New York, NY Building Safety: Elevator Maintenance (2026)

Under Title 1 RCNY Section 103-02 and NYC Building Code Chapter 30, every elevator in the five boroughs must undergo two annual inspections by a DOB-licensed elevator inspection agency on behalf of the property owner. The Category 1 (CAT1) no-load safety test must be performed annually between January 1 and December 31. A periodic visual inspection must also be performed annually. The Category 5 (CAT5) full-load safety test is required every 5 years from the month of the most recent CAT5 test or from issuance of a Certificate of Compliance for new elevators. CAT1 and periodic inspection reports must be filed with DOB within 14 days of the inspection date to avoid late fees. CAT5 test results must be filed within 21 days. Defects identified during any inspection must be corrected within 90 days and the correction filed within 14 days of repair. Building owners must maintain a current maintenance contract with an agency holding a DOB-issued Elevator Agency Director License. DOB violations must be corrected within 10 calendar days.