Does an espresso machine need a kitchen hood under Title 24?

Part 6 does not say when a hood is needed. Its kitchen provisions apply where a hood is present, so ask the building department whether your equipment calls for one.

Is a coffee shop a restaurant for Title 24?

Part 6 has no coffee shop category. The tables used are dining, coffee station and fast-food rows, so the rules follow the spaces you build.

Coffee Shop Title 24 Requirements

A coffee shop meets Part 6's kitchen rules only if it has a kitchen hood, because those rules attach to hoods and exhaust airflow rather than to the menu. The code does name coffee machines and espresso makers as food preparation equipment, and it sets seating areas at 33 people per 1,000 square feet.

Send your plans
Get a free quote
Approve it
Report in 4–5 business days

Espresso equipment is not what triggers the kitchen rules

Section 100.1 defines food preparation equipment to include coffee machines and espresso coffee makers, and Section 140.6(a)3E leaves out lighting that the manufacturer installs inside such equipment. Nothing in Part 6 says when a hood is required. Section 140.9(b) starts once one exists: replacement air into the hood cavity is capped at 10 percent of exhaust and conditioned make-up air is limited. The stricter options apply only where total hood exhaust for the kitchen and dining facility exceeds 5,000 cfm, and an existing hood or make-up unit that is not replaced is excepted.

The quick-service question

Part 6 defines a quick-service commercial kitchen as one in an establishment mainly providing fast food, fast casual or limited service, with food and drink consumed on site, taken out or delivered. A counter-service cafe is the likely fit, which matters for Section 120.6(k): newly constructed quick-service kitchens need a dedicated 50 amp circuit and an 800 amp panel unless all-electric. Confirm it with the building department.

Seating and counter air

Table 120.1-A lists coffee stations at 33 people per 1,000 square feet and 0.15 cfm per square foot as Class 1 air. Restaurant and fast-food dining rooms carry the same figures as Class 2 air, while bars and lounges are 0.2. For a 600 square foot room the people term of 15 cfm each gives 297 cfm against 90 from area, so people govern. At 33 per 1,000 the room also passes the 25 that makes demand control ventilation mandatory for units with an economizer, modulating outdoor air or more than 3,000 cfm, subject to Exception 2 to Section 120.1(d)3 for unvented food preparation.

Lighting

A fast-food style dining area is allowed 0.45 watts per square foot plus 0.25 for decorative or display lighting. A tenant space of 5,000 square feet or less can relight one-for-one with at least 40 percent lower wattage.

See restaurants, commercial kitchens, ventilation and the full restaurant remodel page. Lighting swaps follow lighting alterations, and our commercial service prepares the forms.

Common Title 24 Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore Building Types

View all Building Types guides → · Commercial Title 24 · Title 24 guide