The Arlington County Permit Office is CLOSED for in-person customer service. Many services are available online. Learn more.
An Elevator Permit is required for the installation and alteration of elevators, cranes, escalators, and material or personnel hoists. If you are unsure whether a permit is required, contact the Inspection Services Division by email or phone: 703-228-3232.
Elevator Permit applications must be submitted online via ePlan.
Submission Requirements
- Review ePlan online submission guidelines, which include document sizing and layout, standard file naming conventions, and file type requirements.
- Based on the permit holder and applicant for your project, you may be required to upload a Permit Authorization Affidavit.
- If there is an associated Building Permit, you will need to provide the permit number. The Building Permit must be issued prior to the submission of the Elevator Permit.
- Some residential properties are considered commercial per the Building Code and therefore may require a Commercial Building Permit. Determine whether your project is considered residential or commercial.
- Contractor permit holders should use the contractor company name, not an individual’s name.
- New installations require the submission of Registered Design Professional (RDP)- or Professional Engineer (PE)-stamped drawings showing equipment layouts, shafts, pits, and elevator machine rooms.
- Modernizations or alterations/upgrades (non like-for-like replacements) that include structural changes; major modernizations where machines, motors, etc. are being replaced; or changing from overhead machines to MRL installations require PE-stamped drawings. Non-structural drawings do not require PE stamps. Please include specifications (cut) sheets for all items relative to the scope of work.
- Like-for-like repairs require the submission of specifications (cut) sheets for all parts being replaced and/or for materials used for all items relative to the scope of work.
- Maintenance agreement repairs that fall under a maintenance agreement require the submission of a copy of the fully executed agreement.
- Fully executed contracts (signed by all parties) must include a Statement of Work pertaining to the scope of work and a cost proposal/total contract cost relative to the scope and specific to conveyance systems.
- Abbreviated contracts are acceptable; however, they must include a cover page (contractual parties), scope of work, cost proposal, and signature page(s).
Application Process
Scheduling Inspections
Once your permits have been approved, you must schedule inspections to ensure the safety and proper progress of the project.
All elevators must also be inspected on a yearly basis. You must contact the National Elevator Inspection Services (NEIS) to schedule an elevator inspection: 888-357-7020.
Fees
Fee schedules provide the range of fees charged for each type of application or activity related to land development in Arlington. Fees cover permitting, plan review, enforcement, inspection, service delivery, performance agreements, and conditions. There are separate fee schedules for Inspection Services Division (ISD), Zoning, and the Department of Environmental Services (DES). Some permits involve fees from more than one schedule.