No More Scrolling: NYC Public Restrooms to Automatically Open After 10 Minutes

Is New York’s 10-Minute Public Bathroom Rule a Good Idea?

New York City is trying a new approach to its public restroom shortage: 17 modular bathrooms across all five boroughs as part of a $4 million, one-year pilot. The ADA-accessible units will be free and open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. But there’s one unusual rule: users have about 10 minutes before the door automatically opens.

The Case for the Idea

Mayor Zohran Mamdani says the modular bathrooms can provide more facilities without the enormous infrastructure costs associated with traditional city restrooms. The units do not require direct connections to water, sewer, or power systems. Throne Labs, the company behind the technology, says 81% of users finish within five minutes, while more than 95% at one Los Angeles location finish within 10 minutes.

The system provides warnings at five and eight minutes, followed by flashing lights and audio announcements before the door opens.

"This is not a place to scroll on your phone. I know that many people do that. This isn't one of them," Mamdani said.

NY Daily News via Getty Images

The Case Against It

The biggest concern is privacy and dignity. While the system reportedly gives users a 30-second warning before opening the door, someone who needs additional time could still find themselves in an embarrassing situation. Long Beach, California, which uses the same technology, received at least one complaint from a user who said they were nearly caught inside when the timer expired.

Medical emergencies or other unexpected situations could also make a strict time limit problematic.

So, Good Idea or Bad Idea?

The pilot addresses a genuine need, but its success may depend on whether the 10-minute limit works for all users. If the bathrooms remain clean, safe, and accessible without creating embarrassing situations, the approach could offer a practical alternative to expensive permanent facilities. The real test will be how New Yorkers respond once they use the bathrooms regularly.