The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 – Section 20 allows that a local authority may serve a Notice on an owner or occupier of a “Relevant Place” (see below) within their area requiring him:

1. In a specified time in a specified position to provide sanitary accommodation of specified kinds and number;
2. To maintain and clean such items; and
3. To provide and maintain a proper supply of such things for use in connection with the appliances as are specified (this may be or include cold water or hot water or both);
4. To make the facilities available to customers, if required to, free of charge.

“RELEVANT PLACE” MEANS:

1. A place which is normally used or is proposed to be normally used for any of the following purposes, namely:-
   1. The holding of any entertainment, exhibition or sporting event to which members of the public are admitted either as spectators or otherwise; and
   2. The sale of food or drink to members of the public for consumption at the place.
2. A place which is used on some occasion or occasions or is proposed to be used on some occasion or occasions for any of the purposes aforesaid; and
3. A betting office.

NOTE:

Where specific legal standards already exist requiring the provision of sanitary accommodation, eg Licensing Act 2003, Health Safety and Welfare Regulations 1999, these requirements will take precedence over the general provisions mentioned in this document.

GENERAL

1. The calculations for facilities are based on:-
   1. The assumption that there is a split occupancy 50/50 (Male/Female), this should only vary where there is evidence that a certain class of premises is occupied by predominantly male or female public eg bingo halls – female; football – male.
   2. The maximum occupation by members of the public
      1. Maximum seating accommodation; or
      2. Maximum permitted numbers set by the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.
2. In premises where persons are required under this legislation to provide sanitary accommodation, then regard should be had to the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Acts 1995 and 2005. Sanitary accommodation will need to be adapted to allow disabled persons to access and use the facility. For current technical advice on how to achieve this please contact the Building Control Officer of Rother District Council.
3. Any sanitary accommodation serving distinctly separate parts of premises shall be provided with a wash-hand basin, even though the number of basins may then exceed the aggregate requirement.
4. All wash-hand basins shall be provided with hot and cold running water and be provided with soap and adequate hand drying facilities.
5. Suitable and sufficient facilities should be provided for the disposal of sanitary dressings.

STAFF SANITARY ACCOMMODATION

Additional to the requirements mentioned in this Code, where persons are employed to work there is an obligation on the employer to provide sanitary accommodation for employees. The Health Safety and Welfare Regulations 1999 prescribe the number of conveniences required for further details please contact this office.

STANDARDS IN PREMISES ATTENDED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC RESTAURANTS, CAFES, ETC

PUBLIC HOUSES, CLUBS, ETC

Betting Shops

1 WC and 1 WHB for up to 100 persons using the shop at one time.

FETES, SHOWS, POINTS-TO-POINT MEETINGS, COUNTRY HOUSES ETC

The following standards are for guidance only and do not apply to large events where organisers are advised to contact the Environmental Health Officer to agree a suitable provision.

1 WC per 150 and 1 Urinal per 100 males plus 1 WC per 100 females should be provided for the anticipated numbers. One wash hand basin to be provided for each WC provided. For one-day events chemical closets can be used in place of WCs.

Footnote

These standards do not require existing toilets for customers to be suitable of disabled persons. But service providers should seek their own legal advice about compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act 2005