11B-804 Kitchens, Kitchenettes and Wet Bars — 2025 California Building Code
California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-09-25 · California
CBSC: official editions, supplements and errata
Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.
Cite as: 2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2) § 11B-804 · Effective January 1, 2026 · Official source: Building Standards Commission
11B- 804.1 General. Kitchens, kitchenettes and wet bars shall comply with Section 11B- 804 .
11B- 804.2 Clearance. Where a pass through kitchen is provided, clearances shall comply with Section 11B- 804.2.1. Where a Ushaped kitchen is provided, clearances shall comply with Section 11B- 804.2.2.
Exception: Spaces that do not provide a cooktop or conventional range shall not be required to comply with Section 11B- 804.2.
11B- 804.2.1 Pass through kitchen. In pass through kitchens where counters, appliances or cabinets are on two opposing sides, or where counters, appliances or cabinets are opposite a parallel wall, clearance between all opposing base cabinets, countertops, appliances or walls within kitchen work areas shall be 40 inches ( 1016 mm) minimum. Pass through kitchens shall have two entries.
11B-116 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE
ACCESSIBILITY TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS, COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AND PUBLIC HOUSING
FIGURE 11B-804.2.1—PASS THROUGH KITCHENS
11B- 804.2.2 U-shaped. In U-shaped kitchens enclosed on three contiguous sides, clearance between all opposing base cabinets, countertops, appliances or walls within kitchen work areas shall be 60 inches ( 1524 mm) minimum.
11B-804.2.3 Turning space. In kitchens within multi-bedroom housing units and on floors containing accessible sleeping rooms with
adaptable features in undergraduate student housing, turning spaces complying with Section 11B-304 shall be provided.
11B- 804.3 Kitchen work surface. In residential dwelling units required to comply with Section 11B- 809, at least one 30 inches ( 762 mm) wide minimum section of counter shall provide a kitchen work surface that complies with Section 11B-804.3. In kitchens within multi-bedroom housing units and on floors containing accessible sleeping rooms with adaptable features in undergraduate student housing, at least one 30 inches (762 mm) wide minimum section of counter shall provide a kitchen work surface that complies with Section 11B-804.3.
11B- 804.3.1 Clear floor or ground space. A clear floor space complying with Section 11B- 305 positioned for a forward approach shall be provided. The clear floor or ground space shall be centered on the kitchen work surface and shall provide knee and toe clearance complying with Section 11B- 306 .
Exception: Cabinetry shall be permitted under the kitchen work surface provided that all of the following conditions are met:
(a) the cabinetry can be removed without removal or replacement of the kitchen work surface;
(b) the finish floor extends under the cabinetry; and
(c) the walls behind and surrounding the cabinetry are finished.
ACCESSIBILITY TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS, COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AND PUBLIC HOUSING
11B- 804.3.2 Height. The kitchen work surface shall be 34 inches ( 864 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground.
Exception: A counter that is adjustable to provide a kitchen work surface at variable heights, 29 inches ( 737 mm) minimum and 36 inches ( 914 mm) maximum, shall be permitted.
11B- 804.3.3 Exposed surfaces. There shall be no sharp or abrasive surfaces under the work surface counters.
11B- 804.4 Sinks. Sinks shall comply with Section 11B- 606.
11B- 804.5 Storage. At least 50 percent of shelf space in storage facilities shall comply with Section 11B- 811 .
11B- 804.6 Appliances. Where provided, kitchen appliances shall comply with Section 11B- 804.6.
11B- 804.6.1 Clear floor or ground space. A clear floor or ground space complying with Section 11B- 305 shall be provided at each kitchen appliance. Clear floor or ground spaces shall be permitted to overlap.
11B- 804.6.2 Operable parts. All appliance controls shall comply with Section 11B- 309 .
Exceptions:
- Appliance doors and door latching devices shall not be required to comply with Section 11B- 309.4.
- Bottom-hinged appliance doors, when in the open position, shall not be required to comply with Section 11B- 309.3.
11B- 804.6.3 Dishwasher. Clear floor or ground space shall be positioned adjacent to the dishwasher door. The dishwasher door, in the open position, shall not obstruct the clear floor or ground space for the dishwasher or the sink.
11B- 804.6.4 Range or cooktop. Where a forward approach is provided, the clear floor or ground space shall provide knee and toe clearance complying with Section 11B- 306. Where knee and toe space is provided, the underside of the range or cooktop shall be insulated or otherwise configured to prevent burns, abrasions or electrical shock. The location of controls shall not require reaching across burners.
11B- 804.6.5 Oven. Ovens shall comply with Section 11B- 804.6.5.
11B- 804.6.5.1 Side-hinged door ovens. Side-hinged door ovens shall have the work surface required by Section 11B- 804.3 positioned adjacent to the latch side of the oven door.
11B- 804.6.5.2 Bottom-hinged door ovens. Bottom-hinged door ovens shall have the work surface required by Section 11B- 804.3 positioned adjacent to one side of the door.
11B- 804.6.5.3 Controls. Ovens shall have controls on front panels.
11B- 804.6.6 Refrigerator/freezer. Combination refrigerators and freezers shall have at least 50 percent of the freezer space 54 inches ( 1372 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground. The clear floor or ground space shall be positioned for a parallel approach to the space dedicated to a refrigerator/freezer with the centerline of the clear floor or ground space offset 24 inches (610 mm) maximum from the centerline of the dedicated space.
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