NEC electrical plan for a house: what the 2023 code asks for

Which NEC edition applies to your project?

The NEC is revised every three years, and each state, county or city adopts an edition on its own schedule, sometimes with local amendments. In 2026, the 2023 edition is the most widely adopted; some jurisdictions still enforce 2020 or 2017, and a few have started on 2026.

The edition that matters is the one enforced by your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), usually the local building department. Check it before you design: rules such as where GFCI protection is required have changed noticeably between editions.

The branch circuits every dwelling needs

Section 210.11 sets the minimum circuits. General lighting and general-purpose receptacles are sized from the floor area: the code counts 3 volt-amperes per square foot, so a house needs enough 15 A or 20 A general-purpose circuits to carry that load, spread evenly.

On top of those, four kinds of 20 A circuits are required and must stay separate from the rest of the house:

• At least two small-appliance circuits for the receptacles in the kitchen, pantry, breakfast room and dining room (210.11(C)(1)).
• At least one laundry circuit, for the laundry receptacles only (210.11(C)(2)).
• At least one bathroom circuit: either the receptacles of all bathrooms, or everything in a single bathroom (210.11(C)(3)).
• At least one garage circuit in an attached garage, or a detached garage with power (210.11(C)(4)).

Where receptacles are required

Section 210.52 lists the receptacle outlets of a dwelling. Several rules are spacing rules — no point along a wall more than 6 ft from a receptacle, a receptacle for every countertop space 12 in or wider — and they can only be checked on a dimensioned drawing.

Others are simply presence rules, and they are the easiest to miss on a plan: at least one receptacle in each bathroom, the laundry area, the garage, each unfinished part of a basement, and a foyer larger than 60 sq ft; one outdoor receptacle at the front and one at the back of a one-family house; one on each balcony, deck or porch reachable from inside.

• Habitable rooms: receptacles along the walls (6 ft / 12 ft rule).
• Kitchen countertops: served by at least two small-appliance circuits.
• Bathrooms, laundry, garage, basement: at least one receptacle each.
• Outdoors: front and back for a house, plus each balcony, deck or porch.
• HVAC equipment: a service receptacle nearby (210.63).

Switched lighting outlets

Section 210.70 requires a wall-switch-controlled lighting outlet in every habitable room, kitchen and bathroom, in hallways and stairways, in the garage, and at outdoor entrances. In habitable rooms other than kitchens and bathrooms, a switched receptacle can stand in for the lighting outlet — the familiar switched half of a duplex receptacle in a bedroom.

Storage and equipment spaces such as attics, crawl spaces and basements need a lighting outlet when they are used for storage or contain equipment that will need servicing.

GFCI and AFCI protection

Ground-fault (GFCI) protection is required for receptacles in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry areas, garages, outdoors, basements and crawl spaces, and for specific appliances such as dishwashers and, since 2023, ranges and dryers. Arc-fault (AFCI) protection is required on 15 A and 20 A branch circuits supplying most living spaces: kitchens, bedrooms, living and family rooms, hallways, closets and laundry areas.

Where both apply, a dual function breaker covers the circuit. Our guide to GFCI and AFCI requirements goes room by room.

Preparing the plan in Planelico

Import the architect’s floor plan as a PDF, draw each room, pick its type and enter its square footage. Place receptacles, switches, lighting outlets, data and appliances. Planelico then proposes general-purpose, small-appliance, laundry, bathroom and garage circuits, sizes the 240 V appliance circuits in AWG, and assigns each breaker its GFCI, AFCI or dual function protection.

It also flags rooms where the NEC expects a receptacle or a switched lighting outlet. It does not measure the 6 ft or 12 in spacing rules: a PDF has no reliable scale, so wall spacing stays with the person drawing the plan and the inspector.

Quick method with Planelico

1. 1

   Confirm the NEC edition

   Ask your building department which edition and local amendments apply.

2. 2

   Import the floor plan

   Add the PDF, one page per floor.

3. 3

   Qualify every room

   Name it, pick its type and enter its area in square feet.

4. 4

   Place the devices

   Receptacles, switches, lighting, appliances and outdoor outlets.

5. 5

   Generate the load center

   Review the proposed circuits, breakers and points to check.

6. 6

   Export the PDF

   Share the plan and the panel design pack with your electrician or the permit office.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

• NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC)
• NFPA — NEC adoption by state