City of Claremont
Building Division
Kitchen Remodel Requirements
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GENERAL
Most kitchen remodels require a building permit, with exception to simply replacing the cabinets and
countertops, like for like, or replacing appliances. Relocation or addition of electrical and/or plumbing
fixtures, redesigning the kitchen layout, or altering structural elements such as walls, windows and doors, does
require the issuance of a permit. When applying for your permit, provide two copies of floor plans depicting
both the new and existing layouts.
Use these plan check items to help your design process, and feel free to include any of the following details in
your plans as general compliance notes.
ELECTRICAL
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All kitchen countertop outlets shall be GFCI protected. CEC 210.8(A)(6)
Outlets are required at any wall countertop space that is 12” or wider. CEC 210.52(C)(1)
Outlets serving a countertop shall be installed so that no point along the wall line is more than 24”,
measured horizontally, from an outlet in that space. CEC 210.52(C)(1)
Countertop spaces separated by rangetops, refrigerators, or sinks shall be considered separate
countertop spaces. CEC 210(C)(4)
Kitchen outlets must be positioned a maximum 20” above the countertop. CEC 210.52(C)(5)
The electrical outlet requirements include islands, peninsulas, kitchen desktops, wet bars, and serving
bars. A large window across the back of a sink or lack of a back splash does not exempt the countertop from the outlet requirements. These outlets may be in a drop front cabinet face, under cabinet
plug strip, pop up or pedestal-type receptacles. CEC 210.52(C)(2,3,4)
Two 20-amp small appliance branch circuits are required for kitchens. The loads shall be balanced and
have no other outlets. CEC 210.52(B)(1,2)
Individual dedicated circuits are required for all major appliances. CEC210.11(C)(1) & 422.10(A)
A minimum 15-amp branch circuit (separate) is required for both the dishwasher and the disposal.
CEC 210.23(A)
A minimum 20-amp branch circuit (separate) is for required for a cabinet-installed microwave or
microwave hood combination. CEC 210.23(1)(1,2)
If using a split outlet (two outlets on the same yolk) for dishwasher and disposal, provide a listed
handle tie at the two circuit breakers at the panel. CEC 210.7(B)
All receptacles shall be tamper resistant. CEC 404.12
Residential kitchen lighting is required to meet the Energy Efficiency Standards. This requires at least
50% of kitchen lighting wattage to be high efficiency luminaires. CEC 150(k)(3)(A)
IC (direct contact) and AT (air tight) rated cans are required for recessed lighting if installed in an
insulated ceiling. CEC 150(k)(8)(A & B)
Fluorescent recessed lighting (when used to comply with the lighting requirements) must be of a pin
type design. Incandescent screw-type bases are not allowed. CEC TABLE 150.0-A
ELECTRICAL (CONT.)
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Incandescent and fluorescent lighting must be on separate switches. CEC 150(k)(2)(A)
MECHANICAL
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A ducted residential exhaust hood is required, and shall have a minimum rate of 100 cfm with a
maximum sound rating of 3 sone @ 100 cfm. ASHRAE 62.2
Where a ducted residential exhaust hood is installed, the duct shall be metal and have smooth interior
surfaces. ALUMINUM FLEX DUCT IS NOT ALLOWED. Downdraft exhaust ducts installed under a
concrete slab floor shall be permitted to be of approved schedule 40 PVC. CMC 504.2 & Exception
Exhaust ducts shall terminate outside of the building and be equipped with back draft dampers.
CMC 504.1
Minimum 30” clearance to combustibles from cook top surface is required. CMC 916.1.2
PLUMBING
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A gas test is required on piping modifications (10 psi for 15 minutes). A maximum 15 psi gauge is
required for the gas test. CPC 1213.0
Gas lines that run under a slab within the living area shall be placed in an approved, vented, and gastight conduit. CPC 1210.1.6
An accessible shutoff valve shall be installed outside of each appliance and ahead of the union
connected thereto, and in addition to any valve on the appliance. CPC 1211.5
Provide a maximum 6’-long listed flexible gas connector to a free-standing range. CPC 1211.5
Flexible gas connectors shall not pass through walls, partitions, or floors. CPC 1211.4.4
A listed air gap is required for the dishwasher drain. A loop provided inside the cabinet is only
permitted if allowed by the manufacturer. CPC 807.4
Maximum flow rate for kitchen faucets is 1.8 gpm @ 60 psi. CGBSC 4.303.1.1.4
Air admittance valves are prohibited for interior use.
SMOKE/CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS
Kitchen remodel projects over $1,000 in value will require the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms for the
dwelling to meet the current Code. CRC R314 & R315
· Smoke alarms are required in all sleeping rooms, outside each sleeping area in the immediate vicinity
of the bedrooms, and on each floor level including basements and habitable attics.
· Carbon monoxide alarms are required in dwelling and sleeping rooms where fuel-burning appliances
are installed, and/or where dwelling units have attached garages.
· When more than one alarm of either type is required to be installed within an individual dwelling unit,
the alarm devices shall be interconnected in such a manner that activation of one alarm will activate all
of the other alarms.
· Devices shall be hard-wired to the building’s power supply when feasible, except in existing conditions
where alarms may be battery operated.
· Combination smoke/carbon monoxide detectors shall comply with all applicable standards and shall be
listed by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
For further questions, please contact the City of Claremont Building Division at (909)399-5471.