L&I Adopts Elevator Fee Increase & Other Changes

STATE OF WASHINGTON ELEVATOR FEE INCREASES 11/1!

Beginning November 1, 2025, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) will adopt a 6.41% fee increase impacting inspections and permits under the Elevator Program. Here is the message from the Elevator Chief, Gerald Brown, Field Services & Public Safety, Department of Labor & Industries which includes a list of chapter 296-96 Washington Administrative Code (WAC) affected:

Ownership change of your building?

  • If a change of ownership has occurred, it is the new owner's responsibility to ensure the department has the corrected information.

  • It’s easy to update your contact information with the CITY OF SEATTLE or STATE OF WA. This is important so that they have the correct information on file and you are more likely to receive timely notice of any updates or corrections needed.

Hello,

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) adopted a 6.41% fee increase covering inspections and other Elevator Program services.

The fee increase takes effect Nov. 1. See chapter 296-96 Washington Administrative Code (WAC) or a complete list at the bottom of this message.

Additional rule changes are adopted to reorganize and consolidate the permit and inspection fees. The changes simplify the rules and make the fees easier to locate.

About the fee increase

The fee increase covers operating expenses for the program. The amount of the increase is the state Office of Financial Management’s maximum allowable fiscal growth factor (average personal income growth over the past decade) for fiscal year 2026.

 The agency filed a Rulemaking Order (CR-103) to adopt the changes on Sept. 30, 2025. More information is available on the agency’s rulemaking website, or from the Elevator Program website.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at ElevatorSect@Lni.wa.gov.

Thank you,

Gerald Brown

Elevator Chief, Field Services & Public Safety

Department of Labor & Industries

List of affected WACs:

Sarah Waterman

Sarah has been in the customer service business for over 25 years, first in Property Management, then transitioning into the Elevator industry, where she held the position of General Manager at Seattle's largest, most reputable independent company, followed by Branch Manager & Senior Sales Manager at one of the OEM majors.

However, her shared values & trust with the Founder, Jason, whom she worked with for nearly 10 years in the trade, plus her authentic desire to bring a breath of fresh air into the industry, compelled her to join Washington Elevator as a Partner in July of 2022. Sarah strives to provide a positive customer experience in order to build a long-term partnership.

When she isn't leading the team, she loves spending time with her two amazing teenagers, crabbing on Whidbey Island, but on a good night, her favorite activity is beating her husband in a game of cribbage!

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