You manage a portfolio with 2015 Schindler 3300 elevators across Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and California. Eight units per building. Identical equipment. Identical age. Identical service history.
One state's inspector walks through and signs off. Another state's inspector red-flags the same equipment and hands you a compliance deadline. A third state has requirements your elevator company hasn't mentioned in five years of service.
This is not hypothetical. This is what happens when you assume elevator codes are national.
The same elevator can be fully compliant in one state and require $40,000 in upgrades in another. Not because the equipment degraded. Not because the inspector was harsh. Because each state adopts elevator safety codes at different times, with different amendments, enforced by different authorities. Your elevator company may not track this across state lines. Your insurance broker probably doesn't. But when the inspector shows up, none of that matters. A failed inspection cascades into liability exposure, tenant complaints, and emergency budget requests.
This guide maps the code landscape. Where the gaps are. Which deadlines are coming. And what multi-state portfolio managers need to budget before inspection season arrives.
What Is ASME A17.1 and Why Does It Matter?
ASME A17.1/CSA B44 is the Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators. It is the national baseline that every state elevator code builds from. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers publishes updates on a three-year cycle. The current edition is A17.1-2019, with A17.1-2022 now available and A17.1-2025 in development.
When a state "adopts" ASME A17.1, it means that edition becomes the legal standard for elevator construction, maintenance, and inspection within that jurisdiction. The state may adopt the code verbatim or add amendments for local conditions (seismic zones, fire integration requirements, historical preservation rules).
Here is where the problem starts: states adopt at different times.
Florida adopted A17.1-2019 in early 2024. Pennsylvania is still running A17.1-2000 (the oldest adoption in the nation) until July 1, 2025. California uses a dual-adoption system with A17.1-1996 for elevators contracted before 2008 and A17.1-2004 for those after. New York City runs A17.1-2013 with extensive local modifications through Appendix K.
The result is a patchwork where identical equipment has different compliance requirements depending on geography. A safety feature required in North Carolina since 2020 may not be required in Pennsylvania until 2025. A component your Florida vendor considers standard may not exist in your California building's code.
This is not theoretical complexity. This is the compliance landscape every multi-state property manager navigates.
Code Lag Severity: Where Does Your State Stand?
Not all code lags are equal. A state one edition behind (say, A17.1-2016 vs A17.1-2019) has minor differences. A state 20 years behind has equipment requirements, safety device specifications, and testing protocols that diverge significantly from modern practice.
Here is how we rank code lag severity:
Current (A17.1-2019 or A17.1-2022): Low Risk
States: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut (recently updated), Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming
These states enforce modern safety requirements including video communication for high-rise elevators, updated firefighter service protocols, and current testing standards. Equipment from major manufacturers is designed to meet these codes. Parts availability is good. Technician training aligns with current practice.
Moderate Lag (A17.1-2013 or A17.1-2016): Medium Risk
States: Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota
These states are 1-2 code cycles behind. Most equipment will comply, but some newer safety features may not be required. The gap matters primarily for multi-state portfolios where consistency is expected. Training and parts should not be significantly affected.
High Lag (A17.1-2007 or A17.1-2010): Elevated Risk
States: Pennsylvania (until July 2025), Alaska, Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Nebraska, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin
These states are missing key safety updates introduced between 2010 and 2019. Equipment compliant in these states may need upgrades to meet modern-code state requirements. Parts for code-specific components may have longer lead times. Technicians working across state lines may need to track different procedures.
Pennsylvania is the most significant case. It currently runs A17.1-2000 (yes, 2000) and jumps to A17.1-2016 on July 1, 2025. This is a 16-year code leap that will affect thousands of elevators. If your Pennsylvania elevators have not had a comprehensive assessment recently, consider our elevator inspection checklist before the transition date.
Critical Lag (A17.1-2004 or Earlier): High Risk
States: California (dual A17.1-1996 and A17.1-2004), New York City (A17.1-2013 with extensive Appendix K modifications)
California's 20-30 year code lag creates the most complexity. An elevator that is fully compliant under A17.1-1996 may be missing safety devices that have been standard elsewhere for two decades. Multi-state portfolios face training fragmentation (mechanics must know multiple code editions), parts challenges (some California-legal components are discontinued elsewhere), and compliance audits that require state-by-state tracking.
New York City's situation is different but equally complex. The city uses A17.1-2013 as a base but modifies it extensively through Building Code Appendix K. Some requirements are stricter than the base code. Others allow exceptions that would not pass in other jurisdictions. NYC inspectors enforce local rules that may not align with how your national elevator contractor trains its teams.
Our State Code Database tracks current adoption status for all 50 states plus DC. Before assuming your equipment is compliant, check where each jurisdiction stands.
The Video Communication Mandate: What You Need to Know
ASME A17.1-2019 introduced a significant new requirement in Section 2.27: elevators with a rise of 60 feet or greater must have both voice AND video communication capability.
This means:
- The elevator car must have an intercom AND a camera
- Internal building communication systems must allow viewing of passengers anywhere in the cab
- Emergency personnel must have access to the video feed during rescue operations
This is not a nice-to-have upgrade. It is a code requirement in every state that has adopted A17.1-2019.
Which States Enforce Video Communication Now?
If your state runs A17.1-2019, elevators with 60+ foot rise must comply. This includes:
North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Texas, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming
Which States Do Not Require Video Communication Yet?
California (A17.1-1996/2004), New York City (A17.1-2013), Pennsylvania (A17.1-2000 until July 2025), and other lagging states do not currently require video communication.
However: if your elevator was manufactured to meet A17.1-2019 (most equipment since 2020), it likely has video capability already. The issue is older equipment that needs retrofit.
Budget Impact
Retrofit costs for video communication run $2,000-$5,000 per unit, depending on existing infrastructure. If your building already has an intercom system with wiring to a central station, the upgrade is on the lower end. If you need new wiring, new monitors at the building management station, and emergency access integration, costs run higher.
For an 8-unit property, budget $16,000-$40,000 for video communication retrofit.
Upcoming Deadlines Every Portfolio Manager Should Track
Pennsylvania: July 1, 2025
Pennsylvania transitions from ASME A17.1-2000 (yes, the year 2000) to A17.1-2016. This is the largest single-state code jump in the nation.
What changes:
- 16 years of safety device improvements become mandatory
- Video communication requirements for 60+ foot rise (though A17.1-2016 does not include the video mandate from 2019, subsequent state updates may add it)
- Updated firefighter service requirements
- Modern testing protocols that may reveal deficiencies in equipment that has been "compliant" for decades
If you own Pennsylvania elevators, get an inspection BEFORE July 2025. Understand what your equipment needs to meet 2016 code. Budget accordingly.
Pennsylvania also has a unique dual certification requirement for inspectors: both QEI (Qualified Elevator Inspector) AND UCC (Uniform Construction Code) certification. No other state requires both. Make sure your inspector meets Pennsylvania's specific requirements.
Ohio: November 10, 2025
Ohio adopted A17.1-2019 in July 2024 but with amendments that take effect November 10, 2025. These include state-specific licensing requirements under HB 107, which mandates mechanic and contractor licensing.
If you have Ohio elevators serviced by an out-of-state contractor, verify they meet Ohio's new licensing rules before the November deadline.
New York City: January 1, 2027
All traction elevators with single plunger brakes must comply with one of two options:
- Replace with dual-plunger type brakes, OR
- Install Unintended Car Movement (UCM) protection per ASME A17.1 Section 2.19.2
UCM protection prevents the elevator from moving when doors are open. It is a safety device that has been standard in new installations for years but may not be present on older equipment.
Cost: $5,000-$15,000 per unit for UCM retrofit. For context on how these costs compare to other major elevator expenses, see our guide on elevator modernization costs.
If you own traction elevators in NYC installed before 2015, get a brake assessment now. Do not wait until 2027 to discover you need 30 units retrofitted at $10,000 each.
What This Means for Multi-State Portfolios
If you manage properties across multiple states, you are managing multiple code environments simultaneously. Here is how the complexity compounds:
Example: 2015 Schindler 3300 elevators (80-foot rise) across CT, PA, and CA
- Connecticut (A17.1-2019): Video communication required. Must have voice AND video in cab. If not present, retrofit required. Cost: $2,000-$5,000 per unit.
- Pennsylvania (A17.1-2000 until July 2025): Video NOT required under current code. However, after July 1, 2025, you will be on A17.1-2016. The video mandate is not in 2016, but PA may add it via amendment. Budget for potential upgrade.
- California (A17.1-2004): Video NOT required. The code is 15 years behind. However, if you modernize the elevator, you may trigger code compliance cascade requiring current-edition safety features.
Budget recommendation:
- CT: $16,000-$40,000 for video retrofit (8 units) NOW
- PA: Same amount budgeted for Q3 2025 (after code transition)
- CA: No immediate video requirement, but include in any modernization planning
This is exactly the analysis that national elevator contractors often skip. They service each building to local code and assume you are tracking the differences. You probably are not. That is what leads to inspection surprises. For more on the differences between OEM and independent service companies, and how to compare elevator service bids across jurisdictions, see our related guides.
How to Protect Your Portfolio
Get a State-by-State Compliance Audit
Do not assume your elevator company is tracking code differences across your portfolio. Request a written compliance report for each property that identifies:
- Current state code edition
- Specific requirements for your equipment type
- Any deficiencies vs. current code
- Upcoming deadlines that affect your equipment
If your contractor cannot provide this, you have a gap. Review our guide on how to read your elevator service contract to understand what compliance commitments should be included.
Budget for Video Communication Proactively
If you have elevators with 60+ foot rise in A17.1-2019 states, budget $2,000-$5,000 per unit for video retrofit. Do not wait for the inspector to flag it.
Track Code Transition Timelines
Pennsylvania (July 2025), Ohio (November 2025), and NYC (January 2027) are the major upcoming deadlines. But code adoptions happen regularly. Subscribe to state elevator authority bulletins or use our State Code Database to track changes.
Ask Your Elevator Company Five Questions Before Inspection Season
- What ASME edition does our state currently enforce?
- Are there any upcoming code transitions that affect our equipment?
- Does our equipment meet all current code requirements, or are there known deficiencies?
- If we have multi-state properties, have you identified any compliance differences between jurisdictions?
- What is the estimated cost to bring any non-compliant equipment into compliance?
If your contractor cannot answer these clearly, consider getting a second opinion. Use our free Contract Scanner to check if your service agreement addresses state-specific compliance requirements.
The Compliance Intelligence Gap
The elevator industry has a knowledge asymmetry problem. Your elevator company knows the codes. Your inspector knows the codes. You, the property manager, are expected to know them too. But nobody is aggregating this information in a way that portfolio managers can actually use.
That is why we built the Contract Scanner. It checks your service agreement against state-specific compliance requirements. Not just the boilerplate "we will maintain per manufacturer specifications," but the actual code requirements your inspector will enforce.
That is why we maintain the State Code Database. Fifty-one jurisdictions. Current code edition. Inspection frequency. Upcoming transitions. All in one place.
And that is why we publish guides like this one. The compliance nightmare is not going away. Code editions will keep diverging. Deadlines will keep arriving. The only defense is information: knowing where you stand before the inspector does.
What to Do Next
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Check Your State: Visit our State Code Database and verify which ASME edition your state enforces.
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Audit Your Portfolio: If you have multi-state properties, create a spreadsheet mapping each building to its state code requirements.
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Scan Your Contract: Use our free Contract Scanner to check if your service agreement addresses state-specific compliance.
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Track Upcoming Deadlines: Pennsylvania (July 2025), Ohio (November 2025), and NYC (January 2027) are the major transitions. Budget accordingly.
The elevator that is compliant today may not be compliant tomorrow. The code that applies in Texas does not apply in California. The inspector who signed off in March may have different requirements by July.
This is the landscape. The only question is whether you map it before the inspection, or after.