Google Maps Can Now be Used to Search for Public Restrooms in NYC

Finding a public restroom in New York City would never be a hassle anymore thanks to a new layout feature on Google Maps.

New York City published the new Google Maps layer, "Ur in Luck," on Tuesday as a way to provide New Yorkers and tourists easy access to over 1,000 public restrooms in the city.

The Google Maps layout will show users all the available restrooms across the five boroughs in the city, including several private facilities accessible to the general public.

The Google Maps layer will be updated twice yearly and open-sourced for the public to edit for free.

NYC to Increase Public Access to Restrooms

Mayor Eric Adams touted the project as part of the city's ongoing efforts to make "New York City a little easier and more livable, one public restroom at a time."

This will be in addition to the city's five-year plan to build 46 more public restrooms and renovate 36 existing facilities across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.

New York City is among the most densely populated cities in the US with a monthly average of 4,273 people for foot traffic alone.

More Unique Google Maps Layers

Google Maps has introduced several unique layers across many areas over the years to provide users with easier accessibility to facilities, food hubs, and traffic routes.

Last year, the tech giant rolled out new layers for Maps that would allow users to even see "new environment realities," including solar index, air quality, and pollen rate in cities.

Another useful Google Maps layer is a plug-in that highlights public transport lanes and traffic density, allowing commuters the chance to plan the best route ahead of their travels.

Many of the additional Google Maps layers can be embedded via its dedicated web store. It is worth noting that most additional layers would cost users at least $7 per month to access.