Code guides · NEC 210.8
GFCI requirements (NEC editions 2014–2026)
GFCI scope expanded edition by edition. Pricing the right protection per occupancy is the difference between a code-compliant bid and a re-do. The OmniTakeoff pipeline applies the right edition automatically per project.
Where required (residential, condensed)
- Bathrooms (all editions since 1975)
- Kitchen countertop receptacles within 6 ft of a sink (since 1996)
- Outdoor receptacles (all editions since 1973)
- Garages and unfinished accessory buildings (since 1996)
- Crawl spaces and unfinished basements
- Laundry areas (since 2014)
- Within 6 ft of a wet-bar / utility sink / dishwasher
- Boathouses and similar damp/wet locations
Where required (commercial, condensed)
- Bathrooms (since 2002)
- Kitchens with cooking appliances (since 2008)
- Rooftops (since 2002 for personnel access)
- Within 6 ft of sinks (since 2014, expanded 2017)
- Outdoor receptacles in public spaces
- Crawl spaces and unfinished basements
Edition-specific deltas
2020 added GFCI for outdoor outlets above 250V. 2023 expanded GFCI to cover 240V outlets in dwelling-unit kitchens. 2026 retains the 2023 rules with clarifications around dishwasher receptacles.
When the AHJ-adopted edition differs from the spec's referenced edition, validation flags it and the higher-coverage edition wins by default. You can override per project.
Disclosure
This is a plain-English summary for estimating purposes. It is not a substitute for the actual code documents — review for AHJ-specific amendments. Adopted editions vary by jurisdiction; OmniTakeoff applies the edition declared on the project, not a hard-coded default.
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