Division of Hotels and Restaurants

This page contains helpful information about elevator permits. To apply for an elevator-related license using a paper application, please click this APPLY link.

Applying for

Elevator Permits

Florida law requires every registered elevator company to have a permit issued by the Bureau of Elevator Safety before installing, altering, or relocating any type of vertical conveyance licensed by the bureau. Conveyances located in and serving only one family residence are not regulated by the bureau and do not require a permit from the bureau. Only Registered Elevator Companies can apply for permits. Permits are not issued to owners or operators of vertical conveyances.

Florida law requires all vertical conveyances available for public use, including elevators, escalators, moving walks, dumbwaiters, material lifts, and chair lifts, to have a Certificate of Operation from the bureau before beginning operation. The bureau does not license conveyances in private residences.

If your elevator operations are within one of the bureau's contracted jurisdictions, please contact the appropriate jurisdiction for permits, licensing, inspections, and other services provided.

Additional information on the types of conveyances permitted and licensed by the bureau is available in Chapter 399, Florida Statutes. Additional information on licensing an elevator is available on our Frequently Asked Questions website.

Before the bureau may issue a permit to install, alter or relocate, the Registered Elevator Company must perform the following:

1. Construction Plans and Drawings

Obtain and review the construction plans for compliance with Chapter 399, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 30, Florida Building Code, including applicable NFPA and NEC standards. You will be required to affirm to the bureau that the plans are in compliance with the laws and codes. Plans and drawings are NOT submitted to the bureau.

2. Application

Obtain and complete the appropriate application form. A separate permit application is required for each conveyance.

3. Affidavit

Obtain and complete the Affidavit of Elevator Code Compliance. This affidavit is included with all elevator permit application forms on our website. The affidavit must be signed by a qualified agent employed by the elevator company applying for the permit.

4. Permit Fee

Permit fees are based upon the type of permit application.

5. Submit Application and Fees

Send the completed permit application, all required documentation, and the appropriate fee to:

Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Division of Hotels and Restaurants
Bureau of Elevator Safety
1940 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0783

Most applications are processed within two weeks, but for planning purposes please allow 3-4 weeks for processing.

6. Inspection upon completion of work

All vertical conveyances, except in private residences, must pass an initial inspection prior to public use. The inspection must be conducted by a certified elevator inspector not associated with or employed by the registered elevator company or the elevator owner. The elevator company installing the elevator is responsible for tests, inspections and correction of any violations until a Certificate of Operation is issued by the bureau.