Atlanta, GA Building Safety: Elevator Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Passenger elevator inspection
- Every 6 months
- Freight elevator inspection
- Every 12 months
- Operating permit term
- 1 year, renewable
- Unsafe-operation fine
- $500, then $1,000
- Enforcing agency
- Bureau of Buildings, Electrical Division
Summary
Atlanta requires passenger elevators be inspected every six months and freight elevators annually under the City of Atlanta Elevator Code; operating without a valid permit or in an unsafe condition draws escalating fines up to $1,000.
(a)Every elevator, dumbwaiter, manlift, moving walk, and escalator shall be maintained by the owner or lessee in a safe operating condition and in conformity with the rules and regulations specified by this code.(b)Before any alteration can be made to any elevator, escalator, manlift, moving walk, or dumbwaiter already placed in service, the owner or lessee shall be required to notify the department of any such alteration. The department shall be authorized to conduct an inspection after any such alteration.(c)Power passenger elevators, escalators, manlifts, and moving walks shall be inspected once during each six-month period.(d)Power freight elevators, hand elevators, and power and hand dumbwaiters shall be inspected once during each 12-month period.
Full Breakdown
The City of Atlanta Elevator Code, 1990 Edition, adopted by reference from the Georgia Department of Labor's elevator and escalator rules, is enforced by the Bureau of Buildings, Electrical Division. It requires power passenger elevators, escalators, manlifts, and moving walks to be inspected once every six months, and power freight elevators, hand elevators, and dumbwaiters once every 12 months. Owners or lessees must keep every elevator, dumbwaiter, manlift, moving walk, and escalator in a safe operating condition, obtain a permit before installation or alteration, and hold a current one-year operating permit before the equipment goes into service.
Violations & Fines
Operating equipment without a valid operating certificate draws a $250 fine for a first offense and $500 for a second; using equipment in an unsafe condition draws $500 then $1,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Atlanta
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