Exterior lights box requirement?

[tacotacoburrito]

I’m in the process of building a detached garage and I was trying to figure out what boxes to get for the exterior lights, to match my house. With the huge variety of options I decided to just open up the wall behind one of them and see what the builder used. My house is 2.5 years old, for reference.

When I found this I thought huh, must’ve used a pancake box on the exterior (stucco). So I pulled the light.

There’s no box, just a bracket! Is this code compliant?

 

[Red 17]

Had to use a box for my garage and house 18-20 years ago.

Shallow box or recessed, depending on where it was, so the stucco would match up with it.

Passed inspection that way.

 

[kbuhagiar]

I’m in the process of building a detached garage and I was trying to figure out what boxes to get for the exterior lights, to match my house. With the huge variety of options I decided to just open up the wall behind one of them and see what the builder used. My house is 2.5 years old, for reference.

When I found this I thought huh, must’ve used a pancake box on the exterior (stucco). So I pulled the light.

There’s no box, just a bracket! Is this code compliant?

I don't know if it's code compliant, but that's how mine were installed on our first house, which was built in 1948, with a stucco exterior.

My instincts tell me you need at least a pancake box.

 

[dscheidt]

I’m in the process of building a detached garage and I was trying to figure out what boxes to get for the exterior lights, to match my house. With the huge variety of options I decided to just open up the wall behind one of them and see what the builder used. My house is 2.5 years old, for reference.

When I found this I thought huh, must’ve used a pancake box on the exterior (stucco). So I pulled the light.

There’s no box, just a bracket! Is this code compliant?

depends on the light fixture. Some are rated for use as a junction box, and so don't need one on the house. Some aren't, and do.

 

[dogdog]

They have these siding mounting kits maybe find one that match your siding

Just an example

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B6HNG44D?tag=atomicindus08-20