The National Electric Code (NEC) requires the installation of GFCI outlets in new construction in areas where electrical outlets are in close proximity to water. Older homes are not required to have GFCI outlets unless the wiring is being updated, but it’s a good idea to install them anyway.

It's not CT code but NEC states, your laundry room should have a dedicated circuit of at least 20 amps. If you have a gas dryer, both your washing machine and gas dryer may be plugged into the same outlet. If you have an electric dryer, it will need its own dedicated 30-amp, 220-volt circuit.

Appliance Receptacle Outlets. Appliance receptacle outlets installed in a dwelling unit for specific appliances, such as laundry equipment, shall be installed within 1.8 m (6 ft) of the intended location of the appliance.

If you typically use other small appliances in your laundry room—like irons or steam devices—a separate circuit for them is a good idea too.

Thank you georgect. When my walls were gutted, for my washer & dryer, I believe my electrician put in a 15A outlet and 14G wire. We specifically asked him to install a new outlet for the washer dryer because it is on the side and more aesthetically appealing but we didn't specify the amperage or wire gauges; we just left it to his judgement, However, we do have another 20A outlet behind the washer dryer. We didn't want to use that one because we didn't want to have took at the wires. The outlet is above the washer by about a foot so the washer & dryer wires will be prominently displayed there.

It sounds like you or your spouse are like my wife when it comes to esthetics. However, I have to ask how often you sit in your laundry room and stare at the washer and dryer, and the wires running up the wall behind them. If it was a kitchen or other living space I would not want visible wires, but in a laundry I would be more forgiving.

Bruce

My perspective: If you are making a large investment in a new space that was functioning just fine before, and paying for changes to be made, it should be aesthetically to your liking; otherwise, why bother making the investment?

Note that the pointer of making the 120V receptacles dedicated 20A circuits in the laundry area has nothing whatsoever to do with the washer or dryer. They're expecting you to plug in irons.

Does a 20A circuit mean the receptacle has to be 20A? In my laundry room, there are 2 duplex receptacles, one a GFCI, and one "singlex" one for the washer. Two separate 20A circuits, but non of the receptacles have the "T-shaped" sockets which all the 20A GFCI receptacles I purchased have. In fact, my entire house has 20A circuits with 12Ga wire (except for those which are larger).

No, only the circuit is constrained to 20A. You are generally allowed to put 15A receptacles on 20A circuits provided there are more than one receptacle on the circuit (which includes a single duplex receptacle).