Residential Kitchen RemodelCity of Cypress
Community Development: Building Division
5275 Orange Avenue
Cypress, CA 90630
(714) 229-6730
RESIDENTIAL
KITCHEN REMODELS
A permit is required for kitchen remodels that include removal and replacement and/or relocation of kitch-
en cabinets, countertops, sink, dishwasher, new/altered island or replacement/alteration to the electrical,
& exhaust hood. A permit is not required for kitchen countertop replacement or re-facing of the existing
cabinets. If a permit is required it must be obtained prior to the start of the remodel.
This handout is for information and reference only, and is not a substitute for plans prepared for
each project.
The following is a list of the general requirements based on the 2019 California Electrical Code (CEC),
2019 California Residential Code (CRC), 2019 California Mechanical Code (CMC), and 2019 California
Plumbing Code (CPC), 2019 California Energy Code (CEnC), 2019 California Green Building Standards
Code (CalGreen) and the California Civil Code. Contact the Building & Safety Division for any questions
or additional information, including requirements for new/altered plumbing (water, sewer, or gas lines) or
mechanical (bathroom exhaust fan).
Water Conserving Plumbing Fixtures [California Civil Code 1101.4(a)]
The California Civil Code requires that all Residential buildings constructed before January 1, 1994 with
existing non-compliant plumbing fixtures (based on water efficiency) throughout the house be upgraded
whenever a building permit is issued for remodeling improvements even if the fixtures are not within the
scope of work. The following table shows the fixtures that are considered to be non-compliant and the type
of water-conserving plumbing fixture that should be installed.
Type of Fixture Non-Compliant Plumbing Fix-
ture
Required Water-Conserving
Plumbing Fixture (max. rate)
[CalGreen 4.303]
Water Closet (Toilet)More than 1.6 gallons/flush 1.28 gallons/flush
Urinal More than 1.0 gallons/flush 0.125 gallons/flush for wall
mount; 0.50 for others
Showerhead More than 2.5 gallons/minute 1.8 gallons/flush at 80 psi
Faucet-Bathroom More than 2.2 gallons/minute 1.2 gallons/minute at 60 psi
Faucet- Kitchen More than 2.2 gallons/minute 1.8 gallons/minute at 60 psi
Plumbing
l The hot water valve shall be installed on the left side where two separate handles control are provided
[CPC 417.5]
l Traps for Island sinks shall be roughed in above the floor and maybe vented by extending the vent as
high as possible, but not less than the drain board height and then returning it downward and connecting
it to the horizontal sink drain immediately downstream from the vertical fixture drain. [CPC 909.1]
l Air gap required for dishwasher connected to Garbage Disposal or tailpiece of sink. [CPC 414.4, 807.3]
Kitchen Lighting Requirements
l All installed luminaire (lighting) shall be high efficacy in accordance with CEnC Table 150.0-A
l Cabinet (in and under) lighting shall be switched separately from other lighting systems. [CEnC 150.0
(k)(2)K]
l All recessed lighting shall be “IC Rated and Airtight Certified.” [CEnC 150.0 (k)(C-ii)]
24" MAX
12" MAXAT LEAST (1) GFCI RECEPTACLE AT KITCHEN ISLANDS GFCI RECEPTACLE AT COUNTERS GREATER THAN 24" IN LENGTH
AFCI/GFCIRECEPTACLE AT BACK OF COUNTERS FACING AWAY FROM KITCHEN
ALL LIGHTING SHALL BE HIGH EFFICACY LIGHTING
MIN. TWO 20 AMP SMALL APPLIANCE (GFCI) CIRCUITS
24" MAX
72" MAX
COUNTE
R
>
2
4"
UNDER-CABINET LIGHTS MUST HAVE A SEPARATE SWITCH
30" MIN FROM COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS48" MAX
24" MA
X
48" MAX 24" MAX
6"
MAX
48" MAX24" MAX
24" MA
X
COUNTER
OVERHANG
l For occupancies with a horizontal (floor/ ceiling) assembly fire-rated separation, the recessed fixtures
shall be protected to the same rating of the separation (1-hour) or be listed for the required fire protec-
tion. This generally applies to residential condominium construction where units are above or below
other units. [CBC 714.4.2]
Electrical
l Counter top receptacles shall meet all of the following requirements: [CEC 210.8, 210.52, 406.12]
u All receptacles shall be GFCI protected and tamper-resistant (TR).
u Wall receptacle shall be provided at all wall countertop spaces with a minimum dimension of
12” wide to Be located so that no point along the wall line is more than 24’ measured horizontally
from the receptacles on the counter space.
u Islands/peninsulas (min long dimension of 24” & short dimension of 12”) shall have at least
one receptacle mounted not more than 12 inches below the countertop and where the counter
top does not extend more than 6 inches beyond its support base.
l All receptacles at the following location shall be GFCI protected and tamper-resistant (TR):
u Within 6-ft of the outside edge of sink.
u Supplying dishwashers.
l The GFCI shall be installed in a readily accessible location.
l Kitchen receptacles shall be supplied by circuits meeting all of the following requirements: [CEC
210.11(c), 210.52, 422.16]
dAir gap where dishwashers are installed
Minimum of two 20-Amp small appliance
branch circuits shall be provided to serve all
wall & floor receptacles, and counter-top re-
ceptacles.[210.11(C)(1)]
Rangehoods may be cord and plug connect-
ed if the receptacle is accessible and on an
individual circuit.[422.16(B)]
Microwaves shall be on an individual branch
circuit rated at 15 amps or greater. [210.52(B)
(1)]
The existing electrical panel may need to be
upgraded or a sub panel added, if the re-
quirements above cannot be accommodat-
ed.
l All 120-V, single-phase, 15-and 20-amp
branch circuits that supply outlets or devices
installed in kitchens shall be AFCI protected.
The AFCI shall be installed in a readily accessible location. [CEC 210.12]
Kitchen Hood Ventilation
l Local exhaust system shall be installed in the kitchen and vented to the outdoors (recirculation prohib-
ited) with a minimum exhaust rate as indicated in the table below. [CEnC 150(o), ASHRAE std. 62.2]
INTERMITTENT CONTINUOUS
APPLICATION MIN FLOW RATE NOTES MIN FLOW RATE NOTES
KITCHEN 100 CFM
Vented Range
hood required if
exhaust fan flow is
less than 100 CFM
5 Air changes
per hr
Based on
kitchen volume
l Ducts used for kitchen range ventilation shall be of metal and have smooth interior surface. Aluminum
flex duct is prohibited. A back draft damper shall be provided. [CMC 504.3, 504.1.1]
l Upper cabinets shall be a minimum of 30” above cooking top. Cabinets and kitchen range hood shall
be installed with the minimum clearances as required by the range/cooktop manufacture’s installation
instructions. [CMC 920.3.2]
Energy (Title-24)
l All Exterior walls exposed during construction shall be insulated with min R-13 2x4 walls, R-20 2x6 walls
[CEnC 150.0 (C)(6)]
l All Roofing/Ceiling exposed during construction shall be insulated with min R-19 [CEnC 150.2(b),
150.0(a)1]
l All accessible joints, penetrations and other openings in the building envelope about the area of work
shall be caulked, gasketed, weather stripped or otherwise sealed. [CEnC 110.7]
24" M
A
X
WHE
N
d =<1
8
"
24" MAX
WHEN
d =<18"
CORNER SINKS
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
l Smoke alarms shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 217 and installed in accordance with
the provisions of NFPA 72.
Alarms shall be tested and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Alarms that
no longer function must be replaced.
l Carbon Monoxide alarms are not required if there is no fuel-burning appliances or fireplace in the unit
and where the garage is detached from the unit. [CRC 315.2.1]
l Carbon Monoxide alarms shall be installed on the ceiling or wall (above the door header) outside each
separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms, on each story of a multistory unit, in
basements and bedrooms where a fuel-burning appliance is located within the bedroom or its attached
bathroom. [CRC 315.3]
l Carbon monoxide alarms (including smoke and carbon monoxide combination alarms) shall be listed
in accordance with UL 2034 (and UL 217 for combo alarms) and installed and maintained in accordance
with NFPA 720 & manufactures instructions.
l In Multifamily buildings, all required smoke and carbon monoxide alarms shall be equipped with the
capability to support visible alarm notification in accordance with NFPA 720.
Green Building Standards
• Adhesives, sealants, caulks, paints & coatings shall comply with the VOC limits. [CalGreen 4.504.2.1
& 4.504.2.2]
l Aerosol paints & coatings shall meet the Product-Weighted MIR limits for ROC [CalGreen 4.504.2.3]
l Minimum 80% of the installed resilient flooring shall comply with one or more certified products per
CalGreen Section 4.504.4
l Interior use of hardwood plywood particle board, and medium density fiberboard composite wood
products shall comply with the formaldehyde limits per CalGreen Table 4.504.5
l New framing shall not be enclosed when the framing members have a moisture context exceeding
19% [CalGreen 4.505.3]
Permit Approval Requirements
l A completed building permit application. (Plan review may be done over the counter depending on
complexity of the remodel)
l Provide the following plans for review: (total of 3 copies must be provided)
u Site Plan (not required to be to scale) to show the property lines at all sides, outline of existing
structures on the lot, location of the public streets/alleys/easements and a north arrow. Approximately
identify/highlight the location of the area of work o Floor Plan with dimensions about the remodeled area.
Partial floor plan is allowed, but must show adjacent rooms/areas.
Show all proposed work on the plan.
u If the kitchen layout will be changed, then an existing floor plan and a proposed floor plan must be
provided. If walls are being demolished, then an existing framing layout is required to determine if the
wall is bearing or non-load bearing. Engineering may be required.
u Permit Fees (including all MEP Fees) and administrative fees are required.
Inspections
A Minimum of two inspections are required for kitchen remodels. A rough electrical inspection should be
scheduled after the electrical boxes are installed and prior to any devices being connected. Any other
structural, mechanical or plumbing alterations should also be scheduled for a rough inspection. The final
inspection should be scheduled once all the work has been completed.