# NYC elevator inspection deadlines

> NYC elevators need a periodic inspection and a Category 1 test every calendar year, between January 1 and December 31. Periodic reports are due within 14 days and Category 1 reports within 21 days. Category 5 tests are due within five years from the month of the last Category 5 test.

Source page: https://coderalert0.github.io/nyc-dob-violations-site/elevator-inspection-deadlines.html
Checked against city sources on November 4, 2026. Independent app. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the NYC Department of Buildings or the City of New York.

## Elevator deadlines at a glance

| | Periodic inspection | Category 1 test | Category 5 test |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Annual visual inspection | Annual no-load safety test | Test with rated load and speed |
| When | January 1 to December 31 | January 1 to December 31 | Within 5 years from the month of the last Category 5 test |
| Report due | 14 days after the inspection | 21 days after the test | 21 days after the test |
| Filings close | January 14 of the next year | January 21 of the next year | The 21st day of the month after the five-year anniversary |

A periodic inspection must be at least three months after any Category 1 test or previous periodic inspection. The agency performing the periodic inspection cannot be affiliated with the agency performing maintenance on the device.

The rule's definition of an elevator includes escalators, moving walkways, material lifts, vertical reciprocating conveyors, dumbwaiters and other conveying systems.

## Penalties

These penalties apply to owners of commercial buildings, mixed-use buildings and buildings with more than two residential units.

| Violation | Periodic and Category 1 | Category 3 and 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Failure to file | $3,000 per elevator | $5,000 per elevator |
| Late filing | $150 per month per elevator, up to $1,800 | $250 per month per elevator, up to $3,000 |

## If the inspection finds defects

Defects found in a Category 1 test or periodic inspection must be corrected within 90 days of the initial inspection, and the correction filed within 14 days of the correction date. Defects not corrected and filed within 104 days of the initial inspection result in Failure to Correct violations.

## Frequently asked questions

### When is the NYC elevator inspection deadline?

Periodic inspections and Category 1 tests must be done by December 31 each year. Periodic filings close January 14 of the next year and Category 1 filings close January 21.

### Is Category 1 due a year after the last test?

No. Category 1 follows the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, regardless of the month of the last test. Category 5 is the test that counts from the month of the last one.

### Can the periodic inspection and Category 1 test happen on the same day?

Generally no. The periodic inspection must be at least three months from any Category 1 test. The rule lets private residence elevators do both on the same date.

### Do removed elevators still need inspections?

DOB may waive penalties with proof that a permit was issued for removal or dismantling and DOB signed off before the cycle began. Waivers also exist for some work in progress and for buildings ordered sealed or vacated by a government agency. Check the rule for the proof required.

## Sources

- [NYC DOB: Elevator Compliance](https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/safety/elevator-compliance.page)
- [1 RCNY 103-02: Elevator inspections and tests](https://www.nyc.gov/assets/buildings/rules/1_RCNY_103-02.pdf)