I got your back, or not… exterior receptacles.                        Chelan Home Inspections

I was performing a home inspection on a newer home, early 2000’s, and came upon a curious situation. It did not have receptacles at the back of the home. Well this is not right for the age of the home.

It has been since the early 1990’s that receptacles were required at the front and back of homes. So this got me thinking… when were the requirements for outside receptacle come into play?

So doing a little research and some very kind help from Mr. Code Check (Doug Hansen) I got my answers.

So we start in 1975, NEC 210-25(b) “For one-family dwelling, at least one receptacle outlet shall be installed outdoors.”

Then in 1990 NEC required a receptacle at the front and the back if there was no direct grade level access from the front to the back (if a cord could not be pulled around the house) [210-52(e)].

Then in 1993 we are first required for front and back (Section 210-52 (e)) “For a one-family dwelling and each unit of a two-family dwelling that is at grade level, at least one receptacle outlet accessible at grade level shall be installed at the front and back of the dwelling.”

In 2005 this requirement like in 1993 was added to include the outdoor receptacles at a multifamily dwelling with direct grade level access.

In 2008, the requirement was added for balconies, decks and porches (Section 210.52(E) (3)). (3) Balconies, Decks, and Porches.  “Balconies, decks, and porches that are accessible from inside the dwelling unit shall have at least one receptacle outlet installed within the perimeter of the balcony, deck, or porch. The receptacle shall not be located more than 2.0 m (6½ ft) above the balcony, deck, or porch surface.” Exception to (3): Balconies, decks, or porches with a usable area of less than 1.86 m2 (20 ft2) are not required to have a receptacle installed.

Then in 2011 the exception was removed for balconies, decks, and porches with a usable area less than 20 square feet.

The object of all of this is to have receptacles in locations that we need them and to reduce the need of extension cords.

“If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.”

Red Adair

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…  

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