On July 12, 2025, two New York City Council bills, Introduction 272-A and 573-A, were automatically enacted into law as Local Laws 92 and 93 of 2025, respectively, 30 days after being passed by the Council and sent to the mayor.
These laws aim to improve public health and quality of life by enhancing access to public restrooms and drinking water in public spaces across the city.
Local Law 92 (formerly Introduction 272-A) amends the city’s public bathroom strategy, originally outlined in Local Law 114 of 2022, to require regular updates in strategic planning reports. These updates will detail all active or planned capital projects for installing public restrooms at designated sites.
The law, effective immediately, ensures greater transparency by providing the public and City Council with clear insights into the progress of these projects, including timelines and maintenance plans. The overarching goal is to increase the number of public restrooms citywide to 2,120 within the next 10 years.
Council Member Rita Joseph emphasized the importance of this legislation, stating, “Expanding transparency and accountability in our citywide bathroom strategy is not only about infrastructure, it is a step forward towards improving public health, and the quality of life in our city.”
Local Law 93 (formerly Introduction 573-A) mandates that the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) install at least 50 new outdoor drinking fountains in public parks by June 1, 2035. This law, also effective immediately, builds on the DPR’s current management of over 3,400 outdoor drinking fountains.
The new fountains will be strategically placed near park entrances to improve accessibility to free, high-quality drinking water. Council Member Gale A. Brewer, a key proponent of the law, highlighted its significance: “New Yorkers shouldn’t have to purchase a single-use bottle of water because there’s no public option available in city parks. My new law will add durable and permanent drinking fountains near entrances to parks citywide.”
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Susan Shrestha
View More PostsSusan Shrestha is a Europe-based journalist. He covers a wide range of topics, from local matters to global affairs. Shrestha previously worked as a reporter for Khasokhas in Nepal.
