ADU Gas Shut-Off Valve (SGSOV) Inspection in Los Angeles
The seismic gas shut-off valve (SGSOV) shuts off an ADU’s gas supply automatically during an earthquake. In the City of Los Angeles 31.8% of first attempts do not pass, across 9,406 inspections over the trailing 12 months — most often because the valve is not installed and ready when the inspector arrives.
31.8%
of ADU Gas Shut-Off Valve (SGSOV) inspections fail on the first attempt in City of Los Angeles
Based on 9,406 first-attempt inspections, Trailing 12 months (2025-07-01 → 2026-07-01).
A first attempt counts as a failure when it drew a correction notice or the work was not ready when the inspector arrived.
Source: LADBS (9w5z-rg2h).
The SGSOV requirement itself is narrow, but the first-time fail rate is not small: roughly a third of first attempts are held. The valve is easy to leave for last, so the usual reason for a correction is readiness — the valve not yet installed, or not installed to spec — rather than a difficult technical problem. Almost every one of these becomes a straightforward fix, but it still costs a re-inspection.
Why Gas Shut-Off Valve (SGSOV) inspections fail
Valve not ready at first inspection
The most common reason a first attempt is held: the SGSOV is not yet installed, or the work is not complete, when the inspector arrives. It is an easy item to leave for last and get caught on.
Missing valve
Simply not installing an SGSOV where one is required for the new gas service — an omission rather than a defect, but still a correction.
Non-approved device
Only listed, approved seismic gas shut-off valves are accepted; an unlisted valve will not pass.
Improper location or orientation
The valve must be installed on the correct side of the meter and in the orientation the manufacturer specifies to function in a seismic event.
How to pass on the first attempt
Confirm whether your new gas service requires an SGSOV (it usually does).
Install the valve and finish the work before you schedule the inspection — do not leave it for inspection day.
Use only a listed, approved seismic gas shut-off valve.
Install it downstream of the meter, in the manufacturer-specified orientation.
Keep the product listing/spec available for the inspector.
What the inspector checks
The inspector confirms that an approved seismic gas shut-off valve is installed in the correct location and orientation so it will automatically shut off the gas supply during an earthquake.
What a failure costs you
The fix is usually quick and low-cost — install or correct the valve — but it still means a correction notice and a re-inspection, which can add days to the schedule. Because it is often left to the end, an SGSOV that is not ready can hold up the final sign-off along with everything else waiting on it.
Frequently asked questions
A Seismic Gas Shut-Off Valve — a device that automatically stops the flow of gas when it senses earthquake shaking, reducing fire risk after a quake.
For most new gas services in the City of Los Angeles, yes. Confirm the requirement for your specific service with your contractor and LADBS.
Rarely because the valve is hard to install. Most first-time failures are readiness — the valve not yet in place or not finished to spec when the inspector arrives — or the valve simply left off the new gas service. Install and complete it before you schedule the inspection.
The inspector issues a correction; you install an approved valve and schedule a re-inspection. It is a quick fix but still adds a step.
From LADBS public inspection records for the City of Los Angeles, recomputed weekly over a rolling 12-month window.
Source & methodology
ADUscale Research
This figure is a first-time pass rate — the share of permits whose first
attempt at this inspection type passed — computed directly from LADBS public inspection
records (9w5z-rg2h)
for the City of Los Angeles, over a rolling trailing 12 months, refreshed weekly. We only
count each permit's first attempt, so it shows how often work passes the first time.
A first attempt is a fail if it drew a correction or the work was not ready when the
inspector arrived. Data source and methodology:
LA ADU Inspection Index ·
InspectPilot.
Last updated: July 1, 2026 · Geography: City of Los Angeles
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