Kitchen island installation in Morgan Hill, CA

How much space an island needs

Walkways of about 42 inches around an island are a common guideline, and more where two people cook at once. Your remodeler measures the room during the visit to see what size fits.

Islands with a sink or cooktop

A sink in an island needs a drain, a vent and supply lines brought up through the floor. A cooktop needs power or gas and ventilation. Both are the kind of work that needs a permit.

Outlets

Building codes require outlets on most islands. Adding them means new wiring, which goes through the City of Morgan Hill Building Division with the rest of the remodel.

Permits in Morgan Hill

The City lists residential kitchen and bathroom remodels under its Simple Plan Check, which means the plans need Building Division review only, not a separate planning approval.
The City requires a permit for any alteration or repair of an existing building, so moving plumbing, adding circuits, changing a gas line or opening a wall all go through the Building Division.
If you are unsure whether your scope needs a permit, the Building Division answers that question directly.

City of Morgan Hill Building Division · 17575 Peak Ave, (408) 778-6480

Common questions

Can I add an island to a small kitchen?

Sometimes. It depends on the clearance around it. A narrow island or a peninsula can work where a full island does not.

Does adding a kitchen island need a permit?

A plain island with no plumbing or wiring is often cabinet work. An island with outlets, a sink or a cooktop needs a permit.