Plano Building Safety: Elevator Maintenance Rules (2026)

Elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, and other conveyances in Plano commercial and multifamily buildings are regulated statewide by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 754 and Texas Administrative Code Title 16 Chapter 74. Plano does not operate a separate city elevator program; TDLR handles registration, inspection, and licensing. Every elevator must be registered with TDLR, inspected annually by a TDLR-licensed elevator inspector, and hold a current Certificate of Compliance posted in the elevator cab or machine room. Inspectors must be employed by an insured contractor with workers compensation coverage, and inspection reports must be filed with TDLR within 30 days. Elevators must meet ASME A17.1 and A17.3 code requirements, including Firefighters Emergency Operation (Phase I and Phase II) recall for buildings served by elevators with travel over 25 feet. Category 1 (annual) and Category 5 (five-year) load and safety tests are required on rated schedules, and any modernization or alteration requires permit submittal and subsequent testing. Elevator mechanics performing maintenance must hold individual licenses issued by TDLR, with continuing education. Building owners are responsible for ensuring contractors maintain the equipment per manufacturer specifications and correcting deficiencies cited in inspection reports. Operating an elevator without a current certificate, or after a red-tag shutdown, can result in TDLR administrative penalties and civil suits. ADA accessibility standards also apply to passenger elevators in covered buildings.