Kitchen Planning Guidelines with Access Standards

Kitchen Planning

Guidelines with Access

Standards

The National Kitchen & Bath Association developed the Kitchen Planning Guidelines with

Access Standards to provide designers with good planning practices that consider the

needs of a range of users.

The code references for the Kitchen Planning Guidelines are based on the analysis of the

2015 International Residential Code

(IRC

) and the International Plumbing Code

The code references for the Access Standards are based on ICC A117.1–2009 Accessible

and Usable Buildings and Facilities.

Be sure to check local, state, and national laws that apply to your design and follow

those legal requirements.

Updates made to the Guidelines in this edition are easily identified by boldface text.

Drawings for the kitchen planning guidelines were contributed by Chief Architect and

created using Chief Architect software (www.chiefarchitect.com).

Door/Entry

Recommended:

The clear opening of a doorway

should be at least 32″ (813 mm)

wide. This would require a

minimum 2′10″ (864 mm) door.

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

The clear opening of a doorway

should be at least 34″ (864 mm).

This would require a minimum

3′0″ (914 mm) door.

ICC A117.1–2009 Reference:

• Clear openings of doorways

with swinging doors shall be

measured between the face of

door and stop, with the door

open 90 degrees. (404.2.2)

• When a passage exceeds 24″

(610 mm) in depth, the

minimum clearance increases

to 36″ (914 mm). (404.2.2)

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 1

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 2

Door Interference

Recommended:

No entry door should interfere

with the safe operation of

appliances, nor should

appliance doors interfere with

one another.

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

In addition, the door area should

include clear floor space for

maneuvering, which varies

according to the type of door and

direction of approach.

ICC A117.1–2009 Reference:

• For a standard hinged door,

the minimum clearance on the

pull side of the door should be

the door width plus 18″ × 60″

(457 mm × 1524 mm).

(404.2.3)

• The minimum clearance on

the push side of the door

should be the width of the

door plus 12″ × 48″ (305 mm

× 1219 mm). (404.2.3)

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 3

Distance between

Work Centers

Recommended:

In a kitchen with three work

centers,* the sum of the three

traveled distances should total no

more than 26′ (7.9 m), with no

single leg of the triangle

measuring less than 4′ (1.2 m) or

more than 9′ (2.7 m).

When the kitchen plan includes

more than three primary

appliance/work centers, each

additional travel distance to

another appliance/work center

should measure no less than 4′

(1.2 m) nor more than 9′ (2.7 m).

Each leg is measured from the

center‐front of the appliance/

sink.

No work triangle leg intersects an

island/peninsula or other obstacle

by more than 12″ (305 mm).

A major appliance and its

surrounding landing/work area form a

work center. The distances between

the three primary work centers

(cooking surface, cleanup/prep sink,

and refrigeration storage) form a

work triangle.

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

Kitchen guideline

recommendation meets Access

Standard.

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 4

Examples of a full‐height obstacle

are a tall oven cabinet, tall pantry

cabinet, and refrigerator.

Separating Work

Centers

Recommended:

A full‐height, full‐depth, tall

obstacle* should not separate

two primary work centers.

A properly recessed tall corner

unit will not interrupt the

workflow and is acceptable.

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

Kitchen guideline

recommendation meets Access

Standard.

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 5

Work Triangle Traffic

Recommended:

No major traffic patterns should

cross through the basic work

triangle.

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

Kitchen guideline

recommendation meets Access

Standard.

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 6

Work Aisle

Recommended:

The width of a work aisle should

be at least 42″ (1067 mm) for

one cook and at least 48″ (1219

mm) for multiple cooks. Measure

between the counter frontage,

tall cabinets, and/or appliances.

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

Kitchen guideline recommendation

meets Access Standard

recommendation. See Code

References for specific applications.

ICC A117.1–2009 Reference:

A clear floor space of at least

30″ × 48″ (762 mm × 1219 mm)

should be provided at each

kitchen appliance. Clear floor

spaces can overlap. (305.3, 804.5)

• In a U‐shaped kitchen, plan a

minimum clearance of 60″

(1524 mm) between opposing

arms. (804.2, 1003.12)

• Include a wheelchair turning

space with a diameter of at

least 60″ (1524 mm), which

can include knee* and toe**

clearances. (304.3)

• A wheelchair turning space

could utilize a T‐shaped clear

space, which is a 60″ (1524

mm) square with two 12″

wide × 24″ (305 mm × 610

mm) deep areas removed from

the corners of the square. This

leaves a minimum 36″ (914

mm) wide base and two 36″

(914 mm) wide arms. T‐shaped

wheelchair turning spaces can

include knee and toe

clearances. (304.3)

Kitchen Planning Guideline 6 (continued)

Knee clearance must be 30″ (762

mm) wide (36″ [ 914 mm] to use as

part of the T‐turn) and maintain a 27″

(686 mm) high clear space under the

cabinet, counter, or sink. At 27″ (686

mm) AFF, the depth must be a

minimum 8″ (203 mm). At 9″ (229

mm) AFF, the depth must be a

minimum 11″ (279 mm). The space

from 9″ (229 mm) to the floor is

considered toe clearance and must be

a minimum of 17″ (432 mm) and a

maximum of 25″ (635 mm).

Toe clearance space under a cabinet

or appliance is between the floor and

9″ (229 mm) above the floor. Where

toe clearance is required as part of a

clear floor space, the toe clearance

should extend 17″ (432 mm) minimum

beneath the element. (306.2)

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 7

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 8

Traffic Clearance at

Seating

Recommended:

In a seating area where no traffic

passes behind a seated diner,

allow 32″ (813 mm) of clearance

from the counter/table edge to

any wall or other obstruction

behind the seating area.

Walkway

Recommended:

The width of a walkway should

be at least 36″ (914 mm).

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

If two walkways are

perpendicular to each other, one

walkway should be at least 42″

(1067 mm) wide.

a. If traffic passes behind the

seated diner, allow at least 36″

(914 mm) to edge past.

b. If traffic passes behind the

seated diner, allow at least 44″

(1118 mm) to walk past.

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

In a seating area where no traffic

passes behind a seated diner,

allow 36″ (914 mm) of clearance

from the counter/table edge to

any wall or other obstruction

behind the seating area.

If traffic passes behind the seated

diner, plan a minimum of 60″

(1524 mm) to allow passage for a

person in a wheelchair. This will

be impacted by the depth of the

knee space.

Kitchen Planning Guideline 8 (continued)

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 9

Seating Clearance

Recommended:

Kitchen seating areas should

incorporate at least the following

clearances:

a. 30″ (762 mm) high tables/

counters: Allow a 24″ wide ×

18″ deep (610 mm × 457 mm)

knee space for each seated

diner.

b. 36″ (914 mm) high counters:

Allow a 24″ wide × 15″ deep

(610 mm × 381 mm) knee

space for each seated diner.

c. 42″ (1067 mm) high counters:

Allow a 24″ wide × 12″ deep

(610 mm × 305 mm) knee space

for each seated diner.

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

Kitchen seating areas should be

28″–34″ (711 mm–864 mm)

high × 30″–36″ (762 mm–914

mm) wide × 17″–25″ (432 mm–

635 mm) deep to better

accommodate people of various

sizes or those using a mobility aid.

Recommended minimum size for

a knee space at a table or

counter is 36″ wide × 27″ high ×

17″ deep (914 mm wide × 686

mm high × 432 mm deep).

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 1 0

Cleanup/Prep Sink

Placement

Recommended:

If a kitchen has only one sink,

locate it adjacent to or across

from the cooking surface and

refrigerator.

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

Plan knee spaces at the sink to

allow for a seated user.

Recommended minimum size for

a knee space is 36″ wide × 27″

high × 8″ deep (914 mm × 686

mm × 203 mm), increasing to

17″ (432 mm) deep in the toe

space, which extends 9″

(229 mm) from the floor.

Insulation for exposed pipes

should be provided.

ICC A117.1–2009 Reference:

• The sink should be no more

than 34″ (864 mm) high or

adjustable between 29″ and

36″ (737 mm and 914 mm).

(1003.12.4.2)

• Exposed water supply and

drainpipes under sinks should

be insulated or otherwise

configured to protect against

contact. There should be no

sharp or abrasive surfaces

under sinks. (1003.12.4.4)

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 1 1

Cleanup/Prep Sink

Landing Area

Recommended:

Include at least a 24″ (610 mm)

wide landing area* to one

side of the sink and at least an

18″ (457 mm) wide landing area

on the other side.

If all of the countertop at the

sink is not the same height, then

plan a 24″ (610 mm) landing

area on one side of the sink and

3″ (76 mm) of countertop

frontage on the other side, both

at the same height as the sink.

The 24″ (610 mm) of

recommended landing area can be

met by 3″ (76 mm) of countertop

frontage from the edge of the sink

to the inside corner of the

countertop if no more than 21″

(533 mm) of countertop frontage

is available on the return.

Landing area is measured as

countertop frontage adjacent to a

sink and/or an appliance. The

countertop must be at least 16″ (406

mm) deep and must be 28″ to 45″

(711 mm to 1143 mm) above the

finished floor to qualify.

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

For a parallel approach for a

person using a wheelchair, allow

a minimum of 24″ (610 mm) of

countertop frontage from the

centerline of the sink to the

returning counter.

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 1 2

Preparation/Work

Area

Recommended:

Include a section of continuous

countertop at least 36″ wide ×

24″ deep (914 mm × 610 mm)

immediately next to a sink for a

primary preparation/work area.

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

A section of continuous

countertop at least 30″ (762 mm)

wide with a permanent or

adaptable knee space should be

included somewhere in the

kitchen.

See Guideline 6 Access Standard

for knee clearance specifications.

ICC A117.1–2009 Reference:

• In a kitchen, there should be at

least one 30″ (762 mm) wide

section of counter, 34″ (864

mm) high maximum or

adjustable from 29″ to 36″

(737 mm to 914 mm).

Cabinetry can be added under

the work surface, provided it

can be removed or altered

without removal or

replacement of the work

surface, and provided the

finished floor extends under

the cabinet. (1003.12.3)

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 1 3

In a diagonal installation, the 21″

(533 mm) is measured from the

center of the sink to the edge of the

dishwasher door in an open position.

Dishwasher

Placement

Recommended:

Locate nearest edge of the

primary dishwasher within 36″

(914 mm) of the nearest edge of

a cleanup/prep sink.

Provide at least 21″* (533 mm) of

standing space between the edge

of the dishwasher and

countertop frontage, appliances

and/or cabinets, which are placed

at a right angle to the

dishwasher.

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

Raise dishwasher 6″ to 12″ (152

mm to 305 mm) when it can be

planned with appropriate landing

areas at the same height as the

sink.

ICC A117.1–2009 Reference:

• A clear floor space of at least

30″ × 48″ (762 mm × 1219

mm) should be positioned

adjacent to the dishwasher

door. The dishwasher door in

the open position should not

obstruct the clear floor space

for the dishwasher or the sink.

(1003.12.5.3)

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 1 4

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 1 5

Auxiliary Sink

Recommended:

At least 3″ (76 mm) of

countertop frontage should be

provided on one side of the

auxiliary sink and 18″ (457 mm)

of countertop frontage on the

other side, both at the same

height as the sink.

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

Plan a knee space at or adjacent

to the auxiliary sink.

See Guideline 6 Access Standard

for knee clearance specifications.

Waste Receptacles

Recommended:

Include at least two waste

receptacles. Locate one near each

of the cleanup/prep sink(s) and a

second for recycling either in the

kitchen or nearby.

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

Kitchen guideline recommendation

meets Access Standard.

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 1 6

Refrigerator Landing

Area

Recommended:

Include at least:

a. 15″ (381 mm) of landing area

on the handle side of the

refrigerator, or

b. 15″ (381 mm) of landing area

on either side of a side‐by‐side

refrigerator, or

c. 15″ (381 mm) of landing area

that is no more than 48″

(1219 mm) across from the

front of the refrigerator, or

d. 15″ (381 mm) of landing area

above or adjacent to any

undercounter‐style

refrigeration appliance.

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

See Code Reference.

ICC A117.1–2009 Reference:

• A clear floor space of 30″ × 48″

(762 mm × 1219 mm) should

be positioned for a parallel

approach to the refrigerator/

freezer with the centerline of

the clear floor space offset on

the handle side 24″ (610 mm)

maximum from the centerline

of the appliance. (804.6.6,

1003.12.6)

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 1 7

Cooking Surface

Landing Area

Recommended:

Include a minimum of 12″ (305

mm) of landing area on one side

of a cooking surface and 15″

(381 mm) on the other side.

If the cooking surface is at a

different countertop height than

the rest of the kitchen, then the

12″ and 15″ (305 mm and 381

mm) landing areas must be at the

same height as the cooking

surface.

For safety reasons, in an island or

peninsula situation, the countertop

should also extend a minimum of

9″ (229 mm) behind the cooking

surface if the counter height is

the same as the surface‐cooking

appliance.

• For an enclosed configuration,

a reduction of clearances shall

be in accordance with the

appliance manufacturer’s

instructions or per local codes.

(This may not provide adequate

landing area.) (IRC M 1901.2,

IRC E 4101.2)

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

Lower the cooktop to 34″ (864

mm) maximum height and create

a knee space beneath the

appliance.

See Guideline 6 Access Standard

for knee clearance specifications.

ICC A117.1–2009 Reference:

• When a forward‐approach

clear floor space is provided at

the cooktop, it should provide

knee and toe clearance, and

the underside of the cooktop

should be insulated or

otherwise configured to

prevent burns, abrasions, or

electric shock. (1003.12.5.4)

• Where the clear floor space is

positioned for a parallel

approach, the clear floor space

shall be centered on the

appliance. (1003.12.5.4)

• The location of cooktop

controls should not require

reaching across burners.

(1003.12.5.4)

Kitchen Planning Guideline 17 (continued)

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 1 8

Cooking Surface

Clearance

Recommended:

Allow 24″ (610 mm) of clearance

between the cooking surface and

a protected noncombustible

surface above it.

Code Requirement:

• The vertical clearance above

a cooktop or range shall

have a vertical clearance

above the cooking surface

of not less than 30″ (762

mm) to combustible material

and metal cabinets. A

minimum clearance of 24″

(610 mm) is permitted when

an approved range hood or

other approved

noncombustible materials

are installed. (IRC M 1901.1)

(IRC G 2447.5)

• The clearance for overthe

range microwave units will

be set by the manufacturer.

(IRC M 1504.1, IRC G 2447.5)

Refer to manufacturer’s

specifications or local building

codes for other considerations.

Access Standard

Recommended:

Kitchen guideline recommendation

meets Access Standard.

Cooking Surface

Ventilation

Recommended:

Provide a correctly sized, ducted

ventilation system for all cooking

surface appliances. The

recommended minimum is 150

cubic feet per minute (cfm).

Code Requirement:

• Manufacturer’s installation

instructions and specifications

must be followed. (IRC G

2407.1, IRC G 2447.1, IRC E

4101.2)

• The minimum required exhaust

rate for a ducted hood is 100

cfm, and it must be ducted to

the outside. (IRC M 1507.4)

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 1 9

Kitchen Planning Guideline 18 (continued)

Kitchen Planning Guideline 19 (continued)

• Range hoods shall be

discharged to the outdoors

through a duct. The ducts

that service the hood shall

have a smooth interior

surface, shall be airtight,

shall be equipped with a

back draft damper, and

should be independent of

all other exhaust systems.

The air removed by every

mechanical exhaust system

shall be discharged to the

outdoors. Air shall not be

exhausted into attic, soffit,

ridge vent, or crawlspace.

(IRC M 1501.2) (IRCM1503.1)

• Exhaust hood systems capable

of exhausting in excess of 400

cfm shall be mechanically or

naturally provided with

makeup air at a rate

approximately equal to the

exhaust air rate. Such makeup

air systems shall be equipped

with not less than one

damper. Each damper shall

be a gravity damper or an

electronically operated

damper that automatically

opens when the exhaust

system operates.

• Kitchen exhaust makeup air

shall be discharged into the

same room in which the

exhaust system is located or

into rooms or duct systems

that communicate through

one or more permanent

openings with the room in

which such exhaust system

is located. (IRC M 1503.4)

(IRC G 2407.4)

• Refer to local codes for more

restricted requirements.

Access Standard

Recommended:

Ventilation controls should be

placed 15″ to 44″ (381 mm to

1118 mm) above the floor,

operable with minimal effort,

easy to read, and with minimal

noise pollution.

ICC A117.1–2009 Reference:

• Operable parts should be

operable with one hand and

not require tight grasping,

pinching, or twisting of the

wrist. The force required to

activate operable parts should

be 5 pounds (2 kg) maximum.

(309.4)

• Where a forward or side reach

is unobstructed, the high reach

should be 48″ (1219 mm)

maximum, and the low reach

should be 15″ (381 mm)

minimum above the floor.

(308.2.1, 308.3.1)

• Where a forward or side reach

is obstructed by a 20″ to 25″

(508 mm to 635 mm) deep

counter, the high reach should

be 44″ (1118 mm) maximum.

(308.2.2)

• When a side reach is

obstructed by a 10″ to 24″

(254 mm to 610 mm)

counter, the high reach

should be 46″ (1168 mm).

(308.3.2)

Kitchen Planning Guideline 19 (continued)

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 2 0

Cooking Surface

Safety

Recommended:

a. Do not locate the cooking

surface under an operable

window.

b. Window treatments above the

cooking surface should not

use flammable materials.

c. A fire extinguisher should be

located near the exit of the

kitchen away from cooking

equipment.

d. Commercial cooking

appliances are not to be

installed in residential kitchens.

(IRC M 1901.2, IRC G 2447.2)

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

Place fire extinguisher between

15″ and 48″ (381 mm and 1219

mm) off the finished floor.

Select cooking appliances with

the controls located so that there

is no need to reach across

burners to operate.

(1003.12.5.4.4)

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 2 1

Microwave Oven

Placement

Recommended:

Locate the microwave oven after

considering the user’s height and

abilities. The ideal location for the

bottom of the microwave is 3″

(76 mm) below the principle

user’s shoulder, but no more than

54″ (1372 mm) above the floor.

If the microwave oven is placed

below the countertop, the oven

bottom must be at least 15″ (381

mm) off the finished floor.

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

Locate the microwave controls no

higher than 46″ to 48″ (1168

mm to 1219 mm), depending on

approach and reach range. See

Guideline 19 Access Standard.

Microwave Landing

Area

Recommended:

Provide at least a 15″ (381 mm)

landing area above, below, or

adjacent to the handle side of a

microwave oven.

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

Provide landing area in front of or

immediately adjacent to the

handle side of the microwave.

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 2 2

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 2 3

Oven Landing Area

Recommended:

Include at least a 15″ (381 mm)

landing area next to or above the

oven.

At least a 15″ (381 mm) landing

area that is not more than 48″

(1219 mm) across from the oven

is acceptable if the appliance

does not open into a walkway.

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

See Code reference.

ICC A117.1–2009 Reference:

• For side‐opening ovens, the

door latch side should be next

to a countertop.

(1003.12.5.5.2)

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 2 4

Combining Landing

Areas

Recommended:

If two landing areas are adjacent

to one another, determine a new

minimum for the two adjoining

spaces by taking the longer of

the two landing area

requirements and adding 12″

(305 mm).

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

Kitchen guideline

recommendation meets Access

Standard.

Countertop Space

Recommended:

A total of 158″ (4013 mm) of

countertop frontage, 24″ (610

mm) deep, with at least 15″ (381

mm) of clearance above, is needed

to accommodate all uses, including

landing area, preparation/work

area, and storage.

Built‐in appliance garages

extending to the countertop can

be counted toward the total

countertop frontage

recommendation, but they may

interfere with the landing areas.

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 2 5

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

At least two work‐counter

heights should be offered in the

kitchen, with one 28″ to 36″ (711

mm to 914 mm) above the

finished floor and the other 36″

to 45″ (914 mm to 1143 mm)

above the finished floor.

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 2 6

Kitchen Planning Guideline 25 (continued)

Countertop Edges

Recommended:

Specify clipped or round corners

rather than sharp edges on all

counters.

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

Kitchen guideline

recommendation meets Access

Standard.

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 2 7

Storage

Recommended:

The total shelf/drawer frontage*

is:

a. 1400″ (35,560 mm) for a small

kitchen (less than 150 square

feet) (14 m

b. 1700″ (43,180 mm) for a

medium kitchen (151 to 350

square feet) (14 m

to 32.5 m

c. 2000″ (50,800 mm) for a large

kitchen (greater than 350

square feet) (32.5 m

The totals for wall, base, drawer,

and pantry shelf/drawer frontage

can be adjusted upward or

downward as long as the

recommended total stays the same.

Do not apply more than the

recommended amount of storage

in the miscellaneous category to

meet the total frontage

recommendation.

Shelf/Drawer Frontage in Inches

Small Medium Large

Wall 300” 360” 360”

Base 520” 615” 660”

Drawer 360” 400” 525

Pantry 180” 230” 310”

Misc. 40” 95” 145”

Shelf/Drawer Frontage in Millimeters

Small Medium Large

Wall 7620 mm 9144 mm 9144 mm

Base 1320 mm 15621 mm 16764 mm

Drawer 9144 mm 10160 mm 13335 mm

Pantry 4572 mm 5842 mm 7874 mm

Misc. 1016 mm 2413 mm 3683 mm

Shelf and drawer frontage is

determined by multiplying the cabinet

size by the number and depth of the

shelves or drawers in the cabinet,

using the following formula: Cabinet

width in inches × number of shelf and

drawers × cabinet depth in feet (or

fraction thereof) = Shelf and Drawer

Frontage.

Storage areas that are more than

84″ (2134 mm) above the floor

must be counted in the

miscellaneous category.

Storage/organizing items can

enhance the functional capacity

of wall, base, drawer, and pantry

storage, and should be selected

to meet user needs.

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

See Guideline 19.

ICC A117.1–2009 Reference:

• Where a forward or side reach

is unobstructed, the high reach

should be 48″ (1219 mm)

maximum, and the low reach

should be 15″ (381 mm)

minimum above the floor.

(A117.1 308.2.1, 308.3.1)

• Where a 20″ to 25″ (508 mm

to 635 mm) deep counter

obstructs a forward reach, the

high reach should be 44″

(1118 mm) maximum. (A117.1

308.2.2)

• Where a 10″ to 24″ (254 mm

to 610 mm) counter obstructs

a side reach, the high reach

should be 46″ (1168 mm)

maximum. (A117.1 308.3.2)

Kitchen Planning Guideline 27 (continued)

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

Plan storage of frequently used

items 15″ to 48″ (381 mm to

1219 mm) above the floor.

ICC A117.1–2009 Reference:

• See Guideline 19 Access

Standard for reach

specifications.

Storage at Cleanup/

Prep Sink

Recommended:

Of the total recommended wall,

base, drawer, and pantry shelf/

drawer frontage, the following

should be located within 72″

(1829 mm) of the centerline of

the main cleanup/prep sink:

a. At least 400″ (10,160 mm) for

a small kitchen.

b. At least 480″ (12,192 mm) for

a medium kitchen.

c. At least 560″ (14,224 mm) for

a large kitchen.

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 2 8

Corner Cabinet

Storage

Recommended:

At least one corner cabinet

should include a functional

storage device.

This guideline does not apply if

there are no cabinets located in

corners.

Code Requirement:

State or local codes may apply.

Access Standard

Recommended:

Kitchen guideline

recommendation meets Access

Standard.

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 2 9

Kitchen Planning Guideline 28 (continued)

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 3 0

Electrical

Receptacles

Code Requirement:

• GFCI (ground‐fault circuit‐

interrupter) protection is required

on all receptacles servicing

countertop surfaces within the

kitchen. (IRC E 3902.6)

Refer to IRC E 3901.3 through E

3901.4.5 for receptacle

placement and locations.

• Receptacles that are located

within 6′ (1829 mm) of the

outside edge of the sink

shall have groundfault

circuitinterrupter

protection. Receptacle

outlets shall not be installed

in a faceup position in the

work surfaces or

countertops. (IRC E 3902.7)

• Groundfault circuit

interrupter protection shall

be provided for outlets that

supply dishwashers in

dwelling unit locations.

(IRC E 3902.10)

Access Standard

Recommended:

See Code Reference.

Code Reference:

See Guideline 19 Access Standard

for reach and control

specifications.

K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G G U I D E L I N E 3 1

Lighting

Recommended:

In addition to general lighting

required by code, every work

surface should be well

illuminated by appropriate task

lighting.

Code Requirement:

• At least one wall switch–

controlled light must be

provided. Switch must be

placed at the entrance. (IRC E

3903.2)

• Window/skylight area, equal to

at least 8% of the total square

footage of the kitchen, or a

total living space that includes

a kitchen, is required. (IRC R

303.1, IRC R 303.2)

Access Standard

Recommended:

Lighting should be from multiple

sources and adjustable.

ICC A117.1–2009 Reference:

• See Guideline 19 Access

Standard for reach and control

specifications.