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Building Code Requirements for Elevators in California

The California Elevator Safety Orders specify requirements on at least 16 types of elevators and lifts. Specifications vary according to the elevator's installation date. These regulations are administered by the Department of Industrial Relations under Title 8, Chapter 4, Subchapter 6, of the California Code of Regulations and no longer by the California building codes. Though the requirements vary by elevator type and year installed, some basic requirements apply to every elevator in California.

  1. Plans and Notification

    • Before installing an elevator or making changes to an existing one, the responsible person or company must submit to the State of California a Letter of Intent notifying the state of the proposed installation or changes. Detailed plans and drawings of the proposed elevator installation must be sent with the notification. These plans must comply with California Elevator Safety Orders for the specific type of elevator.

    Initial Inspections

    • Once the installation or alterations are complete, subsequent notification must be sent to the local California elevator unit to schedule an inspection. Inspections must be performed after installations and changes to an existing elevator and for elevator reactivations. All must comply with California's Elevator Safety Orders, which list requirements for elevators and lifts, including cable-driven, incline and hydraulic elevators. The orders specify, among other things, enclosure construction, electrical requirements, counterweights and emergency devices for each type and year of elevator. Consult the Elevator Safety Orders directly to find the exact requirements for the type and year of the elevator.

    Annual Inspections and Permits

    • Elevators are inspected every year in most cases and every two years in others to ensure they conform to current Elevator Safety Orders. The owner of the elevator must notify the elevator district office within 30 days of the permit expiration to schedule an inspection. Once the elevator passes inspection, the permit will be renewed. If the elevator needs repairs or work to meet standards, the inspector will issue a preliminary order.

    Preliminary Order

    • If the inspector issues a preliminary order, the owner must make the required modifications and notify the elevator office within 30 days. Otherwise, the elevator office will issue an Order to Correct Unsafe Conditions or to Show Cause, with which the owner must comply within another 30 days or the elevator will be shut down. The state also might shut down an elevator because it is found to be so unsafe it poses an "imminent hazard," or because the owner has unpaid inspection and permit fees more than 60 days past due, or because the elevator is found to be illegal according to Elevator Safety Orders.

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