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 receptacleDescription
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
| Property | Operator | Value | Unit | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
maxDistance | max | 6 | ft from any point | Maximum distance from any point along floor line to a receptacle |
minWallSpace | min | 2 | ft | Minimum wall width requiring a receptacle |
Categories
Applies to
- Jurisdiction: New York State
Source
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
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- Interior stairs: artificial light at ≥ 1 fc on treads + landings; wall switch each floor for ≥ 6 risers · 2025 RCNYS §R325.6 Interior stairway illumination
Last reviewed 2026-05-15.