Getting Your Gas Back On After a Con Edison or National Grid Shutoff

When the gas utility finds a leak or an unsafe condition on the building side of the meter, it shuts off the gas and usually locks the meter. Getting service back is not as simple as calling the utility. The piping has to be repaired, tested, and approved first.

Why the gas was shut off

Gas utilities are responsible for the piping up to the meter, often called the point of delivery. The piping after that point, inside the building, belongs to the owner. When Con Edison or National Grid responds to a gas odor call and finds a problem in privately owned piping or equipment, the utility makes the situation safe by turning off the gas until a qualified plumber can repair it. Shutoffs can also follow a failed periodic inspection, a fire, or work done without proper approval.

The basic sequence in New York City

The steps are similar across the five boroughs. Con Edison describes them this way, and National Grid follows a comparable process in Brooklyn, Staten Island, and parts of Queens:

1. The building owner or manager hires a licensed plumber. If you are a homeowner, you hire the plumber.
2. The plumber files the required documents with the Department of Buildings and with the utility, then makes the repairs.
3. The repaired piping is pressure tested, and DOB reviews the work, which may include an onsite inspection.
4. When the required inspections pass, DOB issues Gas Authorization.
5. The plumber updates the utility, which performs a visual inspection of the work and then schedules a leak test.
6. If no leaks are found, the utility turns the gas back on at the meter.

For emergency repairs, NYC's process allows a licensed contractor to file an Emergency Work Notification (EWN) so work can start before a permit is issued. The EWN expires two full business days after it is issued, and a Limited Alteration Application must be filed before it expires.

On Long Island

In Nassau and Suffolk, National Grid is the gas utility and the local town or village building department handles permits and inspections. Requirements vary by municipality, so the plumber confirms what the local building department needs before the utility will restore service.

How long it takes

There is no single timeline. It depends on what caused the shutoff, how much piping must be repaired or replaced, inspection scheduling, and the utility's workload. If a problem with the repair is detected at any point, more work is needed before the case can move forward. Simple fixes move faster than situations where large sections of piping must be replaced.

What you can do while you wait

• Do not remove the utility's lock or try to turn the gas on yourself. Only the utility restores service at the meter.
• Ask your plumber for a clear list of what was found and what will be repaired.
• Make sure the plumber, DOB or town inspectors, and the utility can access the meter, piping, and every gas appliance.
• In multifamily buildings, keep tenants informed. Temporary cooking options such as electric hot plates may be needed, used safely and according to building rules.
• Keep copies of filings, inspection results, and utility case numbers.

Restoring service after a building-wide shutoff

In apartment buildings, a shutoff can affect every unit. Restoring service may require access to each apartment to check appliance connections and piping, which takes coordination. Owners should also be aware of their obligations to tenants under city housing rules while gas is off. In many cases, the problem that caused the shutoff points to wider issues with older piping, and owners use the opportunity to replace corroded or undersized sections.

Prevention

Regular inspections and prompt repairs are the best way to avoid shutoffs. For most NYC buildings other than one- and two-family homes, Local Law 152 inspections every four years help catch corrosion, leaks, and illegal connections early.

Whether your building is in Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Nassau, or Suffolk, understanding the steps helps you ask the right questions and keep the process moving.

This article is general information for property owners, not legal or engineering advice. Rules and procedures change; confirm current requirements with the agency or utility involved.