I'm upgrading my house (in Los Angeles) to 200A service and I am
trying to find out some info on code requirements for the conduit run
from the weatherhead to the meter main.

The city requires me to put the new meter on the back of the house.
The easiest way to hook up the service drop is a straight 2" GS
conduit going up the outside wall but, as this is a 2 story house, I
think this will look really ugly (even if I paint it). I would prefer
not opening up a wall to run the conduit so I thought that, maybe, we
could run the conduit down the side of the house (which is out of
sight), use a right angle 2" GS conduit bend to bring it horizontal
and then use an LB to go around the corner to the back of the house
and run GS into the side of the meter main. The distance from the
meter to the corner of the house is about 3' and the distance from the
corner to where the vertical conduit would be is about 2-3'. The
horizontal run of conduit would be something like 3-4' off the ground.

I know that I need approval from both the city's DWP and the building
inspector (in L.A. these are separate agencies) and I'm waiting for a
return call from the DWP.

I tried to get hold of a building inspector to ask if this was OK and,
after some effort, did manage to speak to one very briefly. He told
me that the horizontal run needs to be incased in concrete, then said
he had others to help and hung up on me. I don't understand this
requirement. I have looked at the city's DWP Electric Service
Requirements and it only mentions concrete encasement in underground
runs. I'm trying to understand this requirement but have not been
able to find anything online. Maybe the inspector thought I would be
running the horizontal run underground? Can anyone give me some
insight into this? A website or code section cite would be great.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

**He is the one who must ultimately interpret the local code. I would be
concerned about the distance the service head is from the utility
companies wires. There is probably a maximum distance the head can be from
the point of attachment. Call the guy back and get clarification. It does
sound like he misunderstood your intent


*I agree with RBM. It doesn't sound as though concrete encasement is called
for, but Los Angeles has their own electrical code. I think the best thing
would be for you to take a photo of your house with the electrical service
path drawn onto the photo and bring it down to show an electrical inspector.
You could also consult with an electrical contractor.

I know one power company here in NJ frowns upon having an LB condulet before
the meter. They are afraid that someone could open the LB and tap into the
power before it gets metered.