• Welcome to The Building Code Forum

    Your premier resource for building code knowledge.

    This forum remains free to the public thanks to the generous support of our Sawhorse Members and Corporate Sponsors. Their contributions help keep this community thriving and accessible.

    Want enhanced access to expert discussions and exclusive features? Learn more about the benefits here.

    Ready to upgrade? Log in and upgrade now.

Kitchen Counter Top Electrical Outlets

D

David Henderson

REGISTERED
Joined
Oct 21, 2009
Messages
415
Location
Albany, CA.
Replacing cabinets, counter tops, and flooring, no plumbing, or electrical. Do you require the 4' spacing on the GFCI's then?What say you all?
 
Must be plumbing if removing old sink base cabinet....

I say if there is a permit pulled, yes comply w/ the gfci requirements
 
If you are simply replacing the sink, from the supply stops on, no permit required, so no upgrade to electrical would be required.

That being said, sounds like it would be a good time for it though.
 
I would even go as far as saying if there was no electrical permit pulled and the electric was not touched, I am not sure who would enforce it.
 
Agree with you all. Some of these older homes don't have the proper amount of outlets let alone GFCI's.Trying to get a concensus, of what most of you guy's do. Got a pretty good reaming yesterday for requiring it from a homeowner. won't be the first or last time.
 
If the counter top configuration is not changing, there is no authority to require new electrical work. If electrical work is being done, the new work THEY CHOOSE to do must comply. If countertops are changing configuration, only then must they must provide receptacle distribution as required based on the new configuration.
 
As the countertops are the driver for the receptacles......if they are adding counter, they add receptacles and GFCI protect them.... Posted at the same time as above.....and agree...
 
R105.2; None of the work described would require a permit in including replacement of plumbing and electrical.

Did California adopt and amended IRC Appendix J or if applicable IBC chapter 34?

Francis
 
I agree. If the counters are being replaced nd the configuration is the same then I see no way that you can be forced to do any electrical work on it. BTW some areas around here have made home owner get permits for changing their cabinets. I guess if you uninstall a sink and add a new one it must be inspected but I don't know why they made them get a building permit.
 
We do not require a Building permit if all that's being done is replacing the cabinets.

A plumbing permit for a sink is sorta chicken-***** so that gets missed a lot.

All ya gotta do is ask and they'll tell you that the electrical is identical to what it was originally ......so no permit there.

You're home free.

Kitchen remodels are a dime a dozen. I don't hear tell about them http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A6ar44Ecec

Maybe 10% of them get permits or .....even ask.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
reconfiguration of cabinets,and counter tops. Francis don't know if you were talking about new devices or wiring, new plumbing under the sink... no
 
Francis Vineyard said:
Replacement of plumbing and electrical were to be included.
Click to expand...
I would require GFCI if they are upgrading the electrical in a kitchen. That said, replacing a sink, countertop, or cabinets, no. I do however suggest that they add GFCI.

Sue
 
If they are adding, extending or modifying the electrical, the GFCI and 210.52(B) is more than a suggestion.

The original question was cabinetry only.
 
Dennis said:
I agree. If the counters are being replaced nd the configuration is the same then I see no way that you can be forced to do any electrical work on it. BTW some areas around here have made home owner get permits for changing their cabinets. I guess if you uninstall a sink and add a new one it must be inspected but I don't know why they made them get a building permit.
Click to expand...
gfretwell said:
If they are adding, extending or modifying the electrical, the GFCI and 210.52(B) is more than a suggestion. The original question was cabinetry only.
Click to expand...
True and there are answers if they were to get a permit were it not required.

Almost every year since my employment as a code official parents from out of state of new UVA students pull permits for exempt work such as this and we do not require they change the existing receptacles to GFCI under the Administrative section of the code for alterations.

Alterations are changes made to the structure other than mechanical. Is that the same direction with new counters E3401.4 Additions and alterations?

Francis

 
Last edited by a moderator:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top