The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) charges elevator penalties per elevator, to the owner. The amounts depend on the kind of building.
Last checked Sep 30, 2026 against 1 RCNY §103-02 and DOB’s Elevator Compliance page. General information, not legal advice.
In commercial, mixed-use and 3+ unit residential buildings, the owner pays $3,000 per elevator for a Cat 1 or periodic inspection report never filed. A Cat 3 or Cat 5 report never filed costs $5,000, and a failure to correct defects costs $3,000. Late reports cost $150 a month, up to $1,800 ($250 a month, up to $3,000, for Cat 3 and Cat 5).
In 1–2 family homes the amounts are $1,000, and $50 a month up to $600. The rule is 1 RCNY §103-02, DOB’s elevator inspection rule.
The owner pays. The rule defines the owner as anyone “having a legal or equitable interest in, or control of the premises and/or elevator.”
Penalties are per elevator. A building with four elevators that misses its Cat 1 filings faces four penalties. The rule does not charge the contractor or the agencies.
Commercial and mixed-use buildings, and residential buildings with more than two units.
| Violation | Penalty per elevator |
|---|---|
| Cat 1 report not filed by Jan 21 of the next year | $3,000 |
| Periodic inspection report not filed by Jan 14 of the next year | $3,000 |
| Cat 3 or Cat 5 report not filed by 21 days after its cycle ends | $5,000 |
| Cat 1 or periodic report filed late | $150 a month, up to $1,800 |
| Cat 3 or Cat 5 report filed late | $250 a month, up to $3,000 |
| Failure to correct: defects not corrected and affirmed by day 104 (90 + 14) | $3,000 |
| Affirmation of correction filed late | $150 a month, up to $1,800 |
Buildings with one or two residential units.
| Violation | Penalty per elevator |
|---|---|
| Cat 1, Cat 3 or Cat 5 report not filed | $1,000 |
| Report filed late | $50 a month, up to $600 |
| Failure to correct | $1,000 |
| Affirmation of correction filed late | $50 a month, up to $600 |
A report filed after its 21- or 14-day deadline, but before DOB NOW stops accepting it, is late. The late penalty runs monthly from the day after the deadline until the report is filed, up to the cap. It applies only if the owner can show the test took place in the period it was due, and is paid when the report is filed.
The rule and the DOB NOW FAQ say “per month”. DOB’s Jan 2022 notice says DOB NOW charges every 30-day period after the due date.
A report not filed by the last day DOB NOW accepts it is never filed. The owner pays the failure-to-file penalty, and a new test and report are needed; see late and expired filings.
For example, in a 3+ unit building, a Cat 1 tested in March and filed three months late costs $450 per elevator. A December test has only until Jan 21; after that the penalty is $3,000.
DOB says most failure-to-file violations “cannot be dismissed without payment of the full civil penalty. In addition, a current elevator inspection report must be on file to clear violation from prior years.” An owner who pays but doesn’t test also gets next year’s violation.
A waiver removes the penalty, but “does not result in dismissal of the underlying violation.” Request it in writing, with the filing fee and proof. The rule allows a waiver when:
The conditions for each are in subdivision (k) of the rule.
Separately from the filing penalties, a DOB inspector can issue a violation for a building device. DOB says the most common is “Failure to Maintain”, issued when defects are found during testing. The owner must correct the condition within 10 calendar days and notify DOB; owners who don’t “may be subject to criminal proceedings.”
Since Jun 10, 2026, New York State can fine unlicensed elevator work up to $10,000 per violation, or $20,000 for a repeat within three years. It is a state penalty under Labor Law Article 33, separate from the filing penalties above. See the NYS elevator contractor license guide.
In a commercial, mixed-use or 3+ unit residential building: $3,000 per elevator for a Cat 1 or periodic inspection report never filed, and $5,000 for a Cat 3 or Cat 5 report. In a 1–2 family home it’s $1,000 per elevator.
The owner, defined in the rule as anyone with a legal or equitable interest in, or control of, the premises or the elevator. Penalties are charged per elevator.
Not on its own. DOB says a current elevator inspection report must be on file to clear violations from prior years, so a new test is needed.
In specific cases, such as a new owner, a removed elevator or a demolished building. A waiver removes the penalty but not the violation.
$10,000 is New York State’s maximum penalty for unlicensed elevator work, since Jun 10, 2026. NYC’s filing penalties are at most $5,000 per elevator, for a missed Cat 3 or Cat 5 report.
LiftAuth’s Annual Inspections lists every elevator’s next due date, and shows under Needs attention any elevator missing a date or a witnessing agency (an Auditor in LiftAuth). Each Auditor books from your Team’s calendar through one link. The Building Manager, such as the owner or managing agent, sees upcoming visits and open Issues in the building manager apps and signs off completed work. LiftAuth does not file in DOB NOW or pay penalties.
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