| Primary value | 5.0 m² ((min width 1.8 m)) |
| Applies to | Separate kitchens in residential dwellings |
| Exceptions | Kitchen-cum-store → 5.5 m² min (with min width 1.8 m) |
| Kitchen as part of dining (no partition) → No separate min — falls under combined space | |
| Kitchen-cum-dining room → 7.5 m² min (with min width 2.1 m) | |
| Kitchen in Low Income Housing (LIH) / EWS dwelling → 3.3 m² min (if provided as a separate room) | |
| Measured as | Net floor area within the kitchen walls. Width measured perpendicular to the longer dimension. |
| Source | NBC 2016 — NBC 2016, Part 3, Clause 12.3 and Table 5 ✓ Verified |
This minimum area ensures sufficient space for a standard kitchen platform, sink, and essential appliances like a refrigerator and gas cylinder, as per typical Indian household needs. It provides a safe, unhindered working zone for the cook, reducing risks of burns or accidents from hot oil and utensils.
While 5.0 m² is the legal minimum for a separate kitchen, developers of mid-range apartments often provide 6-8 m². For open-plan layouts where the kitchen merges with the dining/living area, the dedicated kitchen workspace might be smaller, but the combined area must meet the requirements for habitable rooms.