That is what I told my GC to do, but it didn't quite happen. They placed the outlets in the traditional vertical fashion and not as low as I wanted. Not because of any code thing, they just couldn't cope with not doing it the "old school" way.

Your electrician would know...if you are DIY, definitely check the code where you live...I like the idea though and thought to do it in my kitchen but I think it was against code so mine are in the usual spot....I don't even think about it now and it doesn't bother me...looks like everyone else's kitchen.

The national residential building code is not that specific about exact heights and such (it's set as ranges), I don't know about local codes.

I almost always specify a couple of low horizontal outlets maybe about 3" above counterheight for things that are always plugged in, and higher outlets hidden up behind the light rail for things that are occasionally plugged in and to meet (actually exceed ) the outlet requirements.

I did low horizontal outlets in San Diego, CA.

The bottom of my outlets are 1.25" above counter height. All four of my outlets are like this. No problem with code whatsoever.

I'm in California too. We put them low and horizontal just above the 1" soapstone backsplash. No problem passing inspection.

-Babka

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

I am in california and have them low and horizontal on the one side (and undercabinet in others)

Check your local code, obviously, but we also did low horizontal outlets and passed inspection with no problem in the Bay Area.

Isn't is proximity to the water that dictates placement and GFI, etc?

"Isn't is proximity to the water that dictates placement and GFI, etc?"

All kitchen counter outlets must be GFCI protected.

Other outlets within 6 feet (IIRC) of water sources ALSO must be GFCI protected under the most recent code (that may not even be in effect in our area).

The only thing the NEC prohibits is receptacles face up in counters.
There are other restrictions about them being to high above the counter, or below the counter in the cabinet face if the counter overhang is large.

Two separate 20 amp circuits are required, and they can only have limited things on them besides the kitchen counter receptacles.

This post was edited by brickeyee on Thu, Jun 6, 13 at 15:34

Thanks so much for all of the useful information and the STUNNING photos of your gorgeous backsplash Babka! What is it?

I'm going to have my electrician go for it. Hopefully my dh will be away when they're being done so he won't freak.;)

OK Babka, you are going to have to post more of your kitchen than that little tantalizing peek! Love the cabs and backspash even though I don't see your outlets at all in your pics.

Oh, my. I was a poster here on the kitchen forum back in 2005 when we did our remodel. Now we are doing the master bath and I learned so much here on the forum...to question everything... Soapstone was a new thing then, and I didn't want a 4" back splash up from the countertop, but I didn't want the tumbled marble mini bricks to just but up against the countertop. So we came up with the 1" piece and the horizontal outlets.

-Babka

Regarding the GFI, you can place those outlets "upstream" of the visible outlets on the wall and meet code. For example, I hid my GFIs in my pantry. The remainder of the kitchen outlets feed through that line so are protected. Code meet, and no ugly GFIs in my future tile bs.