Elevator Code Requirements and Regulations by Jurisdictions
[Summary: Code requirements and regulations differ by jurisdiction, although many of them stem from ASME A17.1/CSA B44. To maintain your elevator's certificate of operation, you need to track violations and resolutions in real time. Elevator inspections highlight these violations. Depending on the state, inspections can either be state-managed or performed by third-party inspectors.
Third-party inspectors offer objective insights and improve your documentation processes. Working with one is also effective when managing multiple properties. As an independent elevator inspector, we help you navigate the changing elevator requirements across the U.S. Contact us today for guidance on any compliance issues.]
Different jurisdictions have differing elevator code requirements and elevator regulations for mandated safety inspections. Understanding elevator building codes and jurisdiction requirements is essential for maintaining compliance and avoiding violations. Currently, we provide mandated safety inspections for a large number of US locations and Alberta, Canada, where the regulations provide for independent inspection companies.
For example, in the US, there are hundreds of Authority Having Jurisdictions (AHJs), each with their own specific requirements. Jurisdictions are not necessarily bound to state lines, county lines, or zip codes. Some jurisdictions perform their own inspections or have contracted with a single inspector.
The information below is provided as a courtesy and may change at any time. Contact us for guidance on compliance issues.
| Location | AHJ | Inspector |
| Alabama | AL Elevator Safety Review Board | Third Party Inspected |
| Alaska | State Managed | |
| Arizona | Industrial Commission of AZ | Third Party Inspected |
| Arkansas | AR Dept. of Labor & Licensing | Third Party Inspected |
| California | CA Division of Occupational Safety and Health | State Managed |
| Colorado | CO Oil and Public Safety | Third Party Inspected |
| Connecticut | CT Dept. of Administrative Services | State Managed |
| Delaware | DE Code | Third Party Inspected |
| District of Columbia | DC Dept. of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs | Third Party Inspected |
| Florida | FL Dept. of Business & Professional Regulation | Third Party Inspected |
| Georgia | GA Office of Insurance and Safety | Third Party Inspected |
| Hawaii | HI Occupational Safety and Health | State Managed |
| Idaho | Elevator Safety Program | State Managed |
| Illinois | IL Elevator Safety Division | Third Party Inspected |
| Indiana | ID Elevators & Amusement Rides | State Managed |
| Iowa | IA Elevator Safety Board | Third Party Inspected |
| Kansas | Third Party Inspected | |
| Kentucky | KY Dept. of Housing, Buildings & Construction | State Managed |
| Louisiana | LA State Fire Marshal | State Managed |
| Maine | ME Elevator and Tramway Safety Program | Third Party Inspected |
| Maryland | MD Division of Labor & Industry | Third Party Inspected |
| Massachusetts | MA Board of Elevator Regulations | State Managed |
| Michigan | MI Elevator Division | State Managed |
| Minnesota | MN Dept. of Labor & Industry | State Managed |
| Mississippi | MS Insurance Dept. | Third Party Inspected |
| Missouri | MO Elevator Safety Unit | Third Party Inspected |
| Montana | State Managed | |
| Nebraska | NE State Fire Marshal | State Managed |
| Nevada | NV Mechanical Compliance Section | Third Party Inspected |
| New Hampshire | NH Dept. of Labor | State Managed |
| New Jersey | NJ Elevator Safety Unit | State Managed |
| New Mexico | Third Party Inspected | |
| New York | Third Party Inspected | |
| North Carolina | NC Dept. of Labor | State Managed |
| North Dakota | State Managed | |
| Ohio | OH Division of Industrial Compliance | State Managed |
| Oklahoma | OK Elevator Escalator Program | Third Party Inspected |
| Oregon | OR Building Codes Division | State Managed |
| Pennsylvania | PA Labor & Industry Enforcement | Third Party Inspected |
| Rhode Island | RI Elevator Section | State Managed |
| South Carolina | SC Office of Elevators & Amusement Rides | Third Party Inspected |
| South Dakota | State Managed | |
| Tennessee | TN Elevator Unit | State Managed |
| Texas | TX Dept. of Licensing & Regulation | Third Party Inspected |
| Utah | UT Boiler & Elevator Safety Program | State Managed |
| Vermont | VT Division of Fire Safety | Third Party Inspected |
| Virginia | Third Party Inspected | |
| Washington | WA Dept. of Labor & Industries | State Managed |
| West Virginia | WV Division of Labor | Third Party Inspected |
| Wisconsin | Madison Elevator Inspections | Third Party Inspected |
| Wyoming | WY State Fire Marshal | State Managed |
Navigating Jurisdictional Compliance of Elevator Regulations
Elevator code requirements can vary by state, province, city, building type, and the local AHJ. As a result, jurisdictional compliance for one property may look different from compliance for another property, even within the same state.
Many elevator regulations and requirements are based on recognized standards such as ASME A17.1 / CSA B44, but each AHJ is responsible for adopting and enforcing the codes.
Because elevator AHJ requirements are subject to change, it can be challenging for facility owners and property managers to meet deadlines, fulfill documentation requirements, and align with inspection rules. As an independent partner with North America's largest inspection network, ATIS can help you navigate the process with confidence and keep your elevators compliant.
The Role of Elevator AHJ Requirements
An AHJ is the agency or organization responsible for interpreting and enforcing elevator code. Depending on the location, the AHJ may be a state department, city building office, provincial authority, or another regulatory body.
The AHJ plays a central role in elevator compliance. It determines which code edition applies, how local amendments are enforced, how often inspections are required, and what documentation needs to be submitted. The AHJ may also decide whether inspections can be performed by approved third-party elevator inspectors or must be handled by the state or local authority.
ATIS helps clients understand elevator inspection requirements by jurisdiction and coordinate required inspections where third-party inspection is permitted. We also manage the compliance process across complex property portfolios.
The Third-Party Elevator Inspection Advantage in Compliance
In jurisdictions that permit third-party elevator inspection, property owners and facility managers can work with an approved independent inspection provider to complete required inspections while following the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) process. Third-party inspections offer unique advantages, including:
Objective Insights
Third-party inspectors have no ties to the equipment manufacturer or maintenance provider. They offer unbiased and objective elevator evaluations based on relevant standards and regulations.
Support for Multisite Portfolios
If you manage elevators across multiple jurisdictions, third-party inspection support can help you organize different timelines, inspection requirements, and documentation needs.
Improved Documentation
An experienced provider can help ensure inspection reports and related documentation are prepared in accordance with the proper AHJ process.
Managing Elevator Compliance Across Multiple Jurisdictions
Managing elevators across multiple locations means managing different inspection timelines, AHJ requirements, documentation processes, and local code interpretations.
ATIS helps simplify that process with national reach and in-depth code expertise, allowing you to align each elevator in your portfolio with applicable regulations. Our inspections program includes access to the ATIS Alert platform, which provides centralized, real-time visibility of your entire portfolio, tracking inspections, violations, and compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you need to navigate multiple elevator code requirements and AHJ across your properties, the following information can help you improve your compliance strategy:
-
Elevator certificate and violation management processes differ per AHJ, but generally, elevators need to pass mandated inspections in order to receive a certificate of operation. These certificates expire, and renewal timelines vary. Understanding your violations can help you identify who's responsible for correcting them, whether that's you as a property owner or your elevator contractor.
ATIS can help you simplify certification and violation management, especially if you manage multiple properties. Our proprietary platform, ATIS Alert, enables you to track violations and inspections 24/7, so you can schedule assessments and maintenance services accordingly.
-
The process for resolving an elevator code violation can differ based on the AHJ's requirements, but generally, you need to:
Review the violations identified by the inspector: An inspector will notify you of any code violations. Track these violations to ensure you can address each one systematically.
File an appeal if necessary: You may not always agree with the inspector's analysis. Some jurisdictions allow you to file an appeal, provided you make one within a specified deadline.
Resolve the issues immediately: The elevator will remain in violation until you correct the issues. Fees also accumulate until you resolve the violations. Unresolved issues can lead to elevator shutdowns and legal liabilities. Once you've fixed the issue, schedule a reinspection.
If you need guidance with your elevator violations, contact us.
-
The services included in an elevator managed subscription vary depending on the provider. ATIS's TEAM managed services include:
Tracking inspections and violations through ATIS Alert
Ensuring operating certificates are up to date
Completing and submitting required forms to the AHJ
Reviewing invoices against contractual agreements
Coordinating with maintenance contractors regarding elevator performance, reliability, violations, and repairs
Managing elevator contracts
Performing cost savings analysis every quarter
Tracking elevator compliance requirements across multiple jurisdictions can get complicated on your own. As a trusted North American provider of comprehensive elevator and escalator managed services, we'll help you navigate jurisdictional differences for a predictable monthly subscription.
Partner With ATIS
If you're not sure which AHJ applies to your property or whether third-party elevator inspection is permitted in your jurisdiction, ATIS can help. We'll guide you through local elevator regulations, coordinate required inspections where allowed, and support compliance across single-site and multisite portfolios. Contact ATIS today to connect with an elevator compliance expert.