NYC Rolls Out 17 High-Tech Public Restrooms
The city's $4 million public restroom program features touchless fixtures, time limits and app-based access at 17 locations.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Civic Engagement
Live Poll
Do you think the city should spend more on public restrooms?
New York City has installed 17 high-tech public restrooms manufactured by Throne Labs, which are free to use and open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Residents have given the facilities positive reviews six weeks after launch.
Why it matters
The restrooms address New York's longstanding shortage of public facilities, which have been limited to roughly 1,100 existing restrooms serving about 8.6 million residents. Mayor Mamdani has proposed expanding the network to approximately 2,000 facilities across the city.
The $4 million contract covers all 17 restrooms, with each unit costing $235,000 and about 20,000 recorded uses to date. Average customer satisfaction is reported at four out of five, though the source does not specify the rating methodology or sample size.
The players
Mamdani
Mayor of New York City, who announced the public restroom initiative and proposed expanding it to about 2,000 facilities.
Throne Labs
The company that manufactured the high-tech public restrooms and employs the staff who clean them.
The details
Visitors unlock the doors by scanning a QR code, sending a text or using the free Throne app, and the automatic 10-minute limit triggers spoken reminders at five and eight minutes before the door opens. Reusable access cards are distributed through community organizations for residents without smartphones, and Throne Labs staff clean the facilities after roughly 11 to 16 visits.
Timeline
September: Mayor Mamdani announced the initiative at a press conference.
Six weeks after launch: Residents gave the restrooms positive reviews.
Yearlong pilot: The $4 million contract covers operation of all 17 restrooms.
Civic Engagement Context
The Throne Labs units represent a commercial, app-gated approach to public sanitation, in contrast to traditional staffed or fixed public restrooms. The yearlong pilot will test whether this model can scale toward the proposed 2,000-facility network.
Residents can use the restrooms free from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. by scanning a QR code, texting or using the Throne app, or by requesting a reusable access card through participating community organizations. Those without smartphones should contact local organizations to obtain an access card.
The takeaway
Residents without smartphones can request reusable access cards through community organizations. Users should note the automatic 10-minute time limit when planning their visit.
Further reading
Explore more on how city services are shaping civic engagement across New York City.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Matzav.
Live Poll
Do you think the city should spend more on public restrooms?
