Every NYC elevator test and inspection ends with a report in DOB NOW: Safety, the online filing system of the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB). Each filing, who makes it, and when it is due.
Last checked Sep 30, 2026 against 1 RCNY §103-02, DOB’s Elevator Compliance page, DOB notices and the DOB NOW: Safety FAQ. General information, not legal advice.
The performing agency files each report in DOB NOW: Safety. Test reports for Cat 1, Cat 3 and Cat 5 (DOB form ELV3) are due 21 days after the test, and periodic inspection reports 14 days after the inspection. The affirmation of correction (DOB form ELV29) is due 14 days after the defects are fixed. DOB NOW stops accepting a year’s Cat 1 reports after Jan 21 of the next year, and periodic reports after Jan 14.
The rule is 1 RCNY §103-02, DOB’s elevator inspection rule.
ELV3, ELV29 and ELV36 are DOB form names.
| Filing | Due | Last day DOB NOW accepts it |
|---|---|---|
| Test notification (ELV36) | At least 5 calendar days before an escalator Cat 1, a Cat 3 or a Cat 5 test | — |
| Cat 1 test report (ELV3) | 21 days after the test | Jan 21 of the next year |
| Cat 5 test report (ELV3) | 21 days after the test | 21st of the month after the five-year anniversary |
| Cat 3 test report (ELV3) | 21 days after the test | 21 days after its three-year cycle ends |
| Periodic inspection report | 14 days after the inspection | Jan 14 of the next year |
| Affirmation of correction (ELV29) | 14 days after the defects are corrected | Failure to correct at day 104 (90 + 14) |
Rules that affect these filings:
The performing agency files. Owners, agency directors and inspectors each need an NYC.ID account, the City of New York’s online login, to use DOB NOW: Safety.
DOB’s Jan 2022 notice set the filing fee at $30 for a periodic inspection report and $40 for an affirmation of correction. The rule refers to 1 RCNY §101-03 for fees, so check there for current amounts.
Each test or inspection must fall within its cycle: the calendar year for Cat 1 and periodic inspections, three years for Cat 3 and five years for Cat 5. Its report then has two dates: the 21- or 14-day deadline, and the last day DOB NOW accepts it.
A test late in the cycle has little room. A Cat 1 done on Dec 15 is due Jan 5 and expires after Jan 21. Penalty amounts are in NYC elevator fines.
DOB’s owner “Elevators” page and the DOB NOW: Safety FAQ still show the deadlines in force before Jan 1, 2022. Plan to the current figures on this page; DOB’s Dec 30, 2021 Service Update lists the changes.
21 days from the date of the test. DOB NOW stops accepting a year’s Cat 1 reports after Jan 21 of the next year.
21 days for Cat 1, Cat 3 and Cat 5 reports, and 14 days for periodic inspection reports, since Jan 1, 2022. The 60 days on some older DOB pages was the earlier rule.
The performing agency, from its NYC.ID account. The owner gives the agency their NYC.ID email, and then sees the filing on their own DOB NOW dashboard.
Search the DOB NOW public portal and open “Safety: Compliance Filings” on the property profile. Affirmations of correction aren’t shown there.
DOB’s Jan 2022 notice set $30 for a periodic inspection report and $40 for an affirmation of correction. The rule refers to 1 RCNY §101-03 for current fees.
LiftAuth does not file in DOB NOW: Safety or count down the 21 days. LiftAuth’s Annual Inspections lists every elevator’s next due date and its booking with the witnessing agency, an Auditor in LiftAuth. Defects are logged as Issues against the elevator, with photos, and the Building Manager signs off completed work. Once the report is in, your office enters the elevator’s next due date.
To talk to us, email hello@liftauth.com or fill in the form here.
We’ll reply to you soon.