You're referring to the National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements for receptacle spacing along walls in habitable rooms. Let's break down the situation and address the code requirements.

The 6-Foot, 12-Foot Rule

The basic principle is this (simplified): 6-Foot Rule

No point along a wall line in a habitable room should be more than 6 feet horizontally from a receptacle outlet.

12-Foot Rule

This translates to a receptacle outlet being required every 12 feet (or less) along a wall line.

Why the Confusion with Sliding Glass Doors?

The key point is whether the sliding glass door is considered usable wall space for determining receptacle placement.

Here's the critical part of the NEC



NEC 210.52(A)(2)(1) Wall Space - As used in this section, a wall space shall include the following: (1) Walls 2 feet (600 mm) or more in width, including space measured around corners, and doorways (2) Fixed panels in exterior walls, excluding sliding glass doors.

So, does the 6/12 rule apply to sliding glass doors?

No, according to the NEC, fixed panels in exterior walls are considered wall space, and sliding glass doors are not considered wall space.

Floor Outlet Clarification (210.52(A)(3) in the NEC) NEC 210.52(A)(3): Floor Receptacles. Floor receptacles shall not be counted as one of the required wall receptacles.Exception: Floor receptacles shall be permitted to fulfill the requirement for receptacle outlets for fixed glass panels in accordance with 210.52(A)(2)(2) (fixed panel exception if not more than 8 feet wide and not more than 18 inches from the wall).In Summary and Applying it to Your Situation1. Sliding Glass Doors are NOT Wall Space

The 16-foot sliding glass door is

not considered wall space for determining receptacle spacing under the general 6/12 rule. The code explicitly excludes them.2. Floor Outlets and Sliding Glass Doors

Your inspection report states that a floor outlet is not within 18 inches. The code only mandates this requirement for fixed glass panels, not sliding glass doors.3.

Code Change Information

This specific interpretation of not considering sliding glass doors as wall space has been a part of the NEC for many code cycles. You would have to go back decades to find a change that allowed a sliding glass door to be considered wall space. The language in the code regarding exclusion of the sliding glass door is consistent in the 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2020, and 2023 editions of the NEC.

What You Should Include in Your Report

Since the lack of a receptacle is not a code violation, you should exclude it in your report.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal or electrical advice. Always consult the latest edition of the NEC and local codes, and consult with a licensed electrician for specific applications. Local jurisdictions can have amendments to the NEC. Flag for review