New one for me today - main panel without a disconnect (neither 6 throws or less/ main disconnect breaker)
also - not bonded (note green screw at the bottom… and open screw hole at the bus.
funny thing - at the meter is a sealed box labeled “emergency disconnect” - that’s not for the homeowner.
What are your thoughts? Is the house main actually a sub?
I would guess that the service disconnect is in the enclosure under the meter but it should not be sealed. That would make the interior panel a sub-panel and is correctly wired with a 4-wire feeder. The bonding screw would not be used in that setup. Also there may be an issue with the label on the outside.
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@rmeier2 i don’t remember any NEC rule that the disconnect cannot be locked.
You’re correct locks are permitted but I only mentioned sealed. It’s not locked it’s sealed by the utilty company which would discourage someone like a home inspector from cutting off the seal to open it and look inside.
Kristofer did you open the panel cover below the meter?
Oh hell no. (Haha) That’s “sealed”. It’s been noted in the report that the home owner does not have easy access
Hey Jim. Thanks for the input. Thing is that home inspection is not code inspection. We are not code enforcement. Instead we are generalists. We keep in mind the homeowner’s use and habitability. Then, when questions arise we guide the client to refer to the specialists
The seal should not have been put on there and should be removed. The owner is required to have access to the service disconnect. An owner installed lock would be permitted but not a utility company seal.
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And although a lock may “per code” be allowed, as a home innspector I always advise against a lock in the event of a fire or some other reason where someone may need quick access to shut off power.
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I agree as that is the reason why emergency disconnects on the outside were added to the NEC. How would you deal with the seal being on there? As a sparky I would just cut it off.
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Unable to access disconnect due to panel being sealed by local utility.
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My question is who put on the utility seal, the utility company? If so, why? I wouldn’t feel comfortable cutting a utility seal.
Agreed, I would disclaim it as well.
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I get not wanting to cut off the seal. It appears as if someone mistakenly put that seal on there when they should not have done so. Since it should not be on there if it were my home I would just cut it off but that’s just me. The service disconnect is after the meter so the utility has no business putting a seal on what is the customers service equipment. Also the customer should have immediate access to the service disconnect without having to cut the seal off.
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Great point. I too would cut the seal if it was my own house but never for a house I’m inspecting. There is no reason that I would want to take on that responsibility.
I’d have no problem handing my homeowner client a pair of dykes though 
I don’t blame you for not wanting to cut it. The customer should sort it out with the utility company.
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That’s exactly why I would write it up.
And even though it shouldn’t be there, I wouldn’t just cut it off, because I don’t want to get a phone call from an upset seller asking why I cut the utility installed seal on his disconnect.
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I consider this as permission to cut said seal moving forward. Thanks Robert! 
Seriously though, yeah I’m cutting the seal now if I run into this situation, lol.
I had an agent ask me the other day if I was going to need permission to cut open the sealed attic access hatch. I said, no. 