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What are permanent provisions for cooking?

mark handler said:
My comment is based off the original post. "Permanent" provisions for cooking.
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Even a stove is not permanent, whenever a remodel occurs, chances are the "appliance" is replaced - so in theory (at least) all appliances are temporary as built in range tops, built in wall ovens etc. are deigned to be removed if necessary for replacement. The only thing that will remain is the point of utility utilization (gas or electric)
If a hood is used, components and the hood may be replaced - but generally the duct work remains unless reconfigured.
If it is a wood burning stove - same concept, the chimney or flue will remain.

Sometimes, I think we may be our own worst enemy whenever we over analyze and fail to let common sense dictate a peaceful harmony between code language and the code intent.

This is a perfect case where permanent provisions are required but even appliances are not permanent. Common sense would dictate utility provisions and any other provisions that may be required such as chimney, mechanical exhaust, etc. are sufficient to indicate the intent for permanent provisions has been made.
 
NFPA staff answer to what is cooking

The final determination on what is considered facilities for cooking will rest with your AHJ. However, in NFPA 101 cooking facilities generally applies to equipment used for the cooking of food and equipment that generates heat is connected to electricity or a fuel source (e.g. stove, oven, hot plates). Generally, an area with equipment solely for reheating food (i.e. microwave) would not be considered a cooking facility.
 
TheCommish said:
NFPA staff answer to what is cooking
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Fair enough, but NFPA is looking at it from a fire hazard point of view. The Building Code or an AHJ might look at it differently, depending on the goal and language of the particular paragraph.
 
Builder Bob said:
Even a stove is not permanent, whenever a remodel occurs,
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Not even walls are permanent. But you cannot not take the words in the code to the Extreme.
I do not know where the verbiage "permanent" is used in the building code to define an ADU or guest room.
 
Sleepy said:
Fair enough, but NFPA is looking at it from a fire hazard point of view. The Building Code or an AHJ might look at it differently, depending on the goal and language of the particular paragraph.
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NFPA 5000 a building code that uses similar language, so I would opine that is it no just fire safety
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jar546 said:
I want to see where the word "provisions" means a receptacle for a stove. I would not agree.
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So what would you agree with? The "Dwelling Unit" definition requires context before a limit on what would be required can be determined. If it is a house, then hookups, gas or electric for a stove along with space for the appliance. If it is an apartment for rent I would expect there to be a stove installed along with a refrigerator and cable TV.

Here in CA. there is a recent permutation of a dwelling unit referred to as a Junior ADU. It has a defined cooking provision. Gas is not allowed and the electrical supply is limited to 120 volts. That sounds like a hot plate, rice cooker and for the upwardly mobile, a microwave. (with convection of course)
 
I think we should keep our interpretations to what is likely. Is it likely that someone forgoes the stove for a welder in the kitchen? Some may, but not many. As other have mentioned, we complete final inspections all the time with no furniture in the building. I am assuming that they are bringing in beds, couches, tables, and a kitchen stove. I do not re-inspect after the building changes hands to make sure the new occupants have these items as well. What if they don't have these items? is it no longer a dwelling unit? Can they not live there now because they don't have furniture?
 
As is stated in #24, and "What is this accessory structure?" context is important in the evaluation of the question at hand.

While sometimes the question posed is to generate discussion, often without context a firm answer is hard to pin down.
 
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If the kitchen sink is removed and there are no kitchen cabinets and it just has an air fryer and a refrigerator, would that be considered OK to allow a dwelling unit fit for human habitation?
 
I have been having many similar conversations. "What if my illegal secondary suite has an open door between the units and we are all roommates"? "What if my illegal secondary suite is for my aging parents and they can use the whole house?" "What if I have a hot plate for my Air BnB instead of a stove"?

This all comes down to definitions, and in our code a "dwelling unit" is defined as a suite operated as a housekeeping unit. Housekeeping unit is not defined.

Of course the sticking point is no matter how it is defined, the matter of unpermitted construction usually remains.
 
jar546 said:
If the kitchen sink is removed and there are no kitchen cabinets and it just has an air fryer and a refrigerator, would that be considered OK to allow a dwelling unit fit for human habitation?
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In my personal opinion, the sink, the air fryer (or microwave) and the refrigerator would qualify it as a kitchen facility for purposes of habitation as a dwelling unit.
Storage is irrelevant.

I had a project with multistory units that required at least one kitchen and one powder room at the primary entry level, due to accessibility requirements. One one unit in the development, a large kitchen was nearly impossible to achieve due to site constraints - - and also the non-accessible upper floor had fantastic views for the large kitchen.
So at the primary entry level foyer we installed a bar sink, an undercounter fridge and a built-in undercounter microwave. It techncially qualified as a "kitchen", and the larger kitchen #2 was provided upstairs. The developer marketed the foyer as having a "wet bar"/"coffee bar" to slake your thirst as you went to and fro each day.
 
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