The National Electrical Code has detailed requirements on where you must place receptacles. Let’s first dig into the requirements for placing receptacle outlets in dwelling units.

Receptacle outlets—general

The NEC requires receptacle outlets to be installed in specific locations and/or in specific quantities. Part III of Article 210 goes into extensive requirements for receptacles in dwelling units. 

The first requirement is simple: receptacle outlets must be installed within 6 feet of appliances such as washing machines, dryers, garage door openers and refrigerators [210.50(C)].

Dwelling unit wall space receptacle outlets

A receptacle outlet must be installed along the walls of every kitchen, family room, dining room, living room, sunroom, parlor, library, den, bedroom, recreation room, etc., per the requirements of 210.52(A)(1) through (5). 

The wall space receptacle outlet must be installed so that no point along the floor line of any wall is more than 6 feet from a receptacle outlet measured horizontally along the floor line [210.52(A)(1)]. See Figure 1.

Figure 1

A wall space as used in this rule includes the following [210.52(A)(2)(1) through (3)]: 

• A wall space 2 feet or more in width unbroken along the floor line 
• The space occupied by fixed panels
• The space occupied by fixed room dividers, freestanding bar-type counters or railings

Kitchen receptacle outlet

All required receptacles in the kitchen, pantry, breakfast room and dining room area of a dwelling unit must be supplied by two or more 20A, 120V small-appliance branch circuits that do not supply any other outlets [210.52(B)(1)].

Receptacles in kitchen countertop surfaces must be supplied by at least two small-appliance branch circuits [210.52(B)(3)]. 

The two 20A, 120V small-appliance branch circuits can supply receptacle outlets in the same kitchen, pantry, breakfast room or dining room area as specified in 210.52(B)(1). 

Countertop receptacle outlet

In dwelling unit kitchens, pantries, breakfast rooms and dining rooms, receptacle outlets must be installed for countertops 12 inches or wider and meet the following requirements:

• The countertop receptacle outlets cannot be used to meet the wall space receptacle outlets required by 210.52(A) [210.52(C)].
• The countertop receptacle outlet must be placed so that no point along the wall space is more than 2 feet from a receptacle outlet, as measured horizontally [210.52(C)(1)].

A receptacle outlet is not required for island or peninsular countertops. If a receptacle outlet is not installed, electrical provisions for the future addition of a receptacle outlet are required [210.52(C)(2)]. 

A receptacle outlet at island or peninsular countertops, if installed, must be located above or within the countertop, as follows [210.52(C)(3)]:

• Receptacle outlets can be on or not more than 20 inches above the countertop.
• Receptacle outlets on the countertop surface must be a receptacle outlet assembly listed for use on a countertop.

Receptacle outlets are not permitted to be located within 24 inches below the countertop surface [210.52(C)(4)]. See Figure 2. 

Figure 2

Bathroom sink receptacle outlet

At least one 15A or 20A, 125V receptacle outlet must be within 3 feet of each dwelling unit bathroom sink. The receptacle outlet must be on a wall or partition adjacent to the bathroom sink countertop surface or the side or face of the sink cabinet and cannot be more than 12 inches below the top of the sink countertop [210.52(D)].

Outdoor receptacle outlet

For one-and two-family dwellings or multifamily dwellings, one outdoor receptacle outlet must be located at the front and back of each dwelling unit (two receptacles in total) and they must be readily accessible and no more than 6½ feet above grade [210.52(E)(1)].

At least one receptacle outlet must be located not more than 6½ feet above any balcony, deck or porch surface located within 4 inches of the dwelling unit [210.52(E)(3)]. 

Laundry receptacle outlet

Each dwelling unit must have one receptacle outlet in the area where laundry equipment is located [210.52(F)]. A laundry receptacle outlet is not required for a multifamily dwelling building with laundry facilities available to all occupants [210.52(F), Exception 1].

Other area receptacle outlet

For one- and two-family or multifamily dwellings, at least one receptacle outlet must be installed for each vehicle bay of a garage, accessory building and each unfinished portion of a basement per 210.52(G)(1) through (3). 

Hallway receptacle outlet

At least one receptacle outlet must be installed in each dwelling unit hallway that is 10 feet or more in length (measured along the centerline of the hallway without passing through a doorway) [210.52(H)]. 

Foyer receptacle outlet

Dwelling unit foyers having an area greater than 60 square feet must have a receptacle outlet installed on any wall space that is 3 feet or more in width, and unbroken by doorways, windows next to doors that extend to the floor and similar openings [210.52(I)]. 

Air conditioning and refrigeration equipment

A 15A or 20A, 125V receptacle outlet must be installed within 25 feet and on the same level as the air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. The 15A or 20A, 125V receptacle outlet is not permitted to be connected to the load side of the equipment’s disconnecting means [210.63(A)]. 

Indoor electrical equipment

In other than dwelling units, a 15A or 20A, 125V receptacle outlet must be installed within 25 feet and in the same room (or area) as indoor switchboards, panelboards and service equipment operating at less than 150V to ground (120/240V or 208Y/120V) [210.63(B)]. 

Dwelling unit lighting outlets

At least one lighting outlet controlled by a wall switch must be installed in every habitable room, kitchen, laundry area and bathroom. The wall switch must be on a wall near an entrance to the room [210.70(A)(1)]. See Figure 3.

Figure 3

At least one lighting outlet controlled by a wall switch must be installed in hallways, stairways, garages and accessory buildings with electric power [210.70(A)(2)]. 

Other lighting outlets

At least one lighting outlet that contains a switch or is controlled by a wall switch must be installed in attics, underfloor spaces, utility rooms and basements used for storage or containing equipment that requires servicing. In addition, it must comply with the following [210.70(C)(1) through (3)]:

• The switch must be located at the entry to the space.
• The lighting outlet for servicing of equipment must be located at or near the equipment
• Controlled by automatic means is not permitted unless a manual bypass is provided.

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