Kitchen island in Milpitas, CA

Fitting an island to the room

The walkway around an island needs room for doors and drawers to open and for people to pass. The National Kitchen & Bath Association suggests at least 42 inches of aisle for one cook and 48 for two. A remodeler checks this against your floor plan.

Power, water and gas

Islands generally need outlets under the electrical code. A prep sink needs a drain and vent routed under the floor, and a cooktop needs a circuit or gas line plus ventilation. Each of these adds a permit in Milpitas.

Island vocabulary

Overhang: the counter extending past the cabinets for knee space. Corbel: a bracket supporting a deep overhang. Peninsula: an island attached to a wall or cabinet run on one end. Air admittance valve: a one-way vent sometimes allowed for island sinks.

Permits in Milpitas

Milpitas requires a building permit for remodeling and repair work on homes, and the permit has to be issued before work starts, even if the plans are already in review.
Separate plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits cover installing, replacing or relocating sinks, gas lines, wiring and hoods. Finish work such as painting, tiling, cabinets and countertops does not need a building permit.
Kitchen remodel permits are among the permits the Office of Building Safety offers online. A property owner can pull a permit for any work; a licensed contractor pulls it as the owner's agent for work the license covers.

City of Milpitas Office of Building Safety · 455 E. Calaveras Blvd, (408) 586-3240

Common questions

How big should a kitchen island be?

As big as the clearances allow, not bigger. Measure the room minus the aisle widths on every side to find the real limit.

Is a peninsula a good alternative?

In narrower kitchens, yes. A peninsula needs clearance on fewer sides and can still offer seating.