Your contractor should know the answer. If not, have HIM call the NYC building dept., or whatever the relevant agency is. Our contractor took care all issues like that.

Totally agree with you that the contractor should provide info on this! But he is resistant, and I can't tell whether he is right that a light switch can't be installed on the side of a cabinet due to code issues or he just doesn't want to deal with the hassle.

It takes a big hunk of space out of the cabinet storage and will interfere with any roll outs.

Post your layout and explore other opportunities first. This is a design error, and needs a design solution. Where is your Kitchen Designer in trying to help sort this out?

I think I found a solution. The wall switch will go in its current place but inside the cabinet through a cut-out. Then each ceiling light will be connected to a RF controller and a remote wall switch, which will be placed on the wall on the other side of the entry. Hardwiring a wall switch to the other side of the entry at this point will cost $$$ because the walls are concrete, so happy to avoid that!

"each ceiling light will be connected to a RF controller and a remote wall switch, which will be placed on the wall on the other side of the entry"

You could use the Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Lighting Dimmer Switch and Remote Kit and attach the "pico" remote to the cabinet or wherever you wanted.

We have the Caseta with Pico and it works great. Sounds like a much simpler solution.

Thanks!! Excited to use Lutron Caseta switches with Pico remotes. Next step is persuading a very reluctant electrician and contractor, who insists this set up will not pass inspection because the wall switch will be inside a kitchen cabinet. Fingers crossed!