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Panel rules in Québec: location and clearance
The clearance in front, the height limit and the prohibited locations: what Québec’s code says and when to act.
In short
An electrical panel can’t go just anywhere. Chapter V of Québec’s Construction Code requires at least 1 metre of clearance in front, caps the highest handle at 1.7 metres from the floor, and flatly prohibits some locations — including the bathroom, the clothes closet and the stairwell.
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The clearance in front of the panel
It’s the rule broken most often, and almost always without meaning to: a shelf, a freezer, stacked boxes.
| What’s required | The measurement | Where it’s written |
|---|---|---|
| Working space in front of the panel, allowing a stable position | At least 1 m | Section 2-308 |
| Opening of doors and hinged panels | 90° minimum, in addition to the 1 m | Section 2-308 |
| Width of that space | At least the width of the panel, plus 200 mm on each side if the wiring comes in from the sides | RBQ technical interpretation |
| Storage in front of or under the panel | Prohibited — the space must stay clear at all times | Section 2-308 and RBQ technical interpretation |
In practice: a washer, a dryer or a freezer under the panel is a no. A shelf 80 cm in front is a no too. The RBQ tolerates an item under the panel only if it doesn’t get in the way of the work and doesn’t extend more than 200 mm beyond the depth of the panel: an appliance exceeds that limit. And the space must stay clear from top to bottom, not just at eye level. To hide it without blocking that space, see our guide on hiding your electrical panel.
The maximum height
In a dwelling, no breaker handle may be more than 1.7 metres above the finished floor (section 26-600 of the 2026 Code, formerly section 26-402). It’s an accessibility rule: everyone must be able to reset a breaker without climbing on something.
It’s often this detail that forces a panel to be moved during a replacement, when the old one had been mounted too high in a low basement.
Where a panel is prohibited
The code names the locations, and the list is short:
“Panelboards shall not be located in coal bins, clothes closets, bathrooms, stairwells, rooms with high ambient temperature, hazardous locations or other places with similar drawbacks.” (translated from French)
Chapter V, Electricity, 2018 edition — section 26-402. In the 2026 edition, this list is in section 6-206 for the service box.
The garage, the closet and the bathroom
Three cases come up all the time, and the answers surprise people.
| The location | Allowed? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A clothes closet, walk-in or not | No | It’s a clothes closet, specifically prohibited by the code. |
| A bathroom | No | Named in the code’s list. |
| A stairwell | No | Named in the code’s list. |
| A garage | Yes | The garage isn’t on the code’s list. |
The garage case often surprises. The panel is allowed there, but the 1 m space in front must stay clear: no shelf, workbench or freezer.
Which code applies in Québec?
It’s Chapter V, Electricity, of the Construction Code of Québec — the Québec version of the Canadian Electrical Code. It isn’t the American code: the measurements found on American websites don’t apply here.
The update of Chapter V came into force on March 26, 2026. The transition period was extended: the previous version remains applicable for work started before October 17, 2027.
Who is allowed to replace a panel in Québec?
Changing or moving a panel isn’t a do-it-yourself job, whatever your skills: the law decides. The CMEQ reminds owners that only an electrical contractor may do electrical work, in their own home or for others, and that breaking the Master Electricians Act or the Building Act exposes you to a fine of $5,000 to $200,888.
Our company, a CMEQ member, holds RBQ licence 5815-0137-01. When we replace a 200 A panel, the job takes a day and the power is off for about five hours; you get the price in the written quote, at no charge.
Frequently asked questions
My panel is in a closet. Is that illegal?
If it’s a clothes closet, yes: the code specifically prohibits it. A utility closet or a storage closet with no clothes doesn’t necessarily fall into the same category — that has to be checked on site.
Can I put my dryer under the panel?
No. The space around the panel must not be used for storage or to hold an appliance, and it must stay clear from top to bottom.
My panel is too high. Does it have to be moved?
If a handle is more than 1.7 metres above the finished floor, yes. It’s common in old basements, and it’s usually dealt with during the replacement.
Do American standards apply here?
No. The reference code in Québec is Chapter V, Electricity, of the Construction Code. The values found on American websites — spaces, heights — aren’t the ones that apply here.
Can I check myself whether my panel complies?
You can measure the clearance and the height, which is already a lot. The rest — capacity, condition of the connections, compliance of the installation — takes a master electrician.
Is your panel where it should be?
A photo of the panel and the space in front is often enough for us to tell you what to do.
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