# Cooking Unit, Counter-mounted: Building Code Definition

> How the IRC 2009 define cooking unit, counter-mounted, where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term.

- Canonical: https://harth.build/resources/glossary/cooking-unit-counter-mounted/
- Last updated: 2026-09-07
- Data source: Definitions quoted from the 2009 International Codes as transcribed in this site's building-codes collection, with the source chapter linked for each quotation. Usage counts are computed over the chapters hosted here, one copy per code. The [ICC code library](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) publishes the current model text and the [ICC adoption maps](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) show which edition a jurisdiction has adopted; those sources control.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Defined in | IRC 2009 (2009 editions transcribed in this corpus) |
| Primary source | IRC 2009 Electrical Definitions (model text, not a jurisdiction's adopted text) |
| Chapters using the term | 3 (counted across the codes hosted here) |
| Wording identical across codes | Single code (compare before citing one code's wording under another) |

## Direct answer

Cooking unit, counter-mounted is a defined term in the International Residential Code (IRC) 2009, in Electrical Definitions. The code's own words are: “A cooking appliance designed for mounting in or on a counter and consisting of one or more heating elements, internal wiring and built-in or separately mountable controls.” No other I-Code in this corpus defines it, so the IRC 2009 definition is the one to work from. The term is used in 3 chapters of this corpus, most often in Power and Lighting Distribution (IRC 2009), Branch Circuit and Feeder Requirements (IRC 2009), Electrical Definitions (IRC 2009). These pages transcribe the 2009 model text; verify the definition against the edition and amendments your authority having jurisdiction has adopted. Record the jurisdiction, the adopted edition, the application date and any local amendment that rewrites the definition before you use it on a live project, because a term redefined by amendment changes every requirement that depends on it.

*Content and cited inputs reviewed by [Scott Barrington](https://nz.linkedin.com/in/barrington), Harth founder and architectural technology specialist · Published 2026-09-07 · Updated 2026-09-07.*

## What does this term mean?

**Cooking Unit, Counter-mounted** — IRC 2009, Electrical Definitions:

> A cooking appliance designed for mounting in or on a counter and consisting of one or more heating elements, internal wiring and built-in or separately mountable controls.

![Labeled code-term definition diagram: Cooking Unit, Counter-mounted: Building Code Definition](https://efwwel0vyt9vy5so.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/images/glossary/cooking-unit-counter-mounted/diagram-1344.webp)

*How the IRC 2009 define cooking unit, counter-mounted, where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term.*

## What must be verified before using this guidance?

**Cooking Unit, Counter-mounted** is defined once in this corpus, in the [Electrical Definitions](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/irc-2009/electrical-definitions.md) chapter of the International Residential Code (IRC) 2009:

> A cooking appliance designed for mounting in or on a counter and consisting of one or more heating elements, internal wiring and built-in or separately mountable controls.

## Where cooking unit, counter-mounted is used in the code

The term appears in 3 chapters of the 2009 I-Codes hosted here. The chapters that lean on it hardest are the ones to read next.

| Chapter | Code | Mentions |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [Power and Lighting Distribution](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/irc-2009/power-and-lighting-distribution.md) | IRC 2009 | 9 |
| [Branch Circuit and Feeder Requirements](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/irc-2009/branch-circuit-and-feeder-requirements.md) | IRC 2009 | 5 |
| [Electrical Definitions](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/irc-2009/electrical-definitions.md) | IRC 2009 | 1 |

### The term in use

How the code actually writes about cooking unit, counter-mounted, quoted from the 2009 text hosted here:

> The branch-circuit load for one wall-mounted oven or one counter-mounted cooking unit shall be the nameplate rating of the appliance.

— [IRC 2009 §E3702.9](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/irc-2009/branch-circuit-and-feeder-requirements.md)

> Where a range, counter-mounted cooking unit, or sink is installed in an island or peninsular countertop and the width of the countertop behind the range, counter-mounted cooking unit, or sink is less than 12 inches (305 mm), the range, counter-mounted cooking unit, or sink has divided the countertop space into two separate countertop spaces as defined in Section E3901.4.4.

— [IRC 2009, Power and Lighting Distribution](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/irc-2009/power-and-lighting-distribution.md)


## The terms cooking unit, counter-mounted is built out of

The definition above leans on 1 other defined term. Each carries its own code definition, and a local amendment to any of them changes what cooking unit, counter-mounted covers:

- **[Appliance](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/appliance.md)** — IRC 2009: Utilization equipment, normally built in standardized sizes or types, that is installed or connected as a unit to perform one or more functions such as clothes washing, air conditioning, food mixing, deep frying, etc.

## Cooking Unit, Counter-mounted: what to open, and in what order

Every row is a document this term depends on. The [ICC code library](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) and the [ICC adoption maps](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) cover the middle rows.

| Check | Where | Confirmed |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Read the definition in the adopted IRC | Electrical Definitions | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Power and Lighting Distribution (IRC 2009) | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Branch Circuit and Feeder Requirements (IRC 2009) | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Electrical Definitions (IRC 2009) | |
| Confirm the dependent definition | Appliance | |
| Local amendment to any of the above | Jurisdiction's amendment list | |

**A research aid, not a code determination.** The authority having jurisdiction decides which edition and which amendments apply.

## Where can you explore related guidance?

- [Explore all glossary guidance](https://harth.build/resources/glossary.md)
- [Appliance: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/appliance.md)
- [Plenum: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/plenum.md)
- [Outlet: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/outlet.md)
- [Bathroom: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/bathroom.md)

## Sources and method

Definitions quoted from the 2009 International Codes as transcribed in this site's building-codes collection, with the source chapter linked for each quotation. Usage counts are computed over the chapters hosted here, one copy per code. The [ICC code library](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) publishes the current model text and the [ICC adoption maps](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) show which edition a jurisdiction has adopted; those sources control.

### Source links

- [codes.iccsafe.org](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes)

- [iccsafe.org](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/)

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the code definition of cooking unit, counter-mounted?

The International Residential Code (IRC) 2009 defines it in Electrical Definitions as: “A cooking appliance designed for mounting in or on a counter and consisting of one or more heating elements, internal wiring and built-in or separately mountable controls.” The 2009 model text is reproduced here; the definition that binds your project is the one in the edition your jurisdiction has adopted, as amended locally.

### Which parts of the code depend on cooking unit, counter-mounted?

In this corpus the term is used across 3 chapters, led by Power and Lighting Distribution in the IRC 2009. Those are the sections whose scope moves if the definition is amended locally, so read them together with Chapter 2 rather than on their own.

### What is the code for kitchen counter outlets?

Kitchen is a separate defined term. The IRC 2009 defines it as: “Kitchen shall mean an area used, or designated to be used, for the preparation of food.” That is not the same as cooking unit, counter-mounted, which the IRC 2009 defines as “A cooking appliance designed for mounting in or on a counter and consisting of one or more heating elements, internal wiring and built-in or separately mountable controls.” — read both before applying either, and confirm the wording in the edition your jurisdiction has adopted.

### What is the branch circuit demand load for a 6 kW counter mounted cooking unit?

In the 2009 I-Codes hosted here it is a defined term rather than a description. The IRC 2009 states, in Electrical Definitions: “A cooking appliance designed for mounting in or on a counter and consisting of one or more heating elements, internal wiring and built-in or separately mountable controls.” It is defined in IRC 2009. It is not the same as Branch Circuit, which the IRC 2009 defines separately as “The circuit conductors between the final overcurrent device protecting the circuit and the outlet(s).” Because it is a defined term, whatever the adopted edition says it means is what every section using it means — so check Chapter 2 of that edition and any local amendment before relying on this wording.

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