Elevators in Berkeley are regulated by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal-OSHA) Elevator Unit, requiring annual inspections and a valid permit to operate.
Under California Labor Code 7300 and Title 8 CCR, all elevators, escalators, and similar conveyances in Berkeley must be permitted, inspected, and maintained to Cal-OSHA Elevator Unit standards. Owners must obtain a Permit to Operate, renewed annually with an inspection by a Cal-OSHA certified elevator inspector or Qualified Company. Maintenance must be performed by a licensed elevator contractor on a preventive schedule. Test reports, including annual and 5-year safety tests, must be filed with the Elevator Unit. The current permit must be posted in the elevator car. Failure to permit or maintain results in shutdown orders. Berkeley Building and Safety enforces permit compliance during rental housing inspections. Residential single-family elevators have simpler rules but still require permits.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Alameda County handle elevator maintenance.
See how Berkeley's elevator maintenance rules stack up against other locations.
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