Gas meter clearance & piping distances & gas meter dimensions:

This article provides detailed tables of clearance distances for natural gas meter installations, giving the distances to various building features such as windows, doors, electrical components, vents, air conditioners, and outside hose bibs.

Gas service line trench features are also described.

We include examples of typical gas meter overall dimensions for residential as well as commercial gas meters for both LP and natural gas.

In this article series on gas meters, controls & piping, we provide descriptions and photographs of unsafe gas piping, indications of unsafe or improperly operating gas appliances, gas meters, and other gas installation defects.

Clearance Distances between a Gas Meter or Gas Meter Regulator Vent & Building Components

Article Contents

• GAS METER CLEARANCE DISTANCES FROM BUILDING FEATURES
• CLEARANCES TO FINISH GRADE (SOIL SURFACE)
• CLEARANCES TO LANDSCAPE FEATURES, SOIL DEPTHS, SOIL COVER
• REGULATOR VENT CLEARANCE DISTANCES TO BUILDING FEATURES
• REGULATOR VENT CLEARANCES TO BUILDING MECHANICAL SYSTEM AIR INTAKE OPENINGS
• CLEARANCES TO OTHER BUILDING FEATURES
• CLEARANCES TO ELECTRICAL PANELS, WIRING & METERS (OUTDOORS)
• CLEARANCES BELOW BALCONIES, ENTRANCE PLATFORMS, DECKS & PORCHES
• CLEARANCES TO SOURCES OF IGNITION
• GAS METER OVERALL DIMENSIONS

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Example1 Gas Meter Clearance Distances from Building Features
Building Feature	Minimum Clearance Distance to Gas Meter or Regulator Vent
Gas meter location	Front wall (front presumed facing public access), or within 3 feet of side wall (see corner clearances)
Regulator relief vent distance from any outside building corner	12 inches. With this specification met, there are no clearance distance requirements for building features located around the corner from the gas meter. If the regulator relief vent is less than 12" from any outside corner, then the minimum clearances specified in this table must be maintained. Measure as a direct, straight line from the nearest meter set or component to the nearest edge of the building feature "as if using a string"

Notes to the Table Above

1. These are typical gas meter clearance distances to various building features, but keep in mind however that this list is not exhaustive. Local building code requirements for safe distances from a gas meter or gas meter vent vary, depending on where you live, and are also different between the U.S. and Canada. Be sure to check with your local building or plumbing code officials.

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Gas Meter Clearances To Finish Grade (soil surface)
Bottom of gas meter to finish grade	6 inches
Bottom of gas line shut-off to finish grade	8 inches
Fuel line connection location (at meter top) to finish grade	32 inches to 46 inches depending on gas meter model & meter type (size or capacity)

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Gas Meter Clearances To Landscape Features, soil depths, soil cover
Landscape features like shrubs or fences	3 feet clear to front of meter 2 feet clear to either side of meter
Minimum soil depth or cover over residential gas service line	18 inches - residential 24 inches - commercial 24 inches - snow country
Maximum soil depth or cover over gas service line	36 inches Depth includes 4 inches of bedding sand under gas line & 6 inches of sand shading over the gas line, & typical excavation trench width of 12 inches. Backfill must be free of sharp objects and must not contain rocks larger than 8", or increase sand shading depth to 12 inches.

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Gas Meter Regulator Vent Clearance Distances To Building Features
Gas meter regulator vent clearance distance to windows, attic vent, crawl space vent, soffit vent	3 feet in any direction horizontally or vertically to the feature 1 foot to a feature located below
Gas meter regulator vent clearance to electrical devices such as switches, electrical receptacles, power disconnects	3 feet in any direction to the feature
Gas meter regulator vent clearance to building doors or garage doors	3 feet in any direction horizontally or vertically to the feature 1 foot to a feature located below

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Gas Meter Regulator Vent Clearance To Building Mechanical System Air Intake Openings
Window mounted wall fan	Ten Feet in any direction
Window mounted air conditioner See CLEARANCE DISTANCE, HVAC
Wall mounted air conditioner
Mechanical system air intake
Bathroom fan vent opening	Three Feet in any direction
Clothes dryer intake or exhaust vent opening See CLOTHES DRYER VENT CLEARANCES & TERMINATION
Fireplace cleanout opening
Heating appliance air intake or exhaust opening

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Gas Meter Clearances to Other Building Features
Gas meter clearance distance to air conditioner or heat pump (pad mounted) compressor/condenser unit	Three Feet in any direction
Gas meter clearance distance to electrical generator or electrical transformer
Gas meter clearance distance to open flame barbeque or cooker or to an incinerator or other open flame device
Gas meter clearance distance to telephone, cable or other communications connection box or terminal	Two Feet in any direction
Gas meter clearance distance to water spigot (hose bibb)

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Gas Meter Clearance Distances To Electrical Panels, Wiring & Meters (outdoors)
Electrical box front (face) clearance distance to gas meter	3 feet for non-utility gas meters and electric service equipment that can create an arc when operated. Meters shall be located at least 3 ft from electrical meters and other sources of ignition. Meters shall not be installed closer than 2 ft from the front of an electric panel board on an adjacent wall, opposite or another wall. - PSE&G cited below.
Gas meter clearance distance to SEC / Conduit	18 inches
Gas meter clearance distance to electrical ground rod	1 foot Ground rod location must be clearly marked

Notes to the table above:

See more details at

• ELECTRIC METER CLEARANCE DISTANCES & WORKING SPACE

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Gas Meter Clearance Distances Below Balconies, Entrance Platforms, Decks & Porches
Gas meter vertical clearance distance from meter top to roof overhang, soffit, deck, porch	6 feet
Gas meter horizontal clearance distance from entry door above the meter (e.g. accessed by deck, porch or landing) to closest point on meter	3 feet

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Gas Meter Clearance To Sources Of Ignition

Electrical equipment that can serve as a source of ignition is defined as an ignition source if it creates an arc or spark during operation. Normal building electrical wiring and junction boxes are not sources of ignition, Electrical panels, most electrical switches, relays, and similar controls that can create a spark when operated are considered a "source of ignition". Electric meters on buildings are not considered a source of ignition.

All portions of a gas utility distribution system up to the outlet of the meter are regulated by 49 CFR Part 192, under the U.S. Department of Transportation. These regulations require a three-foot clearance from indoor meters to sources of ignition, but have no comparable requirement when the meter is located outdoors. At least 3 feet, per NEC 110-26 & NFPA 54-National Fuel Gas Code for premises-owned gas meters. Preferred: 10 feet. In at least some jurisdictions, the National Fuel Gas Code excludes meters and other equipment used by the gas utility from inclusion within scope of the Code.

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Gas piping clearance distances

moved to GAS PIPING CLEARANCES, CODES & DEFECTS where we include gas pipe clearances from wiring or other building or site features

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Typical Residential & Commercial Gas Meter Overall Dimensions

Question by Garry - how big will the gas meter be if I install a higher capacity meter?

Hello. I would like to install a Generator and Pool Equipment near by existing gas meter.

Does the 3 foot distance apply to all equipment or just the heater and generator? Also if I increase the size of the gas meter, how big would it be?

[Click to enlarge any image]

Gas meter dimensions and images shown here were adapted from illustrations provided by the plumbing supplier source cited below.

Reply: On 2017-07-01 by (mod) Typical Gas Meter Overall Dimensions for gas meters of various capacities

Garry:

I'd apply the clearance distance to all equipment since both safety and working space are requirements around the gas meter.

A larger-flow residential gas meter may be 1-3" larger in its largest dimension than your existing one, and are typically in this range:

• 8.8" (224mm) wide, 8.7" (221 mm) deep, and 12.7" (323 mm) high - 250 CFH at 1/2" W.C. Differential - Residential
• 10.3" (262mm) wide, 10.0" (254mm) deep, and 15.0" (381mm) high - 425 CFH at 1/2" W.C. Differential - Residential
• 10.6" (269mm) wide, 10.0" (254mm) deep, and 15.0 (381mm) high - 630 CFH at 1/2" W.C. Differential - Commercial
• 14.62" (372mm) wide, 16.62" (422mm) deep, and 23.94" (608 mm) high - AL-1000 - 1000 CFH at 7" W.C. Differential - Industrial Gas Meter operating at MAOP = 100 psig

Source: "Gas Meters for Natural or LPG Gas", PlumbingSupply.com, 994 E 20th St., Chico, CA 95928 USA retrieved 2017/07/01, original source: https://www.plumbingsupply.com/gasmeters.html

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Gas Meter Codes & Standards - USA & Canada

moved to GAS METER CODES - USA & CANADA

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2024-01-24 by Mark - gas company has legal authority to insist that their installation be safe and code-compliant

Gas company wants to move my meter from inside my basement to outside, it would go directly in front of my house which I do not want. Do I have to let them do it? If there are no clear areas to do it can they make me remove items such as a hose bib or a generator plug etc to accommodate the meter? I dont see a problem with leaving it in my basement where its always been. I am in Massachusetts

On 2024-01-24 by InspectApedia Publisher

@Mark,

With all due respect, the fact that you, yourself, don't see a problem with a gas meter and piping installation does not mean that there is in fact no problem.

Your gas company knows that a gas meter that is located indoors and that can vent indoors is unsafe, risking venting explosive gas inside a building that can blow the structure up, killing its occupants.

That's why they want to move the meter.

And yes that company has legal authority to insist that their installation be safe and code-compliant.

You could

1. offer to pay the additional cost - which I suspect would be substantial - to route gas piping around your building to enter from another side so that the meter could be at the side or back of the home

2. ask the company if they would find it acceptable to leave the meter indoors but add piping to route its local vent to the building exterior. This is not as safe as moving the whole meter but might work in some installation circumstances.

On 2024-01-24 by Mark

@InspectApedia Publisher,I understand the reasoning for wanting to move it, my issue is really that by the above guidelines there is no place on the front of the house to put the gas meter without violating 1 or more of the rules.

The front of that part of the house which is L shaped is about 13' wide. In the center the irrigation system and backflow come out of the house, there is a generator hook up, an exterior wall mounted outlet and a hose bib.

Installing a meter anywhere would cause a conflict. The left and right of this L shape are paver walk ways that lead to the front and rear doors.

Keeping all the above rules in mind I don't see an area on the entire outside of my house that would accommodate a gas meter taking into account, the electric meter, HVAC intakes and exhaust, AC compressor, doors and windows the house just was not designed with placing a gas meter outside in mind.

I didn't realize extending the vent was an option Ill ask about that.

On 2024-01-24 by InspectApedia Publisher

@Mark,

Do let me know what your gas company says. In an upstate New York home Central Hudson was okay with that alternative solution that I mentioned.

On 2023-05-14 by Jim - In NC how much clearance needs to be provide around a gas meter

In NC how much clearance needs to be provide around a gas meter. I want to install a screen and need to know how far setback requirement is. I tried looking for Dominion Energy and can not find anything however Duek Power says 3 feet radius and other images I have seen on line say 3 feet as well. Also how close can shrubs be planted next to a meter.

On 2023-05-15 by InspectApedia DF (mod)

@Jim,

Above, in the tables on this page, we give required clearances for gas meters from different building features as well as from landscape features such as shrubs.

For a screen, in general, you will want 3 feet of clearance allowing for enough working space for maintenance and service needs.

Your local building inspector is the final authority however. You can check with them to be sure of what is required or allowed.

On 2023-04-18 by Dan - What is the clearance for a gas meter to the ground?

What is the clearance for a gas meter to the ground? The gas company wants to dig a hole around the meter about 8"-10" deep and said it's got clearance. The problem is water fills the hole and gets into the basement.

On 2023-04-18 by InspectApedia Editor

@Dan,

The first table of gas meter clearances given above on this page tells us

Gas meter clearances to finish grade (soil surface)

Bottom of gas meter to finish grade 6 inches

Bottom of gas line shut-off to finish grade 8 inches

Fuel line connection location (at meter top) to finish grade 32 inches to 46 inches depending on gas meter model & meter type (size or capacity)

Digging a hole might meet that clearance but at expense of basement water entry UNLESS you

1. install roof gutters and downspouts to keep water away from the building and keep those maintained

That downspout in the left of your photo looks rather marginal - maybe not getting water away from the building?

2. slope surface grade away from the excavation.

Also

What's that white plastic box almost touching the meter? If that's an ignition source it too may be too close.

Also, is that a white electrical wire running down the wall and right into an un-sealed hole in the wall? If so that's another possible source of building water entry or at least water into the wall.

On 2023-03-14 by Gary - regulator needs to be protected from a lawn mower by a bollard or similar system

Had a generator installed. Instead of them puting the gas line protected by the wall and generator. They stuck it out in the yard where it can be tripped over or run over by a mower who is not paying attn.

i this is very dangerous I assume and they just fixed a leak on it today. Please look at this picture and please let me know if this is a code violation.

 

On 2023-03-15 by InspectApedia Publisher

@Gary,

Your local building official is the final legal authority on code questions and I can't say for sure what that person would rule, but in my opinion that regulator needs To be protected from a lawn mower etc by a bollard or similar system.

On 2023-03-03 by Paul - In the state of California, how high above the finished grade does a main gas valve have to be?

In the state of California, how high above the finished grade does a main gas valve have to be? If it is at ground level and corrodes due to excessive moisture and breaks when an attempt to shut it off , who is responsible for the cost of repairs? The homeowner or the gas company?

On 2023-03-03 by InspectApedia Editor

@Paul,

See this

GAS METER LOCATIONS & CLEARANCES - CA PG&E [PDF] Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

Excerpt:

F. 12. (a) Gas meter locations must be 78 inches high and allow for a minimum clear and level working space of 3 feet in front of the meter; width depends on meter size and the number of meters.

Prohibited locations include

In contact with the soil, in a depression below general ground level, or where potentially corrosive materials are likely to contact the meter set.

In any location that does not provide the required working space. The height dimension is 6 feet, 6 inches of clearance above ground and the depth
dimension is 3 feet of clearance in front of the gas meter.


Meter sets must not be installed in contact with the soil, in a depression below
general ground level (curb meters are an exception), or where potentially corrosive
materials are likely to contact the meter set. The potential for accidental electrical
shunting of the insulating fitting must be minimized.

On 2021-07-10 by Sandi

My natural gas service line currently runs along the wall of my house across my patio. If I close in the patio, do I have to move the line or can I just enclose it in the new room?

On 2021-07-10 by inspectapedia.com.moderator

@Sandi,

Your gas company and plumbing inspector usually will want the gas meter and its vent to be outdoors; on occasion an inspector might permit it to remain indoors provided its vent is piped to the building exterior.

Gas piping, provided it's properly installed, routed, protected from damage, and is the proper material, can run inside of buildings.

See GAS PIPING CLEARANCES, CODES & DEFECTS

On 2021-06-22 by jerry

DTE installed a new meter on the side of my neighbors house which is about 16in. from my driveway this seems unsafe

On 2021-06-22 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod)

@jerry,

I agree with you.

In addition to the gas meter clearance distances given in the page above, tell us who and where "DTE" is, (your country and city of location might help), and let's see if we can find DTE's own specifications for gas meter installations and clearance distances from various site features.

In addition, you and your neighbour should review

GAS METER PROTECTION BOLLARDS

since in the event that the Amazon delivery truck rolls into the gas meter and sets off a gas leak and subsequent natural gas explosion, both homes and occupants could be in serious danger.

On 2021-06-01 by Stuart Glazer

what are the clearance requirements between a gas pool heater and electric A/C unit?

On 2021-06-01 by mak.church (mod)

@Stuart Glazer,

Please see the article: CLEARANCE DISTANCES FOR AIR CONDITIONER / HEAT PUMP COMPRESSOR / CONDENSER UNITS

and specifically the section on "Closest recommended clearance distances for A/C or Heat Pump Compressors". Let us know if you have more questions.

On 2021-05-19 by John

Recently noticed Camcast cable entering mother-in-laws house wrapped around the gas line. Is that ok ?

On 2021-05-24 - by (mod) -

@John,

It's certainly possible that there could be an unsafe condition such as cables that are pulling on gas piping or cable routed. So it could form an electrical short between actual electrical wiring and the gas line, but in general co-axial cables carrying TV or Internet service are not electrically live and are not particularly hazardous.

It may be that you were describing sloppy work however.

On 2021-05-12 by Dj - codes against a natural gas line crossing an electrical service conduit ?

Hello,
Are there any codes against a natural gas line crossing an electrical service conduit. Thank You Dj

On 2021-05-12 - by (mod) - Rules for gas meter or gas piping clearance from electrical wire or conduit

@Dj, thank you for the question about rules concerning gas and electric lines crossing.

A gas line is allowed to cross an electrical conduit.

If those are buried, digging around needs to be done by hand within 2 feet to avoid risk of damage.

In any event it's your local building code compliance inspector who is the final legal authority and word on the question.

 

 

On 2021-04-18 by Linda F Brison

It also covers the piping to the outside water for his unit. (photo attached). The comment below would not let me post two images. Should there have been a building permit or some kind of governmental inspection on this project. Thanks.

My neighbor has built a 30 ft x 14 concrete patio. The concrete comes up to the gas meter (photo attached). This is a mobile home park, and our units are close together. He is a snowbird.

Was he supposed to have a building permit to construct this 30' x 14' concrete patio? It also covers the piping to the outside water for his unit. (photo attached). thanks.

On 2021-04-18 - by (mod) -

@Linda F Brison,

About your questions I don't know the country and city of your location but in most cities a building permit would have been required along with some inspections to make sure that the Mechanicals are being handled correctly and safely.

On 2021-04-05 by Chris

Adding a exterior gas line for an outdoor grill. The line will come off the meter and run parallel to the house. I am also tapping into an exterior outlet to run electrical to the outdoor grill kitchen. I read the table where it calls for a 12" vertical clearance between gas and electrical lines.

Electrical will be housed inside conduit. The electrical conduit will intersect the gas line at a perpendicular angle. My question being, is it ok for the electrical conduit to pass by the gas line so that I can then bury the electrical conduit 12" below the gas line that will be more superficial to the surface, or are the lines not allowed to pass each other that way? Thanks!

On 2021-04-05 - by (mod) - gas line is allowed to cross an electrical conduit

@Chris,

Typically a gas line is allowed to cross an electrical conduit. If those are buried the digging around that needs to be done by hand is within 2 feet to avoid risk of damage. In any event it's your local building code compliance inspector who is the final legal authority and word on the question.

On 2021-03-31 by LV

Originally had concerns of the functionality of the water hose directly above the gas meter. Hose won't be able to connect.

But now will this be a safety issue? Does this mean that the water spigot needs to be two feet away?

On 2021-03-31 - by (mod) - 2 ft. required clearance distance of gas meter to hose hook-up

@LV, correct; as you'll see in the article above, a spigot or "hose bibb" should be at least two feet away from the gas meter, as measured in any direction.

On 2021-03-17 by Ajay

person disconnects the outlet of a gas service meter from the house piping , what must be done prior to turning on gas service meter ?

On 2021-03-17 - by (mod) -

@Ajay, the piping gets reconnected by someone trained in making gas connections and thus avoiding leaks. Then the connections are tested for leaks. The gas company may also want to inspect the installation.

On 2021-03-06 by Jross

A lady just bought abandoned house next door.

I informed her I was building a fence around our property line which begins at the wood fence area. Gas company informed us and her about the clearance issue for meters .

She told us she'd have her meters moved but gas crew said she took them aside and said she'd rather not pay to have them moved , is there anyway I can make her move this meter so I can continue to build my fence on my property line

On 2021-03-31 - by (mod) - required clearance of gas meter to fence or property line

@Jross, your local building code inspector, plumbing inspector, and the gas company will all want to enforce gas meter clearance requirements;

It is possible that no one will require your neighbour to do a thing about the location of her gas meter hookup point until she or someone new wants to actually have gas service (and thus a meter) installed at the building.

Your personal effort to "make her move her gas meter" may not be the best approach. Start with your local building officials.

Watch out: And meanwhile, never build or add to a property something that would violate building codes, particularly where there would be a life-safety hazard.

That gas meter location might meet the 3 ft. minimum clearance distance to the electric meters, but it would certainly be too close to the building window.

On 2021-02-19 by steve doulton

a 6 foot tall regulation cedar privacy fence is being built. can I go in front of gas meter with a window in fence? or does it have to be on the out side of fence? and what distance is fence required to be from gas meter?

On 2021-02-19 - by (mod) -

Working distances around the meter need to be maintained, as specified in the article above, Steve.

On 2021-02-11 by snip

What's the minimum lateral distance from a gas line can I set a fence post?

On 2021-02-11 by (mod) - minimum lateral distance from a gas line can I set a fence post?

Above on this page is a table titled

Gas Piping Clearance Distances

No surprise, you won't see "fence posts" listed as a gas piping obstruction or code detail in the model building codes.

but in the table I recommended you'll find

Gas piping clearance underground to structure:

No contact, maintenance space, damage protected

1211.1.1 Clearances. Underground gas piping shall be installed with sufficient clearance from any other underground structure to avoid contact therewith, to allow maintenance, and to protect against damage from proximity to other structures.

In addition, underground plastic piping shall be installed with sufficient clearance or shall be insulated from any source of heat so as to prevent the heat from impairing the serviceability of the pipe. [NFPA54: 7.1.1]

 

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Continue reading at GAS PIPING CLEARANCES, CODES & DEFECTS, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see GAS METER CLEARANCE DISTANCE FAQs - questions and answers posted originally on this page

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• ELECTRIC PANEL WORKING SPACE
• ELECTRIC METER CLEARANCE DISTANCES & WORKING SPACE
• ELECTRICAL WIRE CLEARANCE FROM DUCTS & PIPES
• GAS APPLIANCE CONVERT LP-to-NATURAL GAS
• GAS LP & NATURAL GAS SAFETY HAZARDS
• GAS METERS - home
  • GAS METER CLEARANCE DISTANCES
  • GAS METER CODES & STANDARDS
  • GAS METER PROTECTION BOLLARDS
• GAS PIPING, VALVES, CONTROLS - home
• GAS PIPING CLEARANCES, CODES & DEFECTS - home
• GAS REGULATORS & APPLIANCE / HEATER CONTROLS - home, Natural Gas regulators & appliance regulators, NG & LP
• GAS REGULATORS for LP TANKS - home, LPG / Propane systems
• PROTECTION BOLLARDS for MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT

Suggested citation for this web page

GAS METER CODES & CLEARANCE DISTANCES at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to GAS APPLIANCES, PIPING, CONTROLS

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Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.

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