IQ-@rius March 19, 2026

What Every Homeowner Should Know About the Gas Meter

Maintenance and Safety Rules

Gas meters measure how much natural gas you use in your building so the gas company (for example, Con Edison) can bill you correctly and keep the system safe. In New York City, gas meters must be installed in safe, accessible locations and protected from damage, fire, and flooding.

In New York City, gas meters must usually be located in ventilated spaces, such as outside, in basements, or in garages, where gas can safely escape if there is a leak.

Maintenance and safety rules for gas meters

Owners ensure gas meters remain in clean, dry locations. Keep the area around gas meters clear and easy to reach. Do not block meters with furniture, stored items, or construction materials, and do not paint, cover, or tamper with them.

Do not keep things that can burn, like gasoline, paint, propane tanks, cardboard boxes, or trash, near gas meters. Natural gas piping can leak near the meters, especially at joints and valves, so keeping flammable items away reduces the risk of fire or explosion.

Gas meter – Access and Inspection Duties

The gas company and licensed plumbers must be able to see and access the meters for readings, inspections, and repairs. If they cannot reach the meter because of stored items, locked rooms, or blocked areas, you may receive violation notices, extra fees, or have your gas service shut off.

Local Law 152 of 2016 requires periodic gas piping inspections in many multi‑family buildings. One‑ and two‑family homes that do not have any commercial space are generally exempt from these periodic inspections, but owners must still keep gas meters and piping in safe condition.

Natural gas by itself has no smell, so gas companies add a chemical called mercaptan that makes it smell like rotten eggs. If you smell this strong gas odor near your gas meter or inside your building, do not use light switches, phones, or any electrical devices, and do not try to find the leak yourself. Leave the building immediately and call 911 or your gas company from outside, at a safe distance.

Note

If the GPS2 form is not filed on time with the NYC Department of Buildings, the building owner can be fined $5,000. However, if you own a one- or two-family home (such as a house or a two-family dwelling), you are generally not required to follow this rule and do not need to worry about this deadline.

revised 03/19/2026

Related terms

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