In Las Vegas restaurants and bathrooms, there must adhere to specific permitting requirements to ensure compliance with health and safety standards.
Key considerations include:
Restroom Quantity and Accessibility:
- Number of Restrooms: Restaurants with a liquor license are required to provide at least one men’s and one women’s restroom. The size and number of stalls depend on the establishment’s seating capacity. Notably, men’s restrooms must include at least one urinal, regardless of the venue’s size.
- Accessibility: Restrooms must be designed to accommodate individuals with disabilities. This includes features such as doorways at least 32 inches wide, doors operable with a force of 5 pounds or less, and at least one toilet stall that is 60 inches wide with a toilet height between 17 and 19 inches.
Location and Design:
- Proximity to Food Preparation Areas: Employee restrooms cannot be adjacent to or open directly into kitchen areas to prevent the spread of airborne bacteria. This regulation, known as “air balance,” ensures that restrooms are there to maintain sanitary conditions in food preparation zones.
- Restroom Doors: Doors that open directly into the main dining area must be tight-fitting to prevent the airborne spread of bacteria.
Cleanliness and Maintenance:
- Regular Maintenance: Consistent and regular checks for maintenance and cleanliness are mandatory. Las Vegas restaurant owners are responsible for ensuring that restrooms are always clean and well-maintained.
Additional Considerations:
- Handwashing Facilities: Hand sinks must be conveniently located within all food preparation areas, including bars. Each hand sink should be a separate, wall-hung unit with tempered or hot and cold running water, soap and towel dispensers, and a seal to the wall. There should be at least 18 inches of separation between the sink and any food-contact surface.
- Lighting: At least 20-foot candles (215 lux) of light are mandatory in dining areas during cleaning operations, equipment storage areas, dry food storage areas, sales areas, and toilet rooms.
Refer to the Southern Nevada Health District’s Equipment and Facilities General Requirements for comprehensive guidelines.
Adhering to these requirements is essential for obtaining and maintaining the necessary permits to operate a Las Vegas restaurant.