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1. Who is authorized to perform work on my elevator?

The State of Delaware and New Castle County have adopted ASME A17.1 – Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators and ASME A18.1 – Safety Standards for Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts. The codes require a maintenance program of periodic inspections to be performed by a third party Qualified Elevator Inspector (QEI). In accordance with these Codes, only Certified QEIs are authorized to perform any maintenance, repairs, alterations, or replacements on any elevator or conveyance.

2. Is maintenance required for elevators?

Yes. Maintenance requirements are currently based on installation date and New Castle County adopted codes, including those for platform lifts and stairway chairlifts. In general, installations, maintenance, and inspections shall comply with ASME A17.1-2016 and ASME A18.1-2014 as currently adopted in the 2018  International Building Code, as amended by New Castle County and the New Castle County Property Maintenance Code.

3. When is an inspection required?

An inspection is to be made whenever the Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators or Safety Standards for Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts require one. Currently, an inspection is required when a device is first installed as new before it can be released for public use; when any alteration/modernization work is performed as outlined in the Code; when the safety inspection is required per the Code and when a device has been reactivated after being taken out of service for an extended period of time.

Most elevators require an inspection every six months, while the Elevator Compliance and Operation Certificates are issued annually.

Elevators in residential single-family dwellings that are not accessible to the public shall be inspected upon completion of installation prior to being placed in service, or after alterations prior to being returned to service. Residential single-family dwellings will only be issued an Elevator Compliance and Operation Certificate by New Castle County in the instances defined above – they are not subject to the annual certification process.

4. Who is authorized to perform inspections?

New Castle County staff will inspect elevator shafts as part of the permit process for the structure. All elevators and conveyance systems shall be inspected by a Delaware Qualified Elevator Inspector (QEI). A Delaware QEI is someone who has been determined by ASME and the State of Delaware to have the qualifications and ability of a competent conveyance inspector and is certified as such.

5. How do I submit an inspection report to New Castle County?

The Certified Elevator Inspectors shall file with the Department of Land Use duplicate copies of all inspection reports. Reports can be sent via email to: Permits or by mail to: NCC Dept. of Land Use, 87 Reads Way, New Castle, DE 19720. Building owners should only send inspection reports at the time of annually invoicing, if it is defined as outstanding on the statement.

6. Why am I receiving an Elevator Renewal Statement?

You have been defined as the owner/responsible party for a parcel containing an elevator or conveyance system and are responsible for maintaining a current Elevator Compliance and Operation Certificate. Statements are sent annually from New Castle County and detail all outstanding fees and outstanding inspections required in order to renew the Elevator Certificate of Compliance and Operation.

7. Why is the Statement sent to the Property Owner of Record on the tax bill?

Statements are sent to the owner of record for each property where an elevator is located as legally the owner is responsible for elevator compliance. New Castle County is currently working on a system to notify additional parties. The owner can designate another person such as a building manager to act as the responsible party (or agent) to receive correspondence and maintenance service related to the operation of the elevator. Ultimately, though, the owner is responsible for compliance and payment of all elevator related fees and penalties.

8. How do I receive an updated Certificate?

Elevator Certificates of Compliance and Operation are issued by New Castle County Department of Land Use annually. Invoices are mailed out every June. Once the renewal fee is paid and the required inspections are verified by Land Use staff, an updated Certificate will be issued and may be obtained using the Parcel Search webpage.

• Enter the property address or parcel # into the search criteria.
• Click the Details link next to the property.
• Click the Elevator Certificates link at the top of the screen.
• Each Certificate will be listed individually by License #.

9. Who is responsible for maintaining a current Elevator Compliance and Operation Certificate for an elevator?

The owner/responsible party for any location is responsible for maintaining a current Elevator Compliance and Operation Certificate for an elevator or conveyance.

10. How do I request a copy of the elevator records?

Records may be obtained from the Elevator Maintenance Company servicing your unit or the Qualified Elevator Inspector performing the inspections. Under some cases, New Castle County may also have inspection records that may be obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request at: FOIA

11. How do I contact the Land Use Department to discuss elevator compliance?

The Permits Section of the Land Use Department issues the Elevator Compliance and Operation Certificates. Please email questions to Permits or contact staff at 302-395-5420.