Bathroom remodel, tub and shower wall
What's wrong here?
- A receptacle is installed inside the bathtub and shower space
- The cover must be a listed extra-duty in-use type
- A bathroom receptacle must be within 3 ft of the tub
- Nothing. This installation is compliant
Show the answer and the code reference
The answer
A receptacle is installed on the tub wall within the bathtub and shower space, where receptacles are prohibited regardless of GFCI protection or cover type.
Correct choice: 1. A receptacle is installed inside the bathtub and shower space
406.9(C) prohibits receptacles inside a tub or shower or within a zone that extends 3 ft horizontally from the outside edge of the tub or shower stall and up to 8 ft above the rim or threshold. The zone includes the space directly over the tub and the space below the zone, and stops only at a wall, door, window or other fixed barrier. This device sits about a foot above the rim inside the tub footprint, where a person standing in water with wet hands can reach it and the shower soaks it daily. GFCI protection reduces the shock risk but is not a substitute for keeping receptacles out of the zone, and a weatherproof lid does not change the rule.
How to fix it
Remove the receptacle from the tub wall: take the conductors back to an accessible box outside the zone and retile, or leave the box accessible with a blank cover if it must stay as a splice point. The basin receptacle required by 210.52(D) goes outside the zone, within 3 ft of the basin, with GFCI protection per 210.8(A)(1).
Code references
NEC 2023 406.9(C) — Bathtub and Shower Space
Receptacles shall not be installed inside a bathtub or shower or within a zone 3 ft horizontally from its outside edge and 8 ft vertically above the rim or threshold; the zone includes the space directly over the tub or shower and the space below the zone, but not space separated by a floor, wall, ceiling, door, window or fixed barrier. Exception: in bathrooms too small for the zone, the 210.52(D) receptacle may go on the farthest wall opposite the rim or threshold.
Drills citing 406.9(C)NEC 2023 210.8(A)(1) — GFCI Protection, Dwelling Units: Bathrooms
In dwelling units, all 125-volt through 250-volt receptacles installed in bathrooms, supplied by single-phase branch circuits rated 150 volts or less to ground, shall have GFCI protection for personnel.
Drills citing 210.8(A)(1)NEC 2023 210.52(D) — Bathrooms
At least one receptacle outlet shall be installed in bathrooms within 3 ft of the outside edge of each basin, on a wall or partition adjacent to the basin or basin countertop, on the countertop, or on the side or face of the basin cabinet, and not more than 12 in. below the top of the basin or countertop.
Drills citing 210.52(D)
2026 NEC:same rule and number. 2026 summaries describe the same 3 ft horizontal / 8 ft vertical no-receptacle zone around tubs and showers at 406.9(C), now in a section that also covers switches. The exceptions listed (small bathrooms, weight-supporting ceiling receptacles, electronic toilet or bidet seat) appear unchanged. This comes from search snippets, not the code text. Confidence: low
Minnesota
Minnesota adopted the 2023 NEC without amendment (Minn. Stat. 326B.35; Minn. Rules 1315.0200), so 406.9(C) applies as published to permits filed July 1, 2023 through Aug. 16, 2026. Permits filed on or after Aug. 17, 2026 fall under the 2026 NEC; see the 2026 NEC note on this drill.
How Minnesota adopts the NECWhy the other choices are wrong
- The cover must be a listed extra-duty in-use type. 406.9(C) prohibits receptacles in the tub and shower zone outright; no cover type makes that location acceptable.
- A bathroom receptacle must be within 3 ft of the tub. 210.52(D) requires a receptacle within 3 ft of the outside edge of each basin, not the tub. That is the vanity outlet, and it does not permit one in the tub zone.
- Nothing. This installation is compliant. GFCI protection does not cure a receptacle located within the tub and shower space; 406.9(C) forbids it.