Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Free-standing gas range left right interior wall clearance

Hello. I’m new to the boards and hoping to get an answer to what should be a fairly simple question.

I’m remodeling the kitchen in my girlfriend’s NYC apartment in Manhattan. The current kitchen configuration has the left side of the gas range directly against an interior wall of the adjoining apartment.

I’m well aware this is a no-no under newer New York State Residential Building Codes. I know there must be a minimum clearance for gas ranges from interior walls, there is in NJ. I know there is 30-inch minimum clearance for above the range micro-hoods and cabinets. However, I can’t find what that minimum is for left right interior walls…? Space is obviously at a premium and if I could use a 3” filler plate the layout of the new cabinets on the right side of the stove would workout better. However, I want to be on code and I don’t know if 3 inches satisfies the code.

The people at Home Depot and Lowes who did the cabinet design and layout had two different stories. No one could tell me with certainty. If someone could please inform me, or point me in the right direction for how to look it up, as to the minimum left right clearance for a freestanding gas range form an interior wall based on New York City Building Codes I would really appreciate it.

Thank you,
Joe

Hi Joe,

I don't know if anyone here will be able to answer that question...(I live in Virginia, so I'm sure I don't know:)

Can't you just Google the code and zoning for the city, get a number and call?

You can post a picture, or a link to a picture, and I'm sure someone will be able to cite national building code in reference to your remodel.

Connie

Would seem a quick phone call the the building permit office would be in order....

I did a quick Google as suggested - don't want to go there...Phew!!

Ha! Too many options, Z?:)

Start here: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/reference/code_internet.shtml

Manufacturer's recommended clearances tend to vary. Check with manufacturer of free standing range for recommended clearance. For example: Hotpoint states,
"30" Electric Ranges conform to U.L. requirements for 0" spacing from walls below countertops. Allow 1-1/2" spacing from the side of the range to adjacent vertical walls above the cooktop surface." Bosch states for gas convection range, "No clearance is required from unit walls to adjacent vertical combustible walls on rear, right or left
Clearance from range top to adjacent vertical walls must be at least 4”." JennAir says, "A free-standing range may be installed adjacent to (0" from) combustible walls." This info may be in owner's manual. Many owner's manuals can be found online.

Hey Connie, Thanks for the link! I downloaded the 1001 page entire building code document and found the minimum wall clearance for a free standing gas range is 6".

Thanks to everyone who posted!

That's great, Schick! Now, when someone asks me again about NY code, I'm going to say, "I know dis guy..."

Depending on cabinet manufacturer, 9" wide cabinet is the smallest width and 6" the widest filler.

It's a good thing to check local codes, because they can exceed manufacturer's recommendations.