A little late to be asking, no?

Why did you not ask the person who installed them????

They can be right AT the counter level if you want. One place then cannot be is face up in the counter.

Actually not late at all. Our electrician left lots of extra wire because I was planning the recepticle placement with consideration of the type of backsplash tiles I'm using. I don't want the recepticles to clash, but blend in. So the electrician was great in allowing for flexiblity. Asking the min.ht. never occured to me.

I meant late as in the night before the sheetrock goes up.

Assuming you can stall the drywall until you are satisfied about the receptacles locations - my understanding is that Code differs on this point depending upon region/locale. Some will definitely not allow what Petey Racer said about having them be at counter level (regardless whether they're GFCI). Aesthetically, you'd want them low enough not to interfere with your backsplash design, and installed horizontally; you'll be able to place the coffee maker, paper towel holder, etc. in front of them to hide them. Ask your electrician what is the minimum height Code will allow, but be specific, and pose the question correctly in order to get the correct answer with no misunderstanding: the minimum required height should be specified as being between the countertop and the center of the receptacle.

The NEC has no minimum height above the counter.

There is a maximum height of 20 inches above the counter top.

Shannonplus, as Brick and I have stated, according to the NEC there is NO minimum. In fact they CAN in IN the counter top if they are tombstone type and not face up.

If you know of a local code that affects the OP I would post it, however, not knowing their location is a stumbling block to this.

I for one have never heard of a local amendment having a minimum height above a counter top.

Often when tile backsplashes are to be installed, the tile installer may request a specific height for receptacles and switches in order that the tile cutting/pattern will work better. I am glad to cooperate as much as possible.

Thanks everyone. Sheetrock and plastering was done today and I will have to live with the placement of the recepticles, which is about 5'' centered above the future counters. I haven't even picked out the tile for the backsplash, so I'll have to work around that too.

Redoing the sheetrock and taping is very easy to accomplish. Pick out your tile, see where the best place is for the outlets and move them.

Just make sure you take the height of the backsplash and the faceplate into account. Had that one screwed up on the house I'm building now, had to go back and move those boxes up and fix the drywall