Electrical Outlet Requirements
General Requirements – Walls 2’ or longer require a receptacle, with spacing a maximum of 12’ apart.
Special situations:
Doors and fireplaces creates exceptions to the 12’ requirement - there must be an outlet within 6’ on either side
Windows do not create an exception to the 12’ requirement, if needed, a floor receptacle can be used
Any receptacle within 5 ½’ of the floor meets the requirement of the 12’ spacing
The 12’ requirement includes the distance around all corners
A guard, such as a railing is considered a wall. Floor receptacle can be used in this situation
Kitchen Requirements – any countertop 12” or longer requires a receptacle, with spacing a maximum of 48” apart
Special situations:
Must be a receptacle within 24” from the end of all countertops
Sinks and ranges create exceptions to the 48” requirement – there must be a receptacle within 24” of each side
If there is 18” or more of space behind the sink, a receptacle is required
Island and peninsula countertops that are 12” or wider and 24” or longer must have a receptacle, not more than 12” below the countertop with a maximum overhang of 6”