210.70 Required lighting outlets
What changed in 210.70
Wall switch became listed wall-mounted control device, that control has to be near an entrance to the room, and storage and equipment space lighting rules now cover all occupancies in one place.
Point by point
- Wall switch became listed wall-mounted control device: the control doesn't have to be a plain toggle, but it has to be listed.
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- 3 more points on exactly what changed
- The 2017 rule next to the 2020 rule, side by side
- Why it changed
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This section across NEC® editions
2020 NEC®RevisedYou're here
Wall switch became listed wall-mounted control device, that control has to be near an entrance to the room, and storage and equipment space lighting rules now cover all occupancies in one place.
2023 NEC®Revised
Laundry areas now need a lighting outlet, battery-powered controls and bulkhead doors are addressed, and stairway dimmer rules were clarified.
Open the 2023 page →2026 NEC®Revised
Battery wording was removed, laundry lighting was clarified, and switches were added back in.
Open the 2026 page →More 2020 changes in Article 210
This is a plain-English summary, not the NEC®'s exact wording. Always check the full section in the NEC® edition your area has adopted, plus any local amendments.
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