Electrical code covering exterior outlet requirement

electrical

I have exterior outlets by each door on the house (front and back) and one by my AC Unit. Do I have to also have one outside by my back garage door? This is a person entry door but it is also probably about 20' away from the back door of the house. I was told each door going out needs an outlet just recently which I can not find in the code. All I have seen is one located on the front and back of house and at least one within 20 or 25 feet of AC unit.

Best Answer

That's because that is not in the code. Entrances (except vehicle doors) are supposed to have a lighting outlet not a receptacle. Someone is confused.

Here are the relevent code snippets:

210.52(E) Outdoor Outlets. Outdoor receptacle outlets shall be installed in accordance with 210.2(E)(1) through (E)(3).[I have left out 2 and 3 for brevity]

Informational Note: See 210.8(A)(3).

(1) One-Family and Two-Family Dwellings. For a one- family dwelling and each unit of a two-family dwelling that is at grade level, at least one receptacle outlet readily ac- cessible from grade and not more than 2.0 m (6 1/2 ft) above grade level shall be installed at the front and back of the dwelling.

and

210.63 Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration Equipment Outlet. A 125-volt, single-phase, 15- or 20-ampere-rated receptacle outlet shall be installed at an accessible location for the servicing of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration equipment. The receptacle shall be located on the same level and within 7.5 m (25 ft) of the heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration equip- ment. The receptacle outlet shall not be connected to the load side of the equipment disconnecting means.

The lighting language is here:

210.70(A)(2)(b) For dwelling units, attached garages, and detached garages with electric power, at least one wall switch-controlled lighting outlet shall be installed to provide illumination on the exterior side of outdoor entrances or exits with grade level access. A vehicle door in a garage shall not be considered as an outdoor entrance or exit.

Your receptacle setup is just fine by the Code.