How many outlets do I need on my kitchen countertop per NB code?

The NB Building Code requires that no point along a kitchen countertop be more than 900mm (approximately 3 feet) from an outlet, and you need a minimum of two 20-amp small appliance circuits dedicated to countertop receptacles. In practical terms, a typical NB kitchen with 10 to 15 linear feet of countertop needs 4 to 8 outlets to meet code and provide adequate convenience.

The specific rule is based on the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC), which New Brunswick adopts. Every countertop space wider than 300mm (12 inches) must have at least one outlet, and outlets must be spaced so that no point along the counter is more than 900mm from a receptacle. This means that on a long run of countertop, you will have outlets roughly every 4 to 6 feet at minimum. Island countertops also require at least one outlet if the island has a countertop surface.

These countertop outlets must be on dedicated 20-amp small appliance circuits — a minimum of two circuits that serve only the kitchen countertop and dining area receptacles. No other loads (lighting, refrigerator, dishwasher) can be on these circuits. The reasoning is practical: kitchen countertop appliances like toasters, kettles, stand mixers, and coffee makers draw significant amperage, and sharing circuits with other loads trips breakers.

GFCI Protection Requirements

All countertop outlets within 1.5 metres of a sink must have GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) protection. In most NB kitchens, this effectively means all countertop outlets need GFCI protection, since kitchen countertops are rarely more than 1.5 metres from the sink. You can achieve this with individual GFCI outlets at each location ($25 to $40 each) or with a GFCI breaker in the panel that protects the entire circuit ($40 to $60 each). Most electricians in New Brunswick prefer GFCI breakers because they protect the whole circuit and keep the outlet faces clean-looking.

For kitchen islands, at least one outlet is required by code, and it must also be on one of the 20-amp small appliance circuits. The challenge with island outlets is routing the wiring — the circuit typically runs through the floor from below. During a renovation, your electrician runs the cable through the subfloor and up through the island cabinet base before the countertop is installed. This must be planned during the rough-in phase, not after cabinets and countertops are in place.

Practical Recommendations Beyond Code Minimums

While code sets the minimum, most kitchen designers and electricians in Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John recommend exceeding code requirements for countertop outlets. Consider how many small appliances you use simultaneously — coffee maker, toaster, kettle, stand mixer, phone charger — and plan accordingly. Adding two or three extra outlets during a renovation costs $75 to $150 per outlet when the electrician is already on site, which is trivial compared to the cost of adding outlets after the renovation is complete.

If your current kitchen is in an older NB home with only one or two outlets on the countertop — common in homes built before the 1980s — bringing the outlets up to current code is required when you pull an electrical permit for the renovation. This is not optional; once you open a permit, the inspected work must meet current code. Budget $500 to $1,500 for countertop outlet upgrades as part of your overall electrical scope, depending on how much new wiring needs to be run.

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