Provision of toilets for eating and drinking premises
If you are providing facilities such as a café or restaurant, Chichester District Council requires the following minimum standards on toilet provision to be achieved. If you are starting a new food business or redeveloping an existing business you should highlight these minimum standards to your architect or building designer as well as your building regulations inspector. The requirement is for the business operator to comply with the minimum standard.
In some circumstances, such as where the business is focussed around vertical drinking, a higher standard may be required. If you have any questions you should contact mailto:healthprotection@chichester.gov.uk.
Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 Section 20
Number of covers | Male toilet provision | Female toilet provision | Accessible toilet provision (unisex) with WHB | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water closet | Urinal | Wash hand basin | Water closet | Wash hand basin |
| |
1-25* | One Water closet with Wash hand Basin that is accessible as defined by Document M of the Building Regulations. (opens new window) | ||||||
26-60 | 1 | Not required. | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
61-100 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
101-120 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | |
120+ | Please contact Chichester District Council or refer to BS6465-4 | ||||||
* In certain circumstances the council may agree to a relaxation of this standard, having taken into account the following criteria:
- Nature of food provided; and
- Number and type of customer seats provided; and
- Proximity of other sanitary accommodation available to customers
Any such agreement must be obtained from the Housing and Environment Services department in writing.
Please remember, in addition to the above:
- Each toilet should be provided with a wash hand basin with adequate supplies of hot and cold, or appropriately mixed, running water, soap and hygienic hand drying facilities.
- Toilets should not lead directly into rooms in which food is prepared or eaten. This means that there should be a lobby with two doors between the lavatory and the food room, and is required by the European Food Law.
Notes:
- The above assumes that the accessible toilet is unisex and is available to all customers.
- This standard relates to restaurants, cafes and other areas for eating and drinking. For more information on WC standards for hotels, hospitals, public houses etc. you may wish to refer directly to British Standard BS6465-4.
- This webpage meets the requirements of Environmental Health legislation. For new buildings or where major refurbishment is carried out, a higher standard of toilet provision may be required under Building Regulations. Standards enforced under the building regulations can be seen in the relevant Building Regulation approved documents (opens new window). (Note approved document M part 2 refers to accessible WC provision).
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