Ask for it: A resident's playbook for getting a Throne in your neighborhood

"Please bring some to Florida!"

"Please install these at every public park."

"Please expand to San Francisco."

"Amazing! Please keep in Ann Arbor forever!"

"Please please put Throne bathrooms at Anacostia Park & nearby DC parks. Thank you."

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The DMs, emails, and comments keep rolling in. We love the enthusiasm, and we get it.

Public restrooms aren’t a luxury. They are essential.

They determine whether parents can spend a full day at the park. They affect whether delivery drivers can work their routes without worrying where they're going to pee. They impact whether people experiencing homelessness have access to basic sanitation. And they shape whether commuters can move through their city without anxiety.

The lack of clean, accessible restrooms isn't just inconvenient. It's a barrier to participation in public life.

Here's the thing: Throne doesn't just drop units wherever we want. We partner with city governments, transit authorities, and other public agencies to offer Thrones to communities. And that's where you come in. Your voice (and enthusiasm) can bring Throne into your local area, or bring additional Thrones to a city where we are already operating.   

How public restrooms happen

Beyond Thrones, getting new public restrooms built and opened happens with strategic requests and conversations with:

• City governments
• Parks & Recreation departments
• Transit authorities
• Public agencies responsible for sanitation and public space

Building traditional public restrooms is complex. It involves land use approvals, utility access, ongoing maintenance, safety protocols, and sustainable funding. Cities already know that restroom access is a challenge. In the US, we only have about 8 public restrooms per 100,000 people. And while Throne is expanding, we’re new! Not all cities realize we’re a proven solution that significantly reduces the operational and cost burden on their teams. Ultimately, restrooms happen when local agencies choose to prioritize them. And one of the strongest levers to move that priority forward is clear, consistent public demand.

Your voice matters

Here's what we hear from cities all the time: they know public restrooms are a problem, but they often don't know how big a problem or where their residents actually need them most. They tell us people aren’t asking for them, and that makes prioritizing their budget difficult. We chalk the silence up to classic stigma. People are bashful about restroom-related issues and silently put up with terrible conditions instead of speaking up.

You can change that. Adding a Throne to a park or public space often starts with a few organized voices, a well-timed email, or a clear public comment at a city council meeting. Requests get logged, patterns get noticed, and budget conversations follow demand.

You don't need to be a policy expert or an experienced organizer; you just need to help your city understand where restrooms are needed most.

The Throne request playbook

Making your voice heard is easier than you think. Here are our 3 easy steps for requesting a Throne.

Step 1: Identify the right decision-makers

Find your city council member, city manager, Parks & Recreation department, or transit authority. Check your city's website, "Contact Us" pages, or public meeting agendas. Don't stress about finding the "perfect" contact. A good starting point is enough.

Step 2: Make the ask

An email or phone call goes a long way. Keep it simple and include:

• Where the restroom is needed (be specific: "outside the Metro station on 5th Street" or "in Highland Park")
• Who it would serve (commuters, families, park users, delivery drivers, unhoused neighbors)
• Why you think Throne is a good solution (clean, safe, monitored, modern, proven)

Don't overthink it. Even a short, straightforward message helps establish demand. Here is an example to get you started:

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Hi [Name or Department],

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I’m reaching out to request a public restroom in [specific location]. This is a high-traffic area used by [commuters/families/park visitors/delivery drivers/community members], and restroom access would make a big difference for everyone spending time there.

I’d also encourage the city to consider Throne (www.thronelabs.co), a modern public restroom solution that is clean, safe, and professionally maintained. Throne units are already operating successfully in other cities and can help expand access without placing a heavy burden on local staff.

Thank you for your time and for considering this important public need.

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Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Address]

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Step 3: Find your people

One voice is good. A chorus is powerful.

City agencies pay attention when multiple residents make the same request. Whether it's a neighbor, a fellow commuter, a parent from your kid's school, or a regular at your local park, the more people asking, the harder it is to ignore.

Here's how to rally your community:

• Share this guide. Send it to friends, neighbors, or anyone who's ever complained about the lack of restrooms in your area. If they care, they'll act.
• Post in local groups. Nextdoor, Facebook neighborhood groups, community Slack channels, and local subreddits are all great places to spread the word and get a conversation going. A simple post explaining where you think a Throne is needed and asking others to email in can go a long way.
• Talk to people who use that space. Think about who else frequents the location you have in mind (regulars at the park, commuters at your transit stop, vendors at a farmers market). A quick conversation can turn a bystander into an advocate.
• Make it easy for them. Share the email template from Step 2 so they don't have to start from scratch. The lower the barrier, the more likely people are to follow through.

Remember: decision-makers log these requests. When they see ten emails from different people all asking for a restroom at the same location, that's a signal they can't ignore.

Step 4: Tell Throne you asked

Loop us in! Share who you contacted and what location you requested. 

If we are active in your market, we can get a Throne there ASAP. If you are out of a current service area, we can connect with your City and let them know what it takes to get us there. 

Restrooms are a public good, and you're part of the process

Dignified, accessible restrooms where people actually need them, that's the mission. Thank you for caring about something that's often overlooked but deeply human.

Ready to take action? Request a Throne. Share this guide. Reach out with questions or updates. Real change starts by asking for it.

Let's make public space more welcoming together.