Stairlifts in Maine: outside the elevator law, by definition

Mainers looking into a stairlift for an older farmhouse or a split-level in town often expect the state elevator program to be involved. Since 2003, Maine law has said otherwise: the definition of "elevator" in the Elevator and Tramway Safety chapter expressly leaves out an inclined stairway chairlift.

That shifts attention to two other things. One is local building rules, which in Maine depend partly on the size of your town. The other is winter, because a lift on an outside stair in Maine has to handle real cold and snow. Both are covered below, along with lifts to compare and help available through the state's assistive technology program.

What Title 32, Chapter 133 says about chairlifts

Maine's elevator law lives in Title 32, Chapter 133, "Elevator and Tramway Safety." Its definitions section, 32 M.R.S. §15202(5), reads: "'Elevator' includes an escalator or a manlift and means a guided hoisting and lowering mechanism equipped with a car, platform or load-carrying unit, including doors, well, enclosures, means and appurtenances. 'Elevator' does not include an inclined stairway chairlift, a conveyor, chain or bucket hoist or a tiering, piling or feeding device. For the purposes of this subsection, 'inclined stairway chairlift' means a mechanized chair apparatus running on a track or rail along the side of a staircase."

That matters because the chapter's main duties attach to elevators. §15213 says "A person may not service, repair, alter or install any elevator unless that person is licensed as an elevator or lift mechanic under this chapter," and §15221(2) requires that "The owner of an elevator shall have the elevator inspected annually." A chair that rides a rail along the side of a staircase falls outside the definition, so those elevator duties do not follow it.

Notice what the exclusion does not cover. A vertical platform lift, which raises a platform rather than carrying a chair along a stair, is not named in the exclusion and may fit the general definition of a "guided hoisting and lowering mechanism equipped with a car, platform or load-carrying unit." The chapter is administered by the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. If your project is a platform lift rather than a stair chair, ask the Department's elevator program before you order.

Your town's building code

Maine has one statewide building code, the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code, and town size decides who must enforce it. 10 M.R.S. §9724(1) says the code "must be enforced in a municipality that has more than 4,000 residents," while under subsection 1-A a smaller municipality "is not required to enforce, but may not adopt or enforce a building code other than" the state codes. If any wiring or structural work comes with your lift, the local code enforcement officer is the person to ask.

Cold, snow and nor'easters

NOAA's Maine climate summary describes "cold, snowy winters and mild summers." Winter averages range from 25°F in the far south to less than 15°F in the northern and interior parts of the state, and snowfall averages 40 to 80 inches across the interior, up to 100 inches at the northern tip. Nor'easters "cause more disruption than any other type of extreme weather," bringing snow, sleet or freezing rain, strong winds and coastal flooding.

For an outdoor lift, look closely at the maker's rated temperature range and compare it with the coldest nights where you live; a lift rated to 0°F may face colder air in northern Maine. Snow and ice need clearing from the rail and steps. Indoors, a lift with battery operation keeps working when a storm takes out the power.

Lifts suited to Maine homes

• Straight steps to a porch or ell. The Bruno Outdoor Elite SRE-2010E is designed for 0°F to 125°F, with an anodized aluminum rail, a covered gear rack and a light-weight cover. Up/down controls stop it when released.
• Outdoor stairs with a landing. The Bruno Elite Curve Outdoor CRE-2110E rides a rail handcrafted to the elevation and angles of your staircase and carries 400 lb.
• A tight indoor turn. Harmar's Helix uses a True-Curve rail bent for smoother turns, with a swivel seat for getting off at the top, and Harmar rates it for commercial and residential use.
• A narrow straight stair indoors. The Harmar Pinnacle SL300 folds to 11 in from the wall, and its product page says batteries allow up to 60 trips in a power outage. Its nylon gear rack needs no grease.

Some older houses have steep or narrow stairs, so measure the incline and the narrowest width before choosing; the SL300's listing gives an incline range of 27° to 52°.

Maine CITE: assistive technology for all Maine residents

The AT3 Center lists Maine CITE (Maine Consumer Information and Technology Training Exchange), at the University of Maine at Augusta, as the state program, with contacts for device loans, demonstrations and reuse. Maine CITE says "Our services are available to all Maine residents and no documentation of disability is required," and offers a way to borrow a device, request a demonstration and ask about funding.

Ordering and delivery to Maine

We work with a team of credentialed local specialists to guarantee timely, safe, and optimal delivery and installation. We ship to the lower 48 states and DC, with free shipping on orders over $500 and $15 under $500, and we cover the sales tax on every order. Most products are processed in 2-5 business days; some brands differ. See shipping to Maine or take the stairlift fit check.

Questions about stairlifts in Maine

Is a stairlift an elevator under Maine law?

No. 32 M.R.S. §15202(5) says "'Elevator' does not include an inclined stairway chairlift," defined as "a mechanized chair apparatus running on a track or rail along the side of a staircase." The exclusion came from a 2003 law, P.L. 2003, c. 292, noted in the statute's history.

Does a Maine stairlift need an annual state inspection?

The annual inspection duty in §15221 applies to "The owner of an elevator," and a stairway chairlift is excluded from the elevator definition. We found no separate state inspection rule for home chairlifts. A vertical platform lift is a different device and may be treated differently, so ask the state's elevator program about one.

Do I need a building permit for a stairlift in Maine?

That depends on your town. Under 10 M.R.S. §9724, the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code must be enforced in municipalities with more than 4,000 residents; smaller towns may enforce it but no other code. Ask your local code enforcement officer, particularly if electrical work is involved.

Will an outdoor stairlift work in a Maine winter?

Check the rated range against your local lows. The Bruno Outdoor Elite SRE-2010E is designed for 0°F to 125°F, and NOAA reports winter averages below 15°F in northern and interior Maine, with colder nights beyond that. Keep the rail and steps clear of snow and ice.

Can anyone in Maine use Maine CITE?

Maine CITE says its services "are available to all Maine residents and no documentation of disability is required." It offers device borrowing, demonstrations and help with funding questions, and also serves caregivers, family members and others looking for information on assistive technology.

Compare lifts in our stairlift collection, use the stairlift fit check, or take the full assessment. Questions? Email us at info@faithmobility.com.

Sources

• 32 M.R.S. §15202, definitions (Elevator and Tramway Safety)
• 32 M.R.S. §15213, elevator or lift mechanics; license
• 32 M.R.S. §15221, inspection of elevators and tramways
• 10 M.R.S. §9724, Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code application
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Summaries 2022: Maine
• Faith Mobility product page: Bruno Outdoor Elite SRE-2010E
• Faith Mobility product page: Bruno Elite Curve Outdoor CRE-2110E
• Faith Mobility product page: Harmar Helix Curved Stairlift
• Faith Mobility product page: Harmar Pinnacle SL300
• AT3 Center: State AT programs directory (Maine)
• Maine CITE