NEC 2023 · Section 210.52
NEC 210.52 — Dwelling Receptacle Outlet Placement
Where 125V, 15A and 20A receptacle outlets are required in dwelling units. These are the spacing rules behind rough-in layout — and the ones inspectors walk the walls checking.
Requirements by Area
Paraphrased summary of the placement rules — verify details and exceptions in your codebook.
| Area | Placement Rule |
|---|---|
| General wall space — 210.52(A) | No point along the floor line of any wall more than 6 ft from a receptacle — so receptacles land at most 12 ft apart. Any wall space 2 ft or wider counts. |
| Kitchen wall countertops — 210.52(C)(1) | Every wall counter space 12 in. or wider gets a receptacle; no point along the wall line more than 24 in. from one (max 4 ft spacing). |
| Islands & peninsulas — 210.52(C)(2) | NEC 2023 no longer requires a receptacle. If one is installed, it must be on or above the countertop surface, or below it only under the specific conditions in 210.52(C)(3). |
| Bathrooms — 210.52(D) | At least one receptacle within 3 ft of the outside edge of each basin, on a wall or partition adjacent to the basin (or in/on the counter). |
| Outdoors — 210.52(E) | One- and two-family dwellings: a receptacle at the front and back, not more than 6½ ft above grade. Balconies, decks, and porches accessible from inside also need one. |
| Laundry — 210.52(F) | At least one receptacle for laundry equipment. |
| Garages — 210.52(G)(1) | At least one receptacle in each vehicle bay, not more than 5½ ft above the floor. |
| Basements — 210.52(G)(3) | At least one receptacle in each separate unfinished portion. |
| Hallways — 210.52(H) | Hallways 10 ft or longer need at least one receptacle. |
| Foyers — 210.52(I) | Foyers over 60 sq ft: a receptacle on each wall space 3 ft or wider. |
Field Notes
- • The 6-ft rule exists so no cord has to stretch more than 6 ft — measure along the wall line, around corners, counting doorways as breaks in wall space.
- • Fixed room dividers and railings count as wall space; sliding-panel space counts too.
- • Floor receptacles count toward the wall spacing only if within 18 in. of the wall.
- • Required dwelling receptacles in most of these areas also carry AFCI (210.12), GFCI (210.8), and tamper-resistance (406.12) obligations — placement is only half the inspection.
- • Kitchen and dining receptacles ride on at least two 20A small-appliance circuits (210.11(C)(1)); bathroom receptacles need their own 20A circuit (210.11(C)(3)).
Laying out a rough-in and hit an odd wall?
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