iowans from opening a bar or a restaurant with a bar menu.