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Elevator / Dumbwaiter / Lift Certificate of Inspection: Washington, D.C. restaurant guide

Department of Buildings (DOB)

What it is

Any elevator, dumbwaiter, escalator or wheelchair lift serving your space needs a current DOB certificate, kept up through annual Periodic/Category 1 inspections and a Category 5 test every 60 months, all performed by ASME-certified third-party inspectors (QEI) on DOB's behalf.

When a restaurant needs it

If your space uses an elevator or dumbwaiter (for example a basement kitchen or a multi-floor building), or you install or alter one.

How to apply

Confirm the certificate with the landlord; for a new or altered unit the elevator contractor files the elevator permit on Citizen Access and a QEI performs the acceptance inspection before use.

Documents you’ll need

Fee
Certificate fees include the 10% surcharge: passenger or powered freight elevator $259.60; wheelchair lift $233.20; hand-driven dumbwaiter $159.50. New elevator permit $93.50; repair/alteration permit 1.1% of construction cost
Processing time
Varies
Renewal
Certificates valid two years; inspections annually, Category 5 every 60 months
Who files
Elevator contractor and QEI inspector; owner/landlord keeps the certificate.

Good to know

In a leased space the landlord usually holds the certificate, but DOB can shut down a dumbwaiter your kitchen depends on if it lapses, so check the date before you sign.

Official source

DOB: elevator inspections and certificates · DOB third-party elevator inspector directory

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Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.