Wall receptacle spacing in homes (the 6-ft rule)

What the code requires

This rule applies to the main rooms of a home: bedrooms, living and family rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, dens, libraries, parlors, sunrooms, recreation rooms and similar rooms or areas. In those rooms, every point along the floor line of a wall space must be within 6 ft, measured horizontally, of a receptacle outlet.

Wall space is any wall section 2 ft or more wide, including space measured around corners, that is not interrupted by doorways or similar openings, fireplaces, stationary appliances, or fixed cabinets without countertops or work surfaces. Fixed wall panels count as wall space; sliding panels do not. Fixed room dividers, like freestanding bar counters or railings, also count.

Two kinds of receptacles do not count toward this spacing: floor receptacles more than 18 in. from the wall, and receptacles installed to serve countertops and work surfaces under 210.52(C).

On the job

• A fixed cabinet that has a countertop on it still counts as wall space under the 2023 NEC, so it does not break up the wall for spacing.
• Bathrooms, garages and outdoor areas have their own receptacle rules elsewhere in 210.52.
• The 2026 NEC drops the countertop-cabinet distinction, but California's 2025 code is based on the 2023 NEC, so the 2023 rule applies in California.

What changed in 2023

The 2023 NEC added stationary appliances to the list of things that break up wall space.

Related sections

• NEC 210.52(C): Kitchen countertop and island receptacles
• NEC 210.52(D): Bathroom receptacle near the sink
• NEC 210.11(C)(1)
• NEC 406.12: Tamper-resistant receptacles

Where this comes from

• Electrical License Renewal: 210.52(A)(2), 2023 changes
• Electrical License Renewal: 210.52(A)(2)(1), page showing 2023 code language
• Mike Holt: Summary of the 2023 changes to the NEC
• Read the official NEC free at NFPA