Short answer: if you smell gas, leave the house first and get everyone out, including pets. Once you are a safe distance away, call 911 and Oklahoma Natural Gas (ONG) at 800-458-4251. Don’t try to find the leak yourself. After the emergency is handled, remember who owns what: ONG maintains the line from the main to the meter, and you own the piping after it. Under Oklahoma law, that piping may be installed or repaired only by a mechanical licensee or a licensed plumbing contractor or journeyman.
This guide is general safety information for homeowners in Tulsa and the surrounding area. In any doubt, follow the instructions of 911 and Oklahoma Natural Gas.
What to do if you smell gas
Leave right away
Get everyone out of the house and away from it. Don’t stop to gather belongings.
Don’t create a spark
Don’t flip light switches, use appliances, start a car in an attached garage, or light anything on the way out.
Call from a safe distance
Once you’re well away from the house, call 911 and Oklahoma Natural Gas at 800-458-4251.
Wait for the all-clear
Stay out until emergency responders or ONG say it is safe to go back in.
That order, leave first and then call, is what Oklahoma Natural Gas advises. A plumbing quote is never the first step with a gas smell.
Who is responsible for which gas pipes
Oklahoma Natural Gas maintains the service line from the gas main to your meter. According to ONG, the customer maintains “all customer-owned natural gas equipment, including house piping, yard piping, appliances and appliance connectors.” In practice:
| Part of the system | Who maintains it |
|---|---|
| Gas main and service line up to the meter | Oklahoma Natural Gas |
| Yard piping from the meter to the house (or to a detached garage, shop or grill) | The customer |
| House piping inside walls, attic or crawlspace | The customer |
| Appliances and appliance connectors (water heater, furnace, range, dryer) | The customer |
ONG says inspections and repairs on customer-owned piping “should be completed by a licensed contractor, such as a qualified plumber.” Once ONG has made the situation safe, the repair on your side of the meter is yours to arrange.
Who may work on gas piping in Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s Mechanical Licensing Act is direct about this. 59 O.S. §1850.10(A)(1) says: “No person shall install, replace or repair gas piping unless such person is licensed under the Mechanical Licensing Act or is licensed as a plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber pursuant to the laws of this state.” The Act defines gas piping as all natural gas piping within or next to a building on the premises, up to the connection with the meter, regulator or other source of supply.
That means a licensed plumber or a mechanical (HVAC) licensee can do the work. A handyman cannot. The Act’s owner exemption covers only minor repair, cleaning, adjusting and calibrating, not new gas piping. Installations follow the International Fuel Gas Code as adopted in Oklahoma.
In the City of Tulsa, the plumbing permit form includes “gas piping” and “gas opening” line items, so gas line work is permitted and inspected. The Permit Center says only a licensed tradesperson may apply for trade permits. See plumbing permits in Tulsa for how the suburbs handle it. This is general information, not legal advice.
Common gas jobs a plumber may quote
- Repairing a leaking section of house or yard piping found by ONG or a contractor
- Replacing an appliance connector
- Running a new line for a range, dryer, generator or outdoor grill
- Connecting a gas water heater during a replacement
- Pressure-testing the system before gas service is restored
Ask the contractor to explain what they found, what they will replace, and whether a pressure test and city inspection are part of the job.
What gas repairs cost
Gas piping prices vary too much by job to list as a single range. These typical ranges from published cost guides (2025–2026) cover the call itself. They are national estimates, not quotes:
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Plumber hourly rate | $45–$150/hr nationally; $45–$165/hr in Tulsa (Thumbtack) |
| Service call / trip fee | $50–$200 (often includes the first hour) |
| Emergency / after-hours | $100–$350/hr, or a $150–$250 after-hours fee |
Permit fees are often billed separately. Many Tulsa plumbers offer after-hours service, usually at a higher rate. See the Tulsa plumbing cost guide and our emergency plumber page for more.
Before you hire for gas work
- Ask for the contractor’s Oklahoma license number (plumbing or mechanical) and look it up on the Construction Industries Board’s “Are They Licensed?” page.
- Ask whether they are registered with your city and whether they will pull the gas permit.
- Get the price in writing before work starts.
- If you smell gas again at any point, leave the house first, then call 911 and Oklahoma Natural Gas at 800-458-4251.
Gas leak questions
Who do I call for a gas leak in Tulsa?
Leave the house first. Once everyone is a safe distance away, call 911 and Oklahoma Natural Gas at 800-458-4251. Don’t look for the leak, flip switches or light anything on your way out. Stay outside until responders or ONG say it is safe. Arrange repairs to your own piping only after the emergency has been handled.
Does Oklahoma Natural Gas fix gas lines in my house?
ONG maintains the service line from the main to the meter. According to ONG, the customer maintains house piping, yard piping, appliances and appliance connectors. ONG says inspections and repairs of customer-owned piping should be done by a licensed contractor, such as a qualified plumber. That repair is the homeowner’s to arrange and pay for.
Can a handyman repair a gas line in Oklahoma?
No. Under 59 O.S. §1850.10, no person may install, replace or repair gas piping unless they are licensed under the Mechanical Licensing Act or licensed as a plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber. The owner exemption covers only minor repair, cleaning, adjusting and calibrating. Ask for the license number and check it on the CIB website.
Get a quote for gas line repair
Tulsa Plumbing Pros connects homeowners in Tulsa, Owasso and nearby cities with independent, licensed local plumbing contractors for free, no-obligation quotes. The plumber you choose quotes, pulls any permit, and does the work directly with you. Once the emergency is over and ONG has made things safe, request a free quote.