Elevator Service in Houston, TX | AmeriTex Elevator

By the AmeriTex Elevator Team

Texas building owners carry significant legal responsibility for elevator compliance. Whether a property sits inside Houston city limits or in Dallas, understanding the correct regulatory authority, posting requirements, and annual inspection deadlines is essential to keeping equipment legally operational and passengers safe. AmeriTex Elevator provides certified elevator services across Texas, helping building owners navigate these requirements with confidence.

Who Regulates Elevators in Houston vs. Dallas in 2026?

The regulatory framework differs depending on the city.

In Dallas and most Texas cities, the governing body is the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Elevator and Escalator Safety program. TDLR administers the state elevator program under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 754 and 16 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 74. The adopted equipment standard is the ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, 2016 edition, as amended by 16 TAC §74.100(b), effective November 1, 2018.

In Houston, TDLR does not regulate elevators or escalators inside city limits. The City of Houston operates its own municipal elevator inspection program. Building owners and contractors in Houston should direct compliance questions to the City of Houston’s responsible department. AmeriTex Elevator works within Houston’s local program requirements and can guide property owners through the correct process for their jurisdiction.

What Are the Annual Inspection Requirements in Texas?

For properties subject to TDLR oversight — which includes Dallas and the broader Texas market outside Houston — the following requirements apply:

• Texas building owners must have elevators, escalators, and related equipment inspected annually by a TDLR-registered elevator inspector.
• The building owner holds the sole right to select the elevator inspector.
• The registered inspector must deliver the inspection report to the owner within five calendar days of the inspection date.
• Following a successful inspection, the owner must obtain a TDLR Certificate of Compliance for each unit of equipment.
• Each Certificate of Compliance is valid for one year.
• Texas elevator contractors and inspector registrations also expire one year after issuance.

Because TDLR does not govern Houston’s elevators, owners of Houston properties should contact the City of Houston directly to confirm the inspection frequency and inspector qualification requirements under the city’s program. AmeriTex Elevator supports clients in both regulatory environments.

Where Must the Elevator Certificate of Compliance Be Posted?

For properties subject to TDLR requirements, Texas law requires that the Certificate of Compliance be displayed in a publicly visible area of the building. The certificate must be current — renewed annually following a satisfactory inspection.

Failure to display a valid certificate, or operating an elevator with an expired certificate, places the building owner in violation of Texas elevator law. AmeriTex Elevator assists owners in tracking certificate expiration dates and coordinating timely reinspections to prevent lapses in compliance.

What Happens if Violations Are Found During an Inspection?

Under Texas law, building owners have a defined timeline and process for addressing deficiencies cited during an inspection:

1. Receive the inspection report. The TDLR-registered inspector must provide the written report within five calendar days of the inspection.
2. Act within 30 days. Texas owners must have cited violations corrected, or have a correction under contract, within 30 days of the inspection date.
3. Apply for a waiver or delay if needed. If corrections cannot be completed within 30 days, the owner must obtain a waiver or delay authorization from TDLR.
4. Address immediate removal-from-service conditions. Certain deficiencies require the elevator to be removed from service immediately — no grace period applies. In Texas, a passenger elevator without working door restrictors must be taken out of service immediately. Likewise, a passenger elevator without firefighters’ service, or with non-working Phase One firefighters’ service, must be removed from service immediately.
5. Report accidents promptly. Texas building owners must report any accident involving elevator equipment to TDLR within 24 hours of the incident.

AmeriTex Elevator helps building owners respond to violation reports, prioritize repairs, and document corrective actions — reducing exposure to penalties and unplanned downtime.

What Is the Category 5 Testing Requirement for Texas Elevators?

Beyond the annual inspection, Texas requires a Category 5 full-load test every five years on electric (traction) elevators. This test verifies the performance of the elevator’s braking system under full load conditions and is a distinct obligation from the annual Certificate of Compliance inspection.

Building owners should track Category 5 test due dates separately from annual inspection cycles. AmeriTex Elevator coordinates this testing to ensure equipment meets the requirements under the ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators as adopted by Texas.

Who Is Qualified to Perform Elevator Work in Texas?

Texas law restricts who may perform elevator work on regulated equipment:

• A person may not install, repair, alter, test, or maintain elevator equipment without being registered as a contractor with TDLR.
• Texas elevator contractors must carry general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury or death and $500,000 per occurrence for property damage.
• Each Texas elevator contractor must designate one or two responsible parties with at least three years of elevator contractor experience.
• Before installing an elevator or escalator in Texas, the registered contractor must submit plans to TDLR and obtain approval.
• Texas elevator contractor registrations expire one year after issuance.

AmeriTex Elevator is a registered elevator contractor serving the Texas market, maintaining the insurance, qualifications, and registrations required under Texas law.

Does Texas Elevator Law Apply to All Buildings in Houston and Dallas?

Texas elevator law includes specific applicability boundaries that building owners should understand:

• The Texas elevator law does not apply to equipment in buildings owned and operated by the federal government.
• TDLR does not regulate elevators in single-family dwellings, with one exception: state law requires an inspection by a TDLR-registered inspector after installation in a single-family home.
• As noted above, the City of Houston operates its own program — TDLR requirements do not govern elevators within Houston city limits.

Owners who are uncertain whether their property falls under TDLR jurisdiction or under the City of Houston’s municipal program should confirm their regulatory authority before scheduling an inspection or engaging a contractor.

What Should Building Owners Do to Stay Compliant Year-Round?

Maintaining elevator compliance in Houston and Dallas is an ongoing process, not a single annual event. Best practices include:

1. Track inspection and certificate expiration dates. The Certificate of Compliance is valid for one year. Allow lead time to schedule reinspection before the current certificate expires.
2. Select a qualified inspector proactively. In Texas, the building owner selects the inspector. Engage a TDLR-registered inspector in advance rather than waiting until the expiration date approaches.
3. Document all maintenance and repairs. Maintaining clear service records supports the inspection process and demonstrates corrective action if violations arise.
4. Schedule Category 5 testing in advance. Plan for the five-year full-load test on traction elevators well ahead of the due date to avoid compliance gaps.
5. Respond immediately to removal-from-service conditions. Do not delay if an inspector identifies door restrictor, firefighters’ service, or other conditions requiring immediate removal from service.
6. Report accidents to TDLR within 24 hours. Ensure building management staff know this obligation and have the TDLR contact information readily accessible.
7. Work with a registered elevator contractor. Engaging a TDLR-registered contractor for maintenance, repairs, and alterations keeps the equipment compliant and the owner protected.

How Does AmeriTex Elevator Support Houston and Dallas Building Owners?

AmeriTex Elevator brings dedicated expertise in Texas elevator compliance to building owners throughout Houston, Dallas, and the surrounding markets. The team understands the distinct regulatory environments of the City of Houston’s municipal program and the TDLR-governed requirements in Dallas and across the broader Texas market.

Services include compliance assessments, maintenance agreements, violation correction, Category 5 testing coordination, and support through the inspection and certificate renewal process. AmeriTex Elevator works with commercial property managers, healthcare facilities, residential high-rises, and other building types to keep elevator equipment safe, legally compliant, and performing reliably. When urgent equipment issues arise, AmeriTex Elevator provides responsive service to minimize disruption and protect building occupants.

For federal accessibility requirements applicable across all commercial properties, AmeriTex Elevator also helps clients understand obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and workplace safety considerations under OSHA.

Schedule a Free Consultation

AmeriTex Elevator is ready to help Houston and Dallas building owners understand their certificate posting requirements, annual inspection deadlines, and full compliance obligations. Contact the team today to get started.

Call AmeriTex Elevator: 866-679-4313

Or reach out online to schedule a free consultation with the AmeriTex Elevator team. Whether a property is subject to the City of Houston’s municipal program or TDLR oversight in Dallas, AmeriTex Elevator provides the local knowledge and certified expertise to keep equipment compliant in 2026 and beyond.