Canada and the United States have the fewest elevators per capita in the developed world, and costs are wildly more expensive than abroad. Installation costs are three times higher than abroad and ongoing annual maintenance is 10 higher than Europe. As a result, developers often try to avoid installing elevators if they don’t have to. However, there’s a genuine need in taller buildings for elevators to serve residents who are disabled, have young children, or who simply don’t have the energy to trudge up and down stairs.
In this video, Uytae Lee of About Here teamed up with Sightline Institute to talk about North America’s elevator problem. Lee discusses in depth how North American regulations are a significant driver for elevator costs and may be ripe for serious reform to make elevators affordable and desirable to install in smaller residential buildings. While the effort came up short in the Washington State Legislature’s 2025 session, a reform bill is back in 2026.
Stephen is a professional urban planner in Puget Sound with a passion for sustainable, livable, and diverse cities. He is especially interested in how policies, regulations, and programs can promote positive outcomes for communities. With stints in great cities like Bellingham and Cork, Stephen currently lives in Seattle. He primarily covers land use and transportation issues and has been with The Urbanist since 2014.