Is a kitchen without a countertop and without countertop receptacles allowed per 2017 NEC?

[dissonant]

Hello everyone. I'm working on a small 5 story apartment complex where an architect has shown NO countertop space in the kitchen for a couple of the units. I personally think this is absurd as I don't see how a kitchen is useful without a countertop for kitchen prep space or small appliances such as a microwave, toaster or coffee maker. My question is does the NEC actually require a countertop receptacle? I clearly see that the 210.52(B)(1) requires two 20A small appliance branch circuits. I also clearly see that 210.52(C)(1) requires any countertop space 12" or wider requires a receptacle and that a minimum of 2 branch circuits will supply those countertop surfaces per 210.52(B)(3). However, given the exception shown in 210.52(C)(1), if you have a kitchen that is only a fridge, range and sink (no countertop space except maybe the few inches around the sink) does that mean that there is no requirement for a countertop receptacle? Please tell me if I am looking in the wrong area and missing where it is required.

 

[petersonra]

Imo, the area surrounding the sink is countertop, even if very small.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

If there are no countertops then I don't believe a receptacle is required. Code states ANY countertop space 12" or wider---No countertop no receptacles. Very bad design and an excellent question. If there is wall space then you would be required to have the 2 small appliance branch circuit

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Imo, the area surrounding the sink is countertop, even if very small.

It would have to be 12" or more for a receptacle to be required

 

[Hv&Lv]

He missed it..
Countertops are required by most building codes.

ADA requires them also.
Something like 30” for the sink and 30” for prep space

 

[kwired]

He missed it..
Countertops are required by most building codes.

ADA requires them also.
Something like 30” for the sink and 30” for prep space

majority of what I work on we do have electrical inspection via state inspectors, but there is nobody enforcing much if any other building codes. Zoning related inspections is about it on a dwelling. Things like distances from roads or other properties is about all that they are after. Agricultural buildings and commercial/industrial buildings, they don't really inspect much either other than things that relate to waste management or spills of hazardous materials and such. Places with public access the state fire marshal will look at egress aspects and especially in places of higher occupancy look into things related to slowing down spread of smoke/fire.

 

[winnie]

So: the NEC does not require a countertop, but other building code (which may or may not be enforced) do.

Personally a kitchen without a countertop is a horrible design.

At the very least, and possibly only as a design decision, I would put receptacles at countertop level and spacing on any wall where someone could push a table to use as a countertop.

Jon

 

[roger]

So: the NEC does not require a countertop, but other building code (which may or may not be enforced) do.



Jon

Kind of like luminaires. Except for very few areas the NEC does not require fixtures but other codes do.

 

[kwired]

So: the NEC does not require a countertop, but other building code (which may or may not be enforced) do.

Personally a kitchen without a countertop is a horrible design.

At the very least, and possibly only as a design decision, I would put receptacles at countertop level and spacing on any wall where someone could push a table to use as a countertop.

Jon

Same here. Now if there isn't even room for that, it really is a horrible design. When I was in college I lived in this tiny house that was on same property as another house. My guess is it was originally living quarters for household help, grandmother, or something of that nature. It had wall hung sink with no counters adjacent, in fact there was doorway on each side so no room for a counter. But they did have rather small counter in a different location in the kitchen at least. Bath was a closet with a toilet and a sink, so small and crammed into that space you could sit on toilet and use the sink at same time. No tub no shower. There was a full open basement that had a more modern shower enclosure (at the time) that I am guessing was not original to the house.

 

[rc/retired]

NEC definition of a kitchen, An area with a sink and permanent provisions for food preparation and cooking.
Now, can I prepare food without a countertop? Probably, somewhere else in a dwelling.
But then that wouldn't meet the definition of a kitchen. Would it?

Ron

 

[kwired]

NEC definition of a kitchen, An area with a sink and permanent provisions for food preparation and cooking.
Now, can I prepare food without a countertop? Probably, somewhere else in a dwelling.
But then that wouldn't meet the definition of a kitchen. Would it?

Ron

Many don't know how to apply "permanent provisions for food preparation and cooking"

Provisions for preparation is definitely subjective. If you one of those people that preparation is removing from packaging you generally don't need much at all. Cooking - some think a microwave only is enough to make it a kitchen, others will think it must have a cooktop, oven or even both.

I suppose you could put in some permanent pit in which to start fires to cook over and that can also fall into fulfilling permanent provisions for cooking. Now raise the perimeter around at least part of this fire pit and there you have a work surface for preparation

 

[rc/retired]

You know, I always thought/hoped definitions were so.........defining.
But on this site, definitions can also be subjective. Hahaha

Ron

 

[LarryFine]

You know, I always thought/hoped definitions were so.........defining.
But on this site, definitions can also be subjective. Hahaha

Not just here, but in the field. Thus the existence of this forum.

 

[Hv&Lv]

Here is from California building code

 

[LarryFine]

Here is from California building code

I'd like to see the rest of the exception.

 

[wwhitney]

Here is from California building code

The details of your citation would be helpful. I believe it's Section 1133A.4 of the California Building Code.

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up.codes

That doesn't apply to a single family dwelling unit (they are subject to the Residential Code), but would apply to multifamily, as in the OP (if it were in CA).

Cheers, Wayne

 

[Hv&Lv]

I'd like to see the rest of the exception.

Crap.. I thought I took a better screenshot than that..
Wayne has the code numbers.

 

[Tulsa Electrician]

I would like to see the layout.

 

[dissonant]

Thanks for all the action on this post! To address some of the comments, it might be possible to prep food on top of the stove (say you had a glass top stove) but then you'd have to put said food into the refrigerator or on a table somewhere else when you start using the stove. Regarding CA code, I'm not in CA but in HI. Regarding request to see the layout, please see excerpt attached showing the two kitchens in question. Note there seems to be a space by the door opening before the stove, which the architect says is for "accessibility requirements" and therefore cannot be a small cabinet with a countertop.

 

[Sea Nile]

, it might be possible to prep food on top of the stove (say you had a glass top stove)

If I had the misfortune of living there, I would get a cover that fit over the sink to use as a counter top.