Is a main needed in front of this:

[qcroanoke]

Meter socket on exterior wall through the wall to an ATS from the ATS back through the wall to an MTS on the exterior then back inside to the main breaker in the panel.
(ATS is not service rated)
I believe I need something between the meter socket and ATS.
ATS and panel are adjacent to each other but with it going back outside to the MTS I am wondering......
Code reference please.
Cause if we need one I'm gonna have to be able to prove we need it........
Thanks!

 

[Smart $]

Meter socket on exterior wall through the wall to an ATS from the ATS back through the wall to an MTS on the exterior then back inside to the main breaker in the panel.
(ATS is not service rated)
I believe I need something between the meter socket and ATS.
ATS and panel are adjacent to each other but with it going back outside to the MTS I am wondering......
Code reference please.
Cause if we need one I'm gonna have to be able to prove we need it........
Thanks!

A good start is...

VI. Service Equipment ? Disconnecting Means
230.70 General. Means shall be provided to disconnect all conductors in a building or other structure from the service entrance conductors.

Allowances are made for service entrance conductors in a building going to the service disconencting means, but not for service entrance conductors going to other equipment before the service disconnecting means.

Additionally...

230.82 Equipment Connected to the Supply Side of Ser-
vice Disconnect. Only the following equipment shall be permitted to be connected to the supply side of the service disconnecting means:
(1) Cable limiters or other current-limiting devices
(2) Meters and meter sockets nominally rated not in excess of 600 volts, provided all metal housings and service enclosures are grounded in accordance with Part VII and bonded in accordance with Part V of Article 250.
(3) Meter disconnect switches nominally rated not in ex- cess of 600 volts that have a short-circuit current rating equal to or greater than the available short-circuit cur- rent, provided all metal housings and service enclo- sures are grounded in accordance with Part VII and bonded in accordance with Part V of Article 250. A meter disconnect switch shall be capable of interrupt- ing the load served.
(4) Instrument transformers (current and voltage), imped- ance shunts, load management devices, surge arresters, and Type 1 surge-protective devices.
(5) Taps used only to supply load management devices, circuits for standby power systems, fire pump equip- ment, and fire and sprinkler alarms, if provided with
service equipment and installed in accordance with re-
quirements for service-entrance conductors.
(6) Solar photovoltaic systems, fuel cell systems, or inter- connected electric power production sources.
(7) Control circuits for power-operable service disconnect- ing means, if suitable overcurrent protection and dis- connecting means are provided.
(8) Ground-fault protection systems or Type 2 surge- protective devices, where installed as part of listed equipment, if suitable overcurrent protection and dis-
connecting means are provided.