Wisconsin · Elevators

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

Conveyance Safety Code, ch. SPS 318 (last updated 2020): ASME A17.1-2016/CSA B44-16, ASME A18.1-2017, ANSI E1.42-2018; A17.3 not among the listed standards. Enforced by DSPS Division of Industry Services (plan review, permits to operate, inspector oversight); inspections by licensed private inspection companies or DSPS district scheduling; Milwaukee and Madison inspect as agent municipalities. Checked on the primary source; the state record was last reviewed 2026-11-12.

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Elevators in Wisconsin

Checked on the source

In force

Conveyance Safety Code, ch. SPS 318 (last updated 2020): ASME A17.1-2016/CSA B44-16, ASME A18.1-2017, ANSI E1.42-2018; A17.3 not among the listed standards

Every conveyance at a commercial building needs a permit to operate, renewed on a compliant annual inspection (stairway chairlifts on a 3-year cycle); DSPS guide notes annual and 5-year test sets for elevators.

Source: primary document

Who enforces it

DSPS Division of Industry Services (plan review, permits to operate, inspector oversight); inspections by licensed private inspection companies or DSPS district scheduling; Milwaukee and Madison inspect as agent municipalities

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

What changes next

Rulemaking pending

Rule in drafting: DSPS pending-rules page (read Oct 19, 2026) lists Conveyance Safety Code Comprehensive Review (SS 035-25; SPS 302, 305, 316, 318, 321, 362, 366, 381, 382) at Drafting Rule, no dates. Editions (A17.1-2016/CSA B44-16, A18.1-2017) and annual permit-to-operate inspection re-read on the DSPS owner document Oct 24, 2026

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 Wisconsin

Which elevator rules apply in Wisconsin today?

Conveyance Safety Code, ch. SPS 318 (last updated 2020): ASME A17.1-2016/CSA B44-16, ASME A18.1-2017, ANSI E1.42-2018; A17.3 not among the listed standards. Every conveyance at a commercial building needs a permit to operate, renewed on a compliant annual inspection (stairway chairlifts on a 3-year cycle); DSPS guide notes annual and 5-year test sets for elevators.

Who enforces the elevator code and inspection rules in Wisconsin?

DSPS Division of Industry Services (plan review, permits to operate, inspector oversight); inspections by licensed private inspection companies or DSPS district scheduling; Milwaukee and Madison inspect as agent municipalities.

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

Rulemaking pending. Rule in drafting: DSPS pending-rules page (read Oct 19, 2026) lists Conveyance Safety Code Comprehensive Review (SS 035-25; SPS 302, 305, 316, 318, 321, 362, 366, 381, 382) at Drafting Rule, no dates. Editions (A17.1-2016/CSA B44-16, A18.1-2017) and annual permit-to-operate inspection re-read on the DSPS owner document Oct 24, 2026