New York, NY Building Safety: Elevator Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Category 1 test
- every 6 months
- Periodic inspection
- annually (min. 3 months apart)
- Category 5 test
- every 5 years
- Inspector
- DOB-approved elevator agency
- Unsafe finding
- device pulled from service; DOB notified in 24 hrs
Summary
New York City requires every elevator to pass Category 1 safety tests every six months and a periodic inspection every year, performed by a DOB-approved elevator agency.
Category 1 tests shall be performed between January 1st and December 31st of each year at a minimal time interval of six months from the date of the previous Category 1 testing... Periodic inspections shall be performed between January 1 and December 31 of each year at a minimum of three months from the date of any Category 1 testing or previous periodic inspection.
Full Breakdown
Under the NYC Administrative Code, elevators and conveying systems must be maintained in a safe condition per ASME A17.1 as modified by the city building code. An approved elevator agency must run Category 1 tests at least every six months and a periodic inspection at least every twelve months (minimum three months apart from the last Category 1 test). Water hydraulic elevators also get Category 3 tests every three years, and Category 5 tests are required every five years. Any device found unsafe must be taken out of service immediately, with DOB notified within 24 hours.
Violations & Fines
Owners who skip required Category 1 testing or the annual periodic inspection face DOB violations and civil penalties; an elevator found unsafe or hazardous must be shut down immediately by the inspecting agency, which must notify the Department of Buildings within 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does an NYC elevator need inspection?
What happens if an inspection finds a hazard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New York
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