This seems to really depend on your location. Here in MN, the meter is in
the basement and there's a couple shutoffs there, on either side. As I
understand it in warmer climates the meter is outside, on the curb, and
that's where you shutoff will be too. I think you need some sort of special
key to shut it off there. I would also think there'd still be some 'master'
shutoff within the house in this case (e.g. near the water heater or
softener) but never lived in the south.

-Tim