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St. Louis County, MO Building Safety: Elevator Maintenance (2026)

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

Key Facts

Inspection frequency
At least annually, up to 3x/year at Code Official's discretion
Comprehensive annual fee
$152 base plus $28 per additional floor
More-frequent inspection fee
$59 base plus $12 per additional floor
Enforcing agency
Dept. of Transportation and Public Works, Code Official
Outside inspector requirement
County Certificate of Competency, renewed annually
Maximum penalty
$1,000 fine or 90 days jail per violation

Summary

St. Louis County requires periodic Code Official inspections of every elevator, freight lift, moving stairway and chairlift under the county's Mechanical Code. Passenger and freight elevators get at least one comprehensive annual inspection, and the Code Official can order up to three inspections a year. Fees and a $1,000 penalty for noncompliance apply.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of St. Louis County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

107.7 Periodic Inspections. Periodic inspections shall be made by the Code Official of all equipment and devices listed in Table 107.7 at the frequency specified in Table 107.7, or at such other times as the Code Official shall deem appropriate. Fees for inspections shall be paid by the owner of such equipment or devices in accordance with Chapter 1100, SLCRO 1974 as amended. [...] Table 107.7 Periodic Mechanical Inspection Frequencies: Elevators - Freight and Passenger, Man lifts, Moving Stairways and Chairlifts | Not less than annually, up to three times per year, at the discretion of the Code Official | An elevator mechanic is required to perform tests witnessed by a qualified County Inspector during a Comprehensive Annual Elevator Inspection that meets both County and State obligations.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 85 | Traffic: Supplement 80).

Full Breakdown

7. " The table's remarks column specifically requires that "an elevator mechanic is required to perform tests witnessed by a qualified County Inspector during a Comprehensive Annual Elevator Inspection that meets both County and State obligations," tying the county's own inspection into the state elevator-safety inspection cycle rather than running a separate, duplicative one. 7 puts the cost of these inspections on the equipment owner, billed under the fee schedule in Chapter 1100 SLCRO 1974. 00 per additional floor. 1, obtained from the Department of Transportation and Public Works and renewed annually, and must submit the inspection report to the Code Official within 60 days before the scheduled certificate month. The Department of Transportation and Public Works, through its Code Official, administers and enforces this schedule.

Violations & Fines

Failing to schedule the required periodic inspection, or maintaining an elevator in violation of the Mechanical Code, is a violation under Section 108.4 of the same amended IMC chapter. A person, firm or corporation who fails to comply, maintains equipment in violation, or fails to request a required inspection is subject to a fine of up to $1,000.00, imprisonment of up to 90 days, or both, and each day the violation continues after notice is a separate offense. The Code Official issues a written notice of violation before penalties attach.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often must elevators be inspected in St. Louis County?
Table 107.7 of the county's Mechanical Code requires elevators, freight lifts, man lifts, moving stairways and chairlifts to be inspected not less than annually, and the Code Official can require up to three inspections per year at his discretion. The annual inspection must be a Comprehensive Annual Elevator Inspection witnessed by a qualified county inspector.
Who pays for the elevator inspection?
Section 107.7 puts inspection fees on the equipment owner. The county charges $152.00 for a comprehensive annual elevator inspection plus $28.00 per additional floor, or $59.00 plus $12.00 per floor for a more-frequent, non-comprehensive inspection, under the fee table in Chapter 1100 SLCRO 1974.
Can a private inspector do the elevator inspection instead of the county?
Yes, but only if that inspector holds a county-issued Certificate of Competency under Section 107.10.1. Special or insurance-company inspectors get the certificate from the Department of Transportation and Public Works, must renew it annually, and must submit their inspection report to the Code Official within 60 days before the scheduled certificate month.
What happens if a building owner skips the required elevator inspection?
It is a Mechanical Code violation under Section 108.4. After the Code Official gives written notice, an owner who fails to comply faces a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment up to 90 days, or both, and each additional day the violation continues after notice counts as a separate offense.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in St. Louis County

All St. Louis County rules

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