Is it a defect to be missing shut offs under a sink? If so, would it a be considered a minor or major defect?
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Personally I don’t consider it a defect and I wouldn’t write it up.
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Thank you Kevin
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I agree with Kevin, but I would note it as FYI in the report to give the buyer a heads up that they will have to shut the water off elsewhere if they want to repair or replace a faucet.
Btw- welcome to the forums Taylor!
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I’d put it under Informational.
Not a defect just an inconvenience. Those valves are cheap and don’t always work. I had to remove my toilet tank recently and the valve didn’t turn off the water. So I simply turned it off at the main and drained it through an adjacent sink. Someday soon I may actually replace the stop valve. Don’t hold your breathe.
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I feel like this is an item that a plumber will throw you under the bus on someday. As in, telling your client that the “inspector should have caught the missing shut-off valves.” Most people expect them to be there and it is code in some places. Therefore, I put it in my report alongside all the other “deficiencies.”
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at one time it was common practice for the shutoffs to be in the basement or at a manifold on slab on grade homes, with the advent of inexpensive chrome plated shut offs they started appearing at individual fixtures. I certainly would not consider it a defect, but an added convenience if present.
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To each there own, but if it is not required by code in a particular jurisdiction, is it still a deficiency in your thinking? 
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do You call a room with no ceiling lights deficient ?
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Regardless of the code (to avoid the code police), if it is typical and expected in an area to have them, than yes, I would call it out. In my area it is very rare that they are missing.
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Of course not. People still use lamps you know. Unless the wiring is there hanging out and it looks like someone stole the fixture. Then I would put it in the report.
Same here, but it’s not considered a deficiency, but merely an inconvenience.
Sounds like you still put it in the report though, just doesn’t make the summary? Either way you have communicated it as something to be aware of. What it is labeled I guess is inconsequential for the most part. I don’t color code or differentiate between issues by labeling them as to severity for the most part. Except for a few things.
Do you report on a missing cold water shut-off before the water heater? What about missing gas shut-offs before appliances and such? If so, do you consider those a deficiency or an inconvenience? (not asking to be snarky, lol. Just curious how others do it). 
Missing the point Ryan… Don’t over think what I stated.
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It was a serious question. Didn’t mean to offend! Just curious how you (or others) handle other missing valves at various locations. 
It’s in the UPC as well, albeit not as clear and with a few loopholes.
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I’m familiar with the UPC too Ryan. Good work sticking to your guns. This is something I would definitely call out.
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With Manabloc (PEX or polybutylene) manifolds, fixture shut-offs are certainly present, just an “inconvenience” to find the manifold somewhere else and shut off the line.