Introducing the “Philly Phlush,” the City’s public restroom pilot | Department of Public Health
Like many U.S. cities, Philadelphia doesn't have enough public restrooms to meet the demand . Public restrooms are important for all members of the community. They help to make public spaces accessible to everyone.
Historically, the City has addressed the need for public restrooms in Philadelphia by maintaining temporary portable restrooms (porta-potties) in high-traffic areas. Now, the City's five-year budget includes funding to support a pilot project for a new type of public restroom: the "Philly Phlush." The goal of this pilot is to provide a permanent, well-maintained option that is more attractive to a broad group of people. This includes families, tourists, businesses, and underserved individuals.
For this pilot, Philadelphia has selected a stand-alone restroom model that has been installed in over 20 cities and is known for being durable and easy to clean. The model discourages crime with graffiti-proof walls and open grating that shows just enough to see if and how many people are inside. The model is ADA compliant, and it can fit a bicycle, a stroller, or two adults and a child.
There are currently two Philly Phlush locations in Philadelphia. Funding for the pilot will support the expansion of the pilot through summer 2026.
Philly Phlush Locations
NameAddressHoursHoliday HoursCenter City Public Restroom1401 John F Kennedy Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19102Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.Saturday – Sunday 8 a.m. – 11 p.m.9 a.m. – 5 p.m.North Philadelphia Public RestroomFotterall Square 2400 N. 11th St. Philadelphia, PA 19133Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.Saturday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.10 a.m. – 4 p.m.West Philadelphia Public Restroom(opening date to be determined)
Clark Park 1101 S. 45th Street Philadelphia, PA 19143(hours to be determined)(holiday hours to be determined)For more detailed instructions on how to find each restroom and locate all of its features, visit Helping you find and use the City's "Philly Phlush" public restrooms .
Inside the Philly Phlush
Each public restroom in Philadelphia's pilot includes the following features:
Two views of a Philly Phlush public restroom.
Cleaning and maintaining the Philly Phlush
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health's Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction (SUPHR) division has three full-time staff to clean and maintain the public restrooms. These public restroom specialists previously cleaned the City's porta potties and have transitioned to maintaining the permanent models. They are a visible presence in communities and work to engage individuals and connect them to critical resources like shelter, food, treatment, and clothing. Find out more about SUPHR and other harm reduction efforts.
Public restroom specialists from the Department of Public Health.
The public restroom specialists lock each unit at night and unlock them in the morning. The public restrooms are cleaned when they are opened, closed, and multiple times throughout the day. If the public restrooms need to be cleaned, restocked, or repaired outside of the regular schedule, users can:
