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).
Kitchen design and layout, specifically appliance placement as related to sink locations, can certainly have an impact as to whether GFCI protection is required in these applications. Another revision to GFCI protection in the 2020 NEC is to section 422.5 (A) dealing with appliances that require GFCI protection. Select your product installation guide and get support.
2020 helps creatives to bring ideas to life, inspire innovation and streamline processes. Free trial. Start your kitchen layout planning here, with 31 essential kitchen dimensions and planning guidelines from the NKBA and the IRC building codes.
Whether you're building a new home or remodeling an existing kitchen floor plan, use our planning guide to make smart design decisions for the key elements of the room. The best kitchens satisfy both. Your next steps should include contacting your local building department about specific requirements and partnering with professionals who understand both compliance and design.
Budget realistically for both mandatory elements and desired features. Ready to start your kitchen project? 804.2.1 Pass Through Kitchen.
In pass through kitchens where counters, appliances or cabinets are on two opposing sides, or where counters, appliances or cabinets are opposite a parallel wall, clearance between all opposing base cabinets, counter tops, appliances, or walls within kitchen work areas shall be 40 inches (1015 mm) minimum. The Essential Kitchen and Bath Planning Reference These guidelines serve as an essential reference for kitchen and bath design professionals when planning kitchens, bathrooms, closets, outdoor kitchens and baths, and other interior environment spaces. Compare 2020 Design and AutoCAD software for kitchen layouts in 2025.
See which is best for cabinet pros. Explore features, pricing, and rendering tools. Design Flex, the evolution of 2020 Design Live, offers cloud.