The disconnect is about 150 feet away. It sounds like the gray area is that
the NEC does not define the distance. I guess some electricians might
interpret that it's ok anywhere on the property, others say it has to be
attached right to the house wall. It is interesting that the NEC doesn't
define the distance. My brother is mostly worried that if he doesn't take
care of it now, then he might be required to remedy it if he tries to sell
the house later. He just doesn't know if it would cost thousands of dollars
to replace the main lug panel in case the electrician determines it's not
possible or too costly to add a main breaker in between (because of where
the conduit is buried etc). But also since this is a "gray area" in the NEC
one has to wonder if there's even any problem or if it's left up to the
imagination of whatever local inspector decides the arbitrary distance
should be.