Home Elevators in Florida

No. Florida's elevator safety law leaves out elevators in private homes, so the state does not need to inspect or certify yours before you use it. The law counts a private home as a house or apartment lived in by one family. You still need a local building permit from your county or city, and your licensed contractor handles it for you. Ask us how it works in your county.

No, Florida does not let homeowners pull their own permit for elevator work in their home. The licensed contractor files it with your county or city building department. That works in your favor: the person who knows the elevator also handles the drawings and any questions from the county. Most counties typically review these permits within a couple of weeks, though each county sets its own details. Your dealer will tell you what yours asks for.

Yes, in many cases you can, with a little more paperwork. Florida has flood rules for elevators in flood hazard areas, and homes in VE or AE zones may need a floodplain permit on top of the building permit. A PVE elevator suits these homes because in standard installations it rests on your floor, with no pit dug below it. Your dealer will check your flood zone during the visit and plan the permits with you.

If a storm cuts the power while you are riding, the elevator brings you down to the lowest floor at a safe speed and the door unlocks. You are not left waiting between floors while the lights are out. That matters in a state where one hurricane can leave hundreds of thousands of customers without power. Many families also ask about the optional solar panel package, and your dealer can explain how it would work in your home.

No, in most homes you do not lose a room. A PVE elevator is self-supporting, so it stands on your existing floor, and there is no separate machine room to find space for. The main work is a neat opening through the floor above. Some Florida counties ask for an engineer's letter if that opening goes through a load-bearing floor. A dealer visit confirms the best spot in your home, since every house is different.

Yes, the PVE52 is the one to look at. It is our three-passenger model and the only one we market as wheelchair accessible, with room for a rider and someone to help. It is not ADA compliant, and not every wheelchair fits, so we ask you to ride a PVE52 at an authorized dealer first. With so many Florida families caring for a parent at home, that test ride is well worth the trip.

Not if it was permitted. Florida law asks sellers to disclose known unpermitted work, and that includes an elevator put in without a permit. When your licensed contractor files the local permit, your paperwork is in order from day one. Buyers can then see the elevator as a feature of the home, not a question mark. Keep your permit and service records together, so they are easy to share when the time comes.

Yes. PVE works through authorized dealers, and every one of them trains at our facility in Miami, where each elevator is assembled and factory-tested. Your dealer sets your service schedule, which includes an inspection at least every 6 months. The elevator is low maintenance and uses no harmful oils, so the visits are simple. Ask about service when you request your quote, so you know who to call from the very start.