Trusted by 237K+ Business Worldwide. Find a Location
Trusted by 237,000+businesses worldwide across 250 locations delivering uniforms, linens and more. Find a Location Near You
Delivering Excellence Since 1910
Contact Us
Updated
NZ Building Code Clause G1 | Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
How Many Toilets Does a Workplace Need?
The Guidelines for the Provision of Facilities and General Safety and Health in Commercial & Industrial Premises set the minimum toilet requirements for NZ employers. The number depends on your headcount and whether your workforce is mixed or single-gender.
Minimum toilets required by employee count
If your workplace has fewer than 15 employees total, separate male and female washrooms are not mandatory. A single unisex washroom with a locking door meets the minimum requirement.
| Female employees | Toilets required | Male employees | Toilets required | Urinals required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–15 | 1 | 1–20 | 1 | 1 (1–15 males) |
| 16–20 | 2 | 21–30 | 2 | 2 (16–30 males) |
| 21–40 | 3 | 31–60 | 3 | 3 (31–60 males) |
| 41–60 | 4 | 61–90 | 4 | 4 (61–90 males) |
| 61–80 | 5 | 91–120 | 5 | 5 (91–120 males) |
Beyond the Count — What Else Is Required
The number of toilets is just the start. Every NZ workplace washroom must also provide:
-
Warm water supply at every washbasin -
Soap dispensers or hand-washing soap -
Toilet paper dispensers -
Adequate hand-drying equipment (paper towels or dryers) -
Sanitary disposal facilities for female staff -
Adequate ventilation and lighting
Hygiene compliance counts: Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, employers are required to maintain facilities in a clean and hygienic condition. A toilet that meets the count requirement but is poorly maintained can still trigger a WorkSafe notice.
How Many Toilets Should a School Have?
The NZ Government does not set strict legislation for school toilet numbers, but provides guidelines under the NZ Building Code Clause G1:
- 1 toilet and washbasin per 10 students under 5 (pre-school)
- 1 toilet and washbasin per 20 students aged 5–11 (primary)
- 1 toilet and washbasin per 20 students aged over 11 (secondary)
Schools with more than 61 students must provide access to a wash-hand basin with hot and cold water. Changing and shower areas are required only in secondary schools where PE classes are held.
Commercial Buildings, Restaurants & Venues
For non-workplace buildings, requirements come from the NZ Building Code Clause G1 Personal Hygiene. Select your venue type below.
Restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, tea rooms
Minimum 1 toilet and 1 washbasin per 15 persons for both men and women as a general rule. Full requirements by count:
| Women | WC pans (F) | Men | WC pans (M) | Urinals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–15 | 1 | 1–15 | 1 | 1 (1–100) |
| 16–90 | 2 | 16–80 | 2 | 2 (101–340) |
| 91–170 | 3 | >80 | +1 per 100 | 3 (341–600) |
| >170 | +1 per 100 | — | — | +1 per 280 (>600) |
The Count Is the Minimum — Hygiene Is the Standard
Meeting the toilet ratio is just compliance. The condition of your washrooms says far more about your business than the number of cubicles. A well-maintained washroom with stocked dispensers, proper odour control, and hygienic sanitary disposal signals professionalism. A neglected one — even if technically compliant on numbers — reflects poorly on your brand and your duty of care to staff.
Alsco’s managed washroom services take the ongoing maintenance off your plate entirely. Regular servicing of consumables, sanitary bins, hand care dispensers, and air fresheners — all on a scheduled cycle, all at a fixed cost. See the full range at our Washroom Services NZ page.
Related Articles
Keep your washrooms stocked, clean, and compliant.
Alsco manages sanitary bins, soap dispensers, consumables, and air care on a scheduled service cycle. Nationwide. No upfront costs.
Read More
Work Uniforms for Every Industry in New Zealand | Alsco Uniforms NZ
WorkSafe NZ First Aid Requirements: The Complete 2026 Employer Guide
