(a) All new conveyance installations shall be performed by a sole proprietor, firm, or corporation to which a license to install or service conveyances has been issued. Subsequent to installation, the licensed sole proprietor, firm, or corporation must certify compliance with the applicable sections of this chapter. Prior to any conveyance being used, the property owner or lessee must obtain a certificate of operation from the administrator. A fee as set forth in this chapter shall be paid for the certificate of operation. It shall be the responsibility of the licensed elevator contractor to complete and submit first-time registrations for new installations. The certificate of operation fee for newly installed elevators, platform lifts, and stairway chairlifts for private residences shall be subsequent to an inspection by a licensed third party inspection firm.

(b) The certificate of operation fee for all new and existing stairway chairlifts for private residences and any renewal fees shall be waived. The administrator, or his or her designee, shall inspect, in accordance with the requirements set forth in this chapter, all newly installed elevators, platform lifts, and stairway chairlifts for private residences. For newly installed residential elevators and residential elevators in locations other than private residences, the inspector shall note on the inspection report compliance with the applicable codes governing protection of hoistway openings, commonly known as the 3x5 rule.

(c) A certificate of operation is renewable annually. The administrator may require any conveyance out of compliance with this chapter to be placed out of service until it is reinspected and found to be in compliance. In addition, a private residence owner may request an annual inspection at his or her discretion. Certificates of operation must be clearly displayed on or in each conveyance.

(d) No county, municipality, or other political subdivision shall have the power to make any laws, ordinances, or resolutions providing for the construction, installation, inspection, maintenance, and repair of elevators and conveyances within the limits of the county, municipality, or other political subdivision.