NAICS 221210

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the U.S. government’s common framework for grouping business establishments so federal statistical agencies can collect, analyze, and publish economic data. Developed with Canada and Mexico under the Office of Management and Budget, NAICS replaced the SIC in 1997 to improve North American comparability; the current U.S. vintage is 2022. ¹
221210 Natural Gas Distribution covers establishments that operate local gas distribution systems (e.g., mains, meters), transmit and distribute gas to final consumers, and entities known as gas marketers and gas brokers that sell or arrange sales over those systems. Federal programs, surveys, and contracting often use this code to distinguish end‑user distribution from long‑haul pipeline transportation. ²

What this NAICS covers

• Operation of local natural gas distribution networks, including mains, meters, and regulator stations. ²
• Transmission and distribution of natural gas to end consumers via local distribution systems. ²
• Gas marketing entities that purchase gas at the well and sell it to distribution systems. ²
• Gas brokers or agents that arrange sales over gas distribution systems operated by others. ²
• Customer service, billing, and meter services integral to operating a local gas distribution utility. Not specified by official sources ²
• Emergency response, leak detection, and routine maintenance activities performed by distribution utilities. Not specified by official sources ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
NAICS	486210	Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas
NAICS	221330	Steam and Air-Conditioning Supply
PSC	S112	Utilities—Gas
PSC	S111	Utilities—Electric

SBA small business size standard (for federal procurement)

For 221210, SBA’s small business size standard is 1,150 employees (effective March 17, 2023), as listed in the Table of Small Business Size Standards aligned to NAICS 2022. ³

Scope notes and common exclusions

• Pipeline transportation of natural gas from processing plants to local distribution systems is classified under 486210, not 221210. ²
• Septic tank pumping and cesspool cleaning are out of scope; those activities fall under 562991. ²
• Cleaning and rodding of sewers and catch basins are out of scope; those activities fall under 562998. ²

Frequently asked questions

• What qualifies an establishment for NAICS 221210?
  Establishments that operate local gas distribution systems, deliver gas to final consumers, or act as gas marketers/brokers using those systems are classified in 221210. The emphasis is on end‑user distribution rather than production or long‑haul transport. ²

• How is NAICS 221210 different from NAICS 486210?
  221210 covers local distribution to end users; 486210 covers pipeline transportation from processing plants to local distribution systems. They are complementary but distinct supply chain segments. ⁴

• Are gas marketers and brokers included in 221210?
  Yes. Gas marketers that buy at the well and sell to distribution systems, and brokers/agents that arrange sales over distribution systems, are included in 221210. ²

• What is the SBA small business size standard for 221210?
  SBA sets the small business size standard for 221210 at 1,150 employees, as shown in the Table of Small Business Size Standards aligned to NAICS 2022. ³

• Which federal acquisition rules commonly apply to acquiring natural gas utility services?
  FAR Part 41 addresses acquiring utility services. It provides standard specification formats for natural gas service that agencies may adapt when soliciting or awarding utility contracts. ⁵

Useful resources

• U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS homepage and introduction (includes history and 2022 vintage context). ¹
• U.S. Census Bureau — 221210 Natural Gas Distribution industry description. ²
• U.S. Census Bureau — Implementation of the 2022 NAICS (timeline and adoption). ⁶
• SBA — Table of Small Business Size Standards (effective March 17, 2023). ³

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau — North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) homepage and introduction. https://www.census.gov/naics/
2. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS 2022 Code 221210: Natural Gas Distribution (definition and cross-references). https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=221210&year=2022
3. U.S. Small Business Administration — Table of Small Business Size Standards (effective March 17, 2023), showing 221210 at 1,150 employees. https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/Table%20of%20Size%20Standards_Effective%20March%2017%2C%202023%20%282%29.pdf
4. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS 2022 Code 486210: Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas (definition and cross-references). https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=486210&year=2022
5. Acquisition.gov — FAR 41.701 Formats for utility service specifications (includes natural gas). https://www.acquisition.gov/far/41.701
6. U.S. Census Bureau — The Census Bureau’s Implementation of the 2022 NAICS (timeline and adoption). https://www.census.gov/library/reference/code-lists/naics/2022/implementation-timeline.html