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Washington · Elevators

The elevator code and inspection rules in force in Washington now.

Ch. 296-96 WAC (RCW 70.87): ASME A17.1-2019/CSA B44-19 effective Oct 2, 2023; table also lists A18.1 and A17.3-2015 (A17.3 enforcement reported suspended by L&I policy since Feb 2025, not re-read). Enforced by L&I Elevator Program; municipalities with elevator codes before Jun 13, 1963 may keep jurisdiction (RCW 70.87.200); Seattle (SDCI) runs its own annual conveyance inspections and certificates. Checked on the primary source; the state record was last reviewed 2026-11-12.

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Elevators in Washington

Checked on the source
In force

Ch. 296-96 WAC (RCW 70.87): ASME A17.1-2019/CSA B44-19 effective Oct 2, 2023; table also lists A18.1 and A17.3-2015 (A17.3 enforcement reported suspended by L&I policy since Feb 2025, not re-read)

WAC 296-96-00650 table lists ASME A17.1-2019/CSA B44-19, A18.1-2020 and A17.2-2020 from Oct 2, 2023, and A17.3-2015 from Oct 1, 2018 (last amended WSR 23-17-141). Annual inspection, firefighter-service tests and escalator cleaning were reported earlier and not re-read.

Source: primary document

Who enforces it

L&I Elevator Program; municipalities with elevator codes before Jun 13, 1963 may keep jurisdiction (RCW 70.87.200); Seattle (SDCI) runs its own annual conveyance inspections and certificates

Statewide layer. County and city amendments sit on top; confirm the local office for the address.

What changes next

In force

WAC 296-96-00650 re-read Oct 15, 2026 (A17.1-2019 current since Oct 2, 2023; WSR 23-17-141); L&I A17.3 suspension and the reported Jul 1, 2026 fee change still not re-read

The federal layer

There is no federal elevator inspection program; the state or city program below is the whole obligation, with ASME A17.1 and A17.3 as the referenced standards.

What a building has to do

2 recurring duties

These apply when the building has the equipment or fits the type named. The frequency is the standard one; your local official can set a stricter one, so confirm it for the address.

Annual
Elevator: periodic inspection and certificateState elevator law; ASME A17.1 Part 8 · State elevator authority · Not yet checked line by line against the source.
Monthly
Elevator: firefighters’ emergency operation (Phase I and II) testASME A17.1, 8.6.11 · Owner; log kept on site · Not yet checked line by line against the source.

Questions about the elevator code and inspection rules in Washington

Which elevator rules apply in Washington today?

Ch. 296-96 WAC (RCW 70.87): ASME A17.1-2019/CSA B44-19 effective Oct 2, 2023; table also lists A18.1 and A17.3-2015 (A17.3 enforcement reported suspended by L&I policy since Feb 2025, not re-read). WAC 296-96-00650 table lists ASME A17.1-2019/CSA B44-19, A18.1-2020 and A17.2-2020 from Oct 2, 2023, and A17.3-2015 from Oct 1, 2018 (last amended WSR 23-17-141). Annual inspection, firefighter-service tests and escalator cleaning were reported earlier and not re-read.

Who enforces the elevator code and inspection rules in Washington?

L&I Elevator Program; municipalities with elevator codes before Jun 13, 1963 may keep jurisdiction (RCW 70.87.200); Seattle (SDCI) runs its own annual conveyance inspections and certificates.

What changes next for the elevator code and inspection rules in Washington?

Nothing is scheduled. The rule above stays in force until the state adopts a newer edition or amends the program; AHJ Radar re-checks the source weekly.

Other areas in Washington

Everything in force in Washington
Fire code2021 International Fire Code with Washington amendments (ch. 51-54A WAC), part of the Stat…Building code2021 International Building Code incl. Appendix E with Washington amendments (ch. 51-50 WA…BoilersCh. 70.79 RCW + ch. 296-104 WAC; inspection frequencies in WAC 296-104-100 as amended by W…Pools and spasCh. 246-260 WAC Water Recreation Facilities (pools, spas, wading and spray pools) + ch. 24…Hotels and lodgingDOH Transient Accommodation licensing (ch. 70.62 RCW, ch. 246-360 WAC); fire safety under …Workplace safetyWashington State Plan run by L&I Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) under c…Retrofit and recertificationClean Buildings Performance Standard (RCW 19.27A.210; energy, not life safety) for buildin…

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