Under NEC 210.70(A)(1), which location in a dwelling does not require a switch-controlled lighting outlet?

• A. Clothes closet
• B. Attached garage
• C. Bathroom
• D. Kitchen

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that the NEC requires lighting in most dwelling areas to be controllable by a wall switch when you enter the space, for safety and convenience. But there’s an exception for clothes closets: you don’t have to rely on a wall switch at the door to control the closet light. In a closet, lighting is allowed to be activated by other means, such as a pull chain or a sensor, rather than being tied to a wall switch at the entry.

That’s why the clothes closet is the correct location for not requiring a switch-controlled lighting outlet. In contrast, an attached garage, bathroom, and kitchen are spaces where switch-controlled lighting is required to ensure you have immediate, controllable light when you enter or use the space.