What to Know Before Building an Outdoor Kitchen

With indoor gatherings limited by the coronavirus pandemic, many homeowners took a good, hard look at improving their outdoor living spaces. With 90 percent of U.S. homeowners believing that “outdoor living space is more valuable than ever,” it’s no wonder 78 percent of Americans made upgrades to these spaces in 2020.

If you’re among those people, one of the most impactful upgrades you can make is adding an outdoor kitchen. Unfortunately, poor planning and design can lead to regrets and wasted money. To avoid this, here’s what you need to know before building an outdoor kitchen.

Permits and Building Restrictions for an Outdoor Kitchen

“Anytime there is sewer, water, electric or gas, a simple permit and inspection are required,” says Gregg Cantor, president and CEO of Murray Lampert Design. He advises checking with local officials for permit requirements before you start your build.

If you’re a member of a homeowners association (HOA), there may be restrictions on outdoor kitchens. Cantor recommends checking for any Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC & Rs) in your HOA agreement as a first step.

Factors That Determine If You Need A Permit

• Appliance installation: For a fully functional outdoor kitchen, you will require gas grills, sinks and refrigerators, which often require plumbing, gas or electrical permits.Structure size: In many areas, constructions exceeding 120 sq. ft. require permits, so plan accordingly.
• Roofing or covers: Outdoor roofing increases the longevity of your outdoor kitchen equipment and materials. So if you’re going for patio covers or outdoor roofs, this would typically require approvals.
• Utility access: Read up about the building codes for backyard spaces in your area. Running new plumbing or electrical lines for our outdoor kitchen will increase permit needs.
• Zoning codes: Check whether your build plans meet setback requirements—the distance from your outdoor kitchen to property lines. You might need to contact your local zoning office to learn more about zoning rules for outdoor kitchens in your area.

Steps to Obtain a Permit for an Outdoor Kitchen

Research local building requirements

Start with some research once you have a broader plan and budget in place. Visit your municipality’s website or building department which could offer a useful breakdown of the permits that you may require.

Prepare plans and applications

In your application, include the key points of your outdoor kitchen: layout, appliance specifications, material lists and proximity to utilities.

Submit permits and await approval

Depending on your location and the type of remodeling or building requirements, approvals can take a couple of weeks (for patio expansions with minor utility fixes) or about a month (for larger expansions and drainage changes).

Schedule inspections after installation

Inspections ensure gas, electrical and structural components meet the code, so expect a visit soon after approvals.

Outdoor Kitchen Budget

With so many layouts, styles and features to choose from, it’s important to determine how much you’re willing to spend before diving into planning. According to Joe Raboine, director of residential hardscapes at Belgard, outdoor kitchens can cost between a few thousand dollars and $60,000-plus.

“Like an indoor kitchen, the size, quality, number of appliances and the countertop surface are the main drivers of the price,” says Raboine.

On average, you can expect to spend around $10,000. Cantor suggests visiting your local outdoor living showroom to help gauge the cost of all available options. Permit and inspection fees can further set you back from $100 to $1,500 for larger projects.

What Are Your Outdoor Kitchen Must-Haves?

There are many options available in an outdoor kitchen, so it can be difficult to determine what’s essential. Says Raboine, “An outdoor kitchen should usually start with a grill, but additional elements could include a sink, storage, refrigerator, lighting and electrical outlets.”

Riverbend Homes owner Ben Neely says the ideal outdoor kitchen also should contain side burners and an ice bucket. Neely suggests adding as many features as your budget allows to avoid future regrets. “The majority of homeowners we talk to always wish they had thought of future-proofing their space,” says Neely.

And Michael Menn, architect, contractor and owner of Michael Menn, Ltd., says homeowners most regret not adding enough counter space.

Match your Outdoor Kitchen Style

Selecting a style that matches your home’s exterior ensures your outdoor kitchen blends into the existing landscape. Cantor also stresses accounting for future renovations. “You should think ahead if you plan on adding hardscape, patio covers and other outdoor living features,” Cantor says.

With that in mind, common outdoor kitchen styles include:

• Contemporary: Concentrates on clean lines and polished surfaces. Often uses granite countertops and stainless steel appliances for a sleek and clean appearance.
• Rustic: Uses earthly colors and rough or distressed wood, stucco and stone materials to provide a worn and lived-in appearance.
• Traditional: Inspired by the 18th and 19th century, outdoor kitchens with this style typically use brick, stone and stucco while prioritizing simplicity, functionality and symmetry.

Design the Layout of Your Outdoor Kitchen

An outdoor kitchen’s layout means how the appliances, amenities and work surfaces are arranged. Options include:

• Single Island. A stand-alone outdoor kitchen island incorporates a grill, burners, a countertop and sometimes a refrigerator into a single unit. Single islands are excellent choices for smaller spaces, but they are usually only large enough to accommodate one cook and limited guest seating. However, they do offer the possibility of expansion and add-ons.
• L-shaped. These layouts feature two sides situated at a 45-degree angle. One area usually has the cooking space (oven, burners, countertops, etc.). The other is often for seating and dining and may have a sink, fridge and/or storage cabinets.
• U-shaped. These have three sides with a cooking area in the center and two larger work and/or seating spaces on the other sides. This layout allows for the most storage, appliances, guest seating and amenities.

Your outdoor kitchen’s layout will largely dictate the workflow and foot traffic. Position your guests so they’re not crowding the cooking area. “One of the most important considerations,” Menn says, “is to make sure others are not in the way when the cook is doing their thing!”

Access to Plumbing and Electrical Power

Depending on the outdoor kitchen appliances you choose, you may need to supply plumbing, electrical and/or gas lines. Menn notes that many grills require an electrical connection, a gas connection or a propane hookup.

Even if electricity isn’t required to power your appliances, Menn says electrical connections allow you to add useful items like a blender, ice machine and lights. If you install a sink, you’ll need a water supply and a drain line. Installing any of these hookups will add to the overall cost of the build and the proximity to the utility sources may influence the location of your kitchen.

FAQ

What are outdoor kitchen permits?

Outdoor kitchen permits are official approvals that allow you to build kitchen areas outside safely and legally. They usually include steps like checking your design for safety and zoning compliance.

What happens if I build an outdoor kitchen without a permit?

Building an outdoor kitchen without proper permits can lead to several issues. You may have to incur fines, face legal hurdles and may even be forced to demolish the structure.

About the Experts

• Gregg Cantor is the President and CEO of Murray Lampert Design, a full-service home remodeling company. With over four decades of experience, he offers expertise in permits, custom builds and design strategies tailored to local codes.
• Joe Raboine, the Director of Residential Hardscapes at Belgard, specializes in outdoor living trends and has guided hundreds of homeowners in designing functional and stylish outdoor kitchens.
• Ben Neely owns Riverbend Homes, a Texas-based custom home building company. He provides insight into designing personalized outdoor spaces that combine beauty with practicality.
• Michael Menn is an architect and contractor who owns Michael Menn Ltd. With years of experience in residential construction, he helps homeowners plan smart layouts and avoid costly mistakes.

Sources:

• International Code Council: “Code Requirements for Outdoor Kitchens”