Los Angeles, CA Building Safety: Elevator Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Inspection frequency
- Once every year (all elevator equipment and related devices)
- Certificate required
- Certificate of Inspection (Operating Permit) must be posted in each elevator car
- Minimum operational requirement
- At least one elevator must remain operational in any inhabited building with elevators
- Private residence elevator fee
- $58 per periodic inspection
- Cabled elevator (21+ landings) fee
- $357 per periodic inspection
- Post-seismic protocol
- Elevator shut down by seismic device must be inspected by a Certified Journey-Level Elevator Mechanic before return to service
Summary
All elevator equipment in LA must be inspected and tested by the Department of Building and Safety once every year. Buildings with passenger elevators must keep at least one operational at all times.
SEC. 92.0109. REQUIRED ELEVATORS. Every inhabited building provided with a passenger elevator after the effective date of this Section shall maintain at least one operational passenger elevator serving all occupied levels of the building, regardless of the number or stories.
EXCEPTION: The building may be inhabited for a limited period of time, subject to the approval of the Department, without an operational elevator during periods of elevator maintenance, repair or replacement.
SEC. 92.0126. INSPECTION AND INSPECTION FEES.
(a) The Department shall cause to be inspected and tested once every year all elevator equipment or related devices governed by this Code.
(b) The Department shall have its representative present to witness all tests made on elevator safety devices, governors and other safety equipment. Every such device shall be stamped with the proper identification and date before the Department may approve such device for use.
(c) The Department shall charge and collect a fee for each periodic inspection made by the Department as follows: Private residence elevator.....$58.00 Cabled elevator: 10 landings or under.....$214.00; 11 landings but under 20.....$286.00; 21 landings and over.....$357.00
Full Breakdown
LAMC § 92.0109 requires any inhabited building with a passenger elevator to maintain at least one operational elevator serving all occupied levels at all times, with a limited exception for active maintenance or repair periods approved by the Department. LAMC § 92.0126 mandates annual inspection and testing of all elevator equipment, including witnessing tests of safety devices and governors, each of which must be stamped with identification and date before approved for use. A Certificate of Inspection (Operating Permit) must be posted in each elevator car. Inspection fees range from $58 for private residence elevators to $357 for large cabled elevators with 21+ landings.
Violations & Fines
Operation of elevator equipment without a valid Certificate of Inspection or after a Department shutdown order is a misdemeanor. The Superintendent of Building may order equipment sealed and taken out of service immediately in an emergency. Failure to pay fees within 60 days of notification constitutes cause to prohibit use of the elevator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often must our building elevator be inspected?
Can our building be occupied if the elevator is down for repairs?
What happens after an earthquake shuts down our elevator?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles
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