Porter County, IN Building Safety: Elevator Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Scope
- Elevators and lifts inside a private residence only
- State status
- Not a "regulated lifting device" under IC 22-12-1-22
- Standards adopted
- ANSI/ASME A17.1-2000 and ASME A18.1a-2001
- Records on file
- Clerk of the county legislative body
- General penalty
- Up to $2,500.00 fine (Sec. 6-111)
Summary
Porter County treats elevators and lifts installed inside a private residence as unregulated lifting devices under state law, but still requires them to meet incorporated ANSI/ASME safety standards for design, installation and maintenance.
Pursuant to IC 22-12-1-22, lifting devices, such as elevators and wheelchair lifts, located within a private residence are not regulated lifting devices. Therefore, the following standards applicable to lifting devices located within a private residence are incorporated by reference:(1)Part 5.3, Private Residence Elevators, ANSI/ASME A17.1-2000, Safety Code for Elevators published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Three Park Avenue, New York, New York, 10016.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 6-139 of the county code addresses lifting devices, such as elevators and wheelchair lifts, located within a private residence. Citing IC 22-12-1-22, the section states these devices are not "regulated lifting devices" under state law, meaning they fall outside the state's commercial elevator inspection and licensing regime. 1a-2001 for private inclined stairway lifts, all published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. 4, so an owner or installer can verify the exact design, safety and maintenance criteria that apply to a home lift before installation.
Because these devices are exempt from the state's regulated-lifting-device inspection program, routine safety compliance rests on the property owner meeting the incorporated ANSI/ASME provisions rather than on a recurring county inspection cycle; the county's general building-permit process in Article V (Secs. 6-209 through 6-213) still governs the construction permit needed to install the lift as part of a structure.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 6-139 does not itself set a distinct penalty; failure to meet the incorporated ANSI/ASME standards or to obtain the required building permit for the installation exposes the owner or installer to the general building-code penalties in Sec. 6-111, a fine of up to $2,500.00, plus a possible stop-work order under Sec. 6-109 or permit revocation under Sec. 6-108.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are home elevators inspected by Porter County like commercial elevators?
What safety standard applies to a home elevator in Porter County?
Do I still need a permit to install a home lift?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Porter County
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