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Louisville, KY Building Safety: Elevator Maintenance (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Freight elevator inspection
Annual, by certified company
Passenger elevators
State-inspected unless delegated to Metro
Records
Kept on site for inspectors
Penalty
Misdemeanor, up to $500 or jail

Summary

Louisville Metro requires freight elevators to be inspected annually by a certified elevator company, with inspection reports kept on site for review by the fire department and state inspectors.

Freight elevators. All freight elevators shall be maintained in a safe working manner and be inspected annually by a certified elevator company to insure safe operation. Copies of annual inspection reports shall be kept on site and available for review by the fire department and Commonwealth of Kentucky or designee elevator inspectors.

Source: Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and ConstructionView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-47: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinances passed by the Council and approved by the Mayor as of July 1, 2026).

Full Breakdown

Louisville Metro Code § 150.008 splits elevator oversight two ways. Passenger elevators, moving sidewalks, wheelchair lifts, stairway chair lifts, and escalators are permitted and inspected by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, unless that authority is delegated to Louisville Metro. Freight elevators are Metro's direct responsibility: owners must keep them in safe working order and have a certified elevator company inspect them annually, with inspection reports kept on site for the fire department and state inspectors to review. The rule covers Jefferson County outside the county's independent home rule cities, which regulate under their own codes.

Violations & Fines

Violating this chapter is a misdemeanor: up to $500 in fines or up to 12 months in jail, with each day of continued violation a separate offense (§ 150.999(C)).

Frequently Asked Questions

Who inspects freight elevators in Louisville Metro?
A certified elevator company must inspect each freight elevator annually under Louisville Metro Code § 150.008(A)(2); the owner keeps the inspection report on site for the fire department and state inspectors.
Does Louisville Metro or Kentucky regulate passenger elevators?
The Commonwealth of Kentucky permits and inspects passenger elevators, escalators, and lifts unless it delegates that authority to Louisville Metro Government.
Do Louisville's home rule cities follow the same elevator rule?
Metro's Title XV applies within Jefferson County outside independent home rule cities like Anchorage or St. Matthews, which enforce their own building codes.

Sources & Official References

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All Louisville rules

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