My kitchen plan has a 10-foot island with no cabinets, a peninsula, and 14 linear feet of counter along the wall with the sink in the middle.

Current NEC 2023 Requirements:

Wall Counter (14 linear ft):

• Minimum 3 receptacles required (NEC 210.52(C)(1))
• One within 4 feet of sink, others spaced ≤4 feet apart
• Must be GFCI protected (210.8(A)(6))

Peninsula:

• Minimum 1 receptacle (210.52(C)(2))
• If ≥4 feet long, consider 2 receptacles for convenience

Island (10-foot):

• Minimum 2 receptacles required (210.52(C)(2))
• Must be GFCI protected (210.8(A)(6))
• Receptacles cannot be more than 24 inches apart (210.52(C)(2) Exception)

Recent Changes (2023 NEC):

• Island receptacles now require GFCI protection - this is new! Previously, island receptacles were exempt from GFCI requirements unless within 6 feet of a sink.
• The 2020 NEC first introduced GFCI protection for all kitchen island receptacles, and this remains in 2023.

Circuit Requirements:

• All kitchen countertop receptacles (wall, peninsula, island) must be served by minimum 2 small appliance branch circuits (210.11(C)(1))
• These circuits cannot serve other outlets (like lighting)
• GFCI protection can be provided by GFCI circuit breakers or GFCI receptacles

Recommendation: Install at least 2 GFCI-protected circuits for all countertop receptacles, with a minimum of 6 total receptacles (3 wall, 1 peninsula, 2 island). Consider adding a third circuit for the island if you plan high-draw appliances.

Current Code (2023 NEC) Requirements:

Wall Counter (14 ft):

• Receptacles: Minimum 3 (210.52(A)(1): first 12" + every 48" thereafter). At 14 ft (168"), you need receptacles at ≤12", ≤60", ≤108", ≤156" = 4 receptacles minimum.
• Circuits: Minimum two 20A small-appliance branch circuits (210.11(C)(1)). These must serve only kitchen/dining/pantry receptacles. Split receptacles across circuits (e.g., 2 per circuit).

Peninsula:

• Treated as wall counter (210.52(A)(2)). If ≥24" wide, needs receptacle within 12" of end. Counts toward wall spacing.

Island (10 ft, no cabinets):

• Major 2023 Change: *210.52(C)(3) now requires receptacles for all islands/peninsulas ≥24" x 12" (previously only if ≥9 ft²).*
• Receptacles: Minimum 2 (one per 9 ft² or fraction thereof; 210.52(C)(3)). For 10 ft island (assume 3–4 ft wide = 30–40 ft²), need 4–5 receptacles.
• Pop-up receptacles now explicitly permitted (210.52(C)(3) Exception).
• Circuits: Fed from the two required small-appliance circuits (210.52(B)(1)). No dedicated circuit required unless local amendment.

Summary:

• Total receptacles: ~8–9 (4 wall + 1 peninsula + 3–4 island).
• Circuits: Two 20A small-appliance circuits (12/2 AWG CU, GFCI-protected per 210.8(A)(6)).
• Key 2023 change: Island receptacle mandate lowered from 9 ft² to any island ≥24" x 12".

Verify local adoption—some jurisdictions are on 2020 NEC (island threshold still 9 ft²). Always GFCI-protect all countertop receptacles.