Is a switch for a recessed light in a residential home shower required to be 5 ft away?

Nope. There are no requirements for switches pertaining to shower spaces.
(That I'm aware of)
</going out on a limb>

Allow me to correct myself...

404.4 pertains to switches in wet locations, including shower stalls.

What I meant to say was: Nope. There are no requirements for switches pertaining to any specific distance to shower stalls. They however, cannot be installed within the stall unless installed as a part of a listed shower assembly.

(Thanks, Joe!)





[This message has been edited by sparky66wv (edited 11-08-2002).]

Here if the switch is within 6' they must be grnd. fault protected. 3' or less, it is not permited at all. I have always wondered.. can gets enough steam, gfi. trips. Then you are left in the shower with no light. That to me seems more dangerous.
John

Good point scjohn, I was thinking the same thing earlier today.

For a spa or hot tub Art 680-40(3)(c) says wall switches must be 5ft from the inside edge, but I could not find anything on shower switch locations.