Skip to main content
Almost an Architect
Current page: 2025 RCNYS §E3901.2.1 Receptacle spacing — no point > 6 ft from receptacle
CodeMandatory

General-use receptacles: no point along the floor line > 6 ft from a receptacle (every wall ≥ 2 ft wide)

2025 RCNYS §E3901.2.1 Receptacle spacing — no point > 6 ft from receptacle

Description

In every habitable room (kitchen, family, dining, living, bedroom, etc.), general-use receptacle outlets must be installed so no point along the floor line of any wall space is more than 6 ft from a receptacle (i.e. 12 ft maximum spacing between receptacles, since an appliance cord ≤ 6 ft must reach one). A 'wall space' is any unbroken section ≥ 2 ft wide measured around corners. Fixed panels in exterior walls (excluding sliding ones) count; railings + bar counters create new wall spaces. Floor outlets count only when within 18 in of a wall.

Why this exists

The 6-ft rule is the architect's electrical plan starting point. Default layout: outlet within 6 ft of each end of a wall + every 12 ft along it. Modern furniture layouts often want outlets right where the sofa is — coordinate with interior design early.

Measurements

PropertyOperatorValueUnitNote
maxDistancemax6ft from any pointMaximum distance from any point along floor line to a receptacle
minWallSpacemin2ftMinimum wall width requiring a receptacle

Categories

Electrical

Applies to

  • Jurisdiction: New York State

Source

NY Dept of State / ICCno manifest entry
2025 Residential Code of New York State (2025)
Section: E3901.2.1 Receptacle spacing — no point > 6 ft from receptacle
Published 2025-07-01 · last verified 2026-05-15

Solver enforcement

Browsable only — the solver does not currently enforce this directive (no spec-level data to check against). This entry exists so the architect personas can cite it in conversation and the user can read what the rule says.

Related directives

Last reviewed 2026-05-15.