What is the proper height for electrical outlets and switches in Ontario?

Standard outlet height in Ontario is 300mm (12 inches) from the finished floor to the centre of the outlet box, and standard switch height is 1,200mm (48 inches) from the finished floor to the centre of the switch box. These are the conventional measurements used across virtually all residential construction in the GTA, though the Ontario Electrical Safety Code and Ontario Building Code provide some flexibility and also impose specific accessibility requirements.

The 300mm outlet height and 1,200mm switch height are builder-standard conventions rather than rigid code mandates. The Ontario Electrical Safety Code primarily concerns itself with electrical safety — proper wiring, grounding, GFCI protection, circuit capacity — while the Ontario Building Code addresses outlet and switch height mainly through its accessibility provisions. In practice, every electrician in the GTA uses these standard heights unless there is a specific reason to deviate.

Kitchen countertop outlets are the major exception. These are mounted above the backsplash, typically 1,050mm to 1,100mm (about 42 to 44 inches) from the finished floor, which places them roughly 150mm to 200mm above a standard 900mm (36-inch) countertop. The Ontario Electrical Safety Code requires outlets along kitchen countertops to be spaced so that no point along the counter is more than 900mm (about 36 inches) from an outlet — this is the kitchen outlet spacing rule that drives the number and placement of countertop outlets. All kitchen countertop outlets must be GFCI-protected.

Bathroom outlets are typically mounted at the same height as kitchen countertop outlets, above the vanity backsplash area, and must be GFCI-protected. At least one outlet is required within 1 metre of each basin.

Accessibility requirements under the Ontario Building Code (specifically for barrier-free design) call for outlets to be mounted between 400mm and 1,200mm from the finished floor, and switches between 900mm and 1,100mm. These measurements apply to barrier-free dwelling units and are increasingly adopted in general residential construction for aging-in-place design. If you or a family member uses a wheelchair or has mobility limitations, mounting outlets at 450mm to 500mm (18 to 20 inches) and switches at 900mm to 1,000mm (36 to 40 inches) makes daily use significantly easier.

Garage and workshop outlets are often mounted higher — 1,200mm (48 inches) or even 1,500mm (60 inches) — to be accessible above workbenches and to keep outlets away from floor-level moisture. This is a practical preference rather than a code requirement.

Outdoor outlets have no specific height requirement beyond being accessible and properly weatherproofed, though most electricians mount them at standard 300mm height or slightly higher to keep them clear of snow accumulation in winter — a practical consideration in the GTA where snow can pile up against foundations from December through March.

If you are renovating and adding outlets or switches, communicate your height preferences to your electrician before they start rough-in. Changing heights after the boxes are installed and wired means redoing work and patching drywall. For new outlet and switch installation, Toronto Electrical Repair can connect you with a licensed GTA electrician who will ensure everything meets code and matches your preferences.