Code Change Summary: A new code section was added to require a 20 amp circuit for a dwelling unit garage.

Similar to the requirements in the NEC^® for 120-volt, 20 amp circuits in the bathroom, laundry and kitchen areas of a dwelling, now one is required for dwelling unit garages.

Not all dwelling units have a garage. For those that do, whether attached or detached, if the garage is supplied with electric power, at least one 120-volt, 20-ampere branch circuit must be installed to supply garage receptacle outlets.

The intent of the code change was to address the use of cord and plug connected garage appliances and many portable tools that commonly draw 12 to 16 amps. This is just too much for the typical 15 amp garage branch circuit that often supplies the garage lighting outlet as well.

The last sentence of the code change states that this garage circuit shall have no other “outlets”. This means anything besides garage receptacle type outlets. The way the code change is written, it would be a code violation to supply the garage lighting outlet from this branch circuit, but the exception allows the circuit to also supply “readily accessible outdoor receptacle outlets”.

“Readily accessible outdoor receptacle outlets” are those receptacles that can be reached without using a portable ladder (see Article 100 definition of Readily Accessible). Holiday lighting receptacles up under the eaves will most likely be accessible rather than readily accessible.

Below is a preview of Article 210. See the actual NEC^® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2017 NEC^® edition of NFPA 70.