Elevator Code Requirements and Regulations by Jurisdictions

Different jurisdictions have differing elevator code requirements and elevator regulations for mandated safety inspections. Understanding elevator building codes and local 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.

Map of the United States with states colored red and blue. Red states are managed by the state, blue states are third-party inspected. Alaska and Hawaii are included.
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.

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.