Fort Wayne, IN Building Safety: Elevator Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- commercial, non-residential, mixed-use buildings
- Operating rule
- 1+ elevator running while occupied
- Single-elevator exception
- out of service max 72 hours
- Enforced by
- Code Official / Enforcement Authority
- Citation
- Code of Ordinances § 150.08(G)
Summary
Fort Wayne's commercial property maintenance code requires elevators, escalators and dumbwaiters to stay in proper working order under state regulations, with current inspection certificates posted, and mandates that at least one elevator run whenever an occupied building is open.
Elevators, dumbwaiters and escalators shall be maintained in proper working order in compliance with state regulations. The most current certification of inspection shall be on display at all times within the elevator or attached to the escalator or dumbwaiter. ... In buildings equipped with passenger elevators, at least one elevator shall be maintained in operation at all times when the building is occupied. Exception: buildings equipped with only one elevator shall be permitted to have the elevator temporarily out of service for testing or servicing for a period not to exceed 72 hours.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-60: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. G-19-26, passed 7-14-26, and Res. 83-19, passed 12-17-19 State legislation current through Legislative Service, 2025 Acts, Pamphlet No. 3).
Full Breakdown
Under the city's Minimum Maintenance Standards for Commercial, Non-Residential and Mixed-Use Structures, elevators, dumbwaiters and escalators in covered buildings must stay in proper working order and comply with state elevator regulations, and the current inspection certificate must be posted at the elevator, or attached to the escalator or dumbwaiter. Buildings with passenger elevators must keep at least one running whenever the building is occupied, though a building with only one elevator may take it out of service for testing or servicing for up to 72 hours. The Code Official enforces the chapter through written notices, a graduated penalty scale, and civil actions in Allen County Circuit or Superior Court against buildings that don't comply.
Violations & Fines
Failure to keep a required elevator running or to post current inspection certification draws a code violation notice, escalation to the Enforcement Authority's graduated penalty scale, and potential civil monetary penalties or court action under Indiana's Unsafe Building Law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Fort Wayne require elevator inspection certificates to be posted?
Can a building take its only elevator out of service?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Wayne
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