How many outlets does NB Building Code require in a renovated kitchen?

NB electrical code for kitchens requires a minimum of two dedicated 20-amp small appliance circuits, with receptacles spaced so no point along the countertop is more than 60 cm (24 inches) from an outlet — but the full requirements go well beyond just counting outlets.

Kitchen electrical is one of the most regulated areas of residential renovation in New Brunswick, and for good reason — kitchens concentrate more high-draw appliances in one space than anywhere else in the home. The spacing rule means that in a typical NB kitchen with 10–15 linear feet of countertop, you're looking at 6 to 10 countertop receptacles minimum, all fed by those two dedicated 20-amp circuits. These circuits are for small appliances only — toasters, kettles, coffee makers, microwaves — and cannot serve lighting or other general loads.

Beyond the countertop receptacles, a properly wired NB kitchen also needs dedicated circuits for major appliances: the refrigerator (15 or 20-amp dedicated), dishwasher (15 or 20-amp dedicated), range or cooktop (typically 40 or 50-amp 240V dedicated), and over-the-range microwave if it's a built-in (dedicated 20-amp). A kitchen renovation that touches the electrical panel or adds circuits will also trigger a TSANB inspection — this is provincial law, not optional. Your contractor must be a licensed electrician, and the work must be inspected before walls are closed up.

NB-Specific Considerations

In New Brunswick, all electrical work is governed by the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) as adopted provincially, and inspected by TSANB (Technical Safety Authority of New Brunswick). If your kitchen renovation involves any new circuits, relocated outlets, or panel work, a permit is required and a TSANB inspection must happen before drywall goes up. Skipping this step is one of the most common and costly mistakes NB homeowners make — it creates problems at resale and can void your home insurance if a claim arises from unpermitted electrical work.

Older NB homes — and there are many, particularly in Fredericton, Saint John, and Moncton's established neighbourhoods — frequently have 60-amp or 100-amp panels that simply cannot support a modern kitchen's electrical load. If your home has a Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel (common in pre-1990 NB homes), a kitchen renovation is an excellent time to budget for a panel upgrade to 200 amps, which typically runs $2,500–$5,000 in NB. Don't discover this limitation mid-renovation.

Practical Tips

Plan your outlet layout before cabinets are ordered — outlet placement must coordinate with upper cabinet positioning, and moving an outlet after tile is up is expensive. Island and peninsula countertops that are 30 cm (12 inches) or wider also require their own receptacles. Under-cabinet lighting, range hood fans, and in-cabinet power bars for appliances all add to the circuit count and should be planned with your electrician from the start, not added as afterthoughts.

Budget $3,000–$8,000 for a full kitchen electrical rough-in as part of a mid-range kitchen renovation in NB, more if a panel upgrade is needed. Always get this quoted as a separate line item so you understand exactly what the electrical scope includes.

This is firmly professional territory. Kitchen electrical work requires a licensed electrician and TSANB inspection — no exceptions. For detailed electrical guidance beyond the kitchen, visit New Brunswick Electrical at newbrunswickelectrical.com. And if you're planning a full kitchen renovation and want to connect with experienced local contractors, New Brunswick Renovations can match you with professionals in your area for free.