NYC elevator inspection records: how to look up any building

NYC elevator inspection records

Use both official systems: DOB NOW public portal guidance directs newer elevator filings to DOB NOW and historical filings before December 11, 2017 to BIS. Search by address or building identifier. Check both systems for violations; public DOB NOW viewing does not require an account.

How NYC inspections and tests work

The approved agency conducting an NYC periodic inspection cannot be affiliated with the device maintainer. Category tests have separate performance and independent-witness requirements. DOB compliance guidance.

Annual periodic inspection

The annual NYC periodic visual inspection has a 14-day filing requirement. DOB publishes the inspection and filing schedule. Inspections take place from January 1 through December 31. January 14 of the following year is the final acceptance cutoff; the 14-day filing requirement still applies to each inspection.

Category 1: annual no-load test

CAT1 testing takes place from January 1 through December 31 each year. NYC CAT1 filing is due within 21 days of the test. January 21 of the following year is the final annual acceptance cutoff, not an extension of every test's 21-day deadline. DOB compliance guidance.

Category 5: five-year rated-load and speed test

NYC CAT5 testing uses rated load and speed on the five-year cycle. It is separate from the annual no-load CAT1 test. DOB explains category testing.

NYC CAT5 is tied to the month of the prior test or new-device Certificate of Compliance. Its filing is due within 21 days of testing, with a separate final acceptance cutoff after the five-year anniversary. DOB compliance guidance.

Category 3: water-hydraulic elevators

DOB owner guidance lists CAT3 for water-hydraulic elevators, every three years from installation.

Defects and filings

DOB requires defects identified in CAT1 tests or periodic inspections to be corrected within 90 days. The correction filing is due within 14 days after correction. Read the current DOB requirements.

A failed inspection, unresolved defect or missing required filing can have different compliance consequences. Read the specific notice and correction instructions. A failure-to-file record establishes a filing problem; it does not prove no inspection occurred. DOB compliance.

How to find records

Use the DOB NOW Public Portal guidance to reach DOB NOW and BIS. Historical elevator filings before December 11, 2017 are in BIS; newer DOB NOW filings are in DOB NOW. Search by address or BIN. DOB NOW also supports elevator searches by device number or violation number. Public DOB NOW viewing does not require an account.

For a complete violation search, check both systems: some DOB violations and OATH records remain in BIS. DOB explains where records are held.

How to report an elevator concern

If someone is trapped, the elevator operates dangerously or a shaft is open and unguarded, use emergency services immediately. In NYC, 311 explicitly directs these situations to 911. Ordinary complaint or tracker forms are not emergency channels.

For NYC nonemergency elevator concerns, use NYC311 and retain the service-request number. NYCHA and subway equipment have separate channels. DOB describes referral of an unresolved ordered outage to HPD after its compliance period; agency action depends on findings. DOB outage guidance.

Include the address, affected elevator and time observed. Keep your service-request number and any response.

How to interpret the records

Check device identifiers, inspection dates and results, filing status, and whether defects or violations were resolved. A missing filing does not establish that no inspection occurred. Read the actual notice and ask management or DOB about unclear entries. DOB explains compliance requirements.

Use Elevator Uptime for reported outage information, and official DOB portals for inspection and violation records. Report coverage varies; outage reports are observations rather than official inspection findings.