406.9 Damp and wet locations
What changed in 406.9
Receptacles are now kept out of a zone 3 feet out and 8 feet up from a bathtub or shower, with an exception for small bathrooms.
Point by point
- No receptacle can sit within 3 ft sideways of a tub rim or shower threshold, up to 8 ft above it.
The full lesson is in the Pro Version
Get the whole breakdown
- 3 more points on exactly what changed
- The 2017 rule next to the 2020 rule, side by side
- Why it changed
- What to do and check on the job
One membership unlocks every NEC® change lesson for 2020, 2023 and 2026, plus every video, quiz, flashcard and the Testing Center.
Checking your membership…
This section across NEC® editions
2020 NEC®RevisedYou're here
Receptacles are now kept out of a zone 3 feet out and 8 feet up from a bathtub or shower, with an exception for small bathrooms.
2023 NEC®Revised
Damp and wet location cover rules were reworked, all other wet-location receptacles must now be weather-resistant, and the tub and shower zone was clarified and got three new exceptions.
Open the 2023 page →2026 NEC®No change
This section did not change from 2023 to 2026.
More 2020 changes in Article 406
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.
NEC® and National Electrical Code® are registered trademarks of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Electrical Exam Coach is not affiliated with or endorsed by NFPA.
Find it faster on test day