MOHURD: New standards mandate the installation of elevators in residential buildings of four stories

On September 18, the State Council Information Office held a press conference as part of a series themed "Getting Off to a Good Start for the 15th Five-Year Plan," outlining efforts to promote high-quality development in housing and urban-rural construction during the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan period. Chen Shaowang, spokesperson and Vice Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, stated that to meet the public's evolving demands for housing quality, the Ministry will comprehensively upgrade residential construction standards across the entire value chain—focusing on superior standards, design, materials, construction techniques, and operations and maintenance.

Regarding the standards for "good housing," Chen noted that the Ministry is raising quality requirements in several areas. To address the difficulty elderly residents face in navigating stairs, the new standards mandate the installation of elevators in residential buildings of four stories or higher. Additionally, the standard for ceiling height has been raised from the previous 2.8 meters to 3 meters. To enhance safety for children, the new standards also require that guardrails on balconies, open corridors, and other elevated edges be raised to a minimum height of 1.2 meters.

These announcements have sparked public interest in elevator provision and overall housing quality. Historically, the inclusion of elevators in multi-story residential buildings depended on factors such as the building's age, original construction standards, and specific project conditions. However, with the aging population and growing demand for barrier-free accessibility, the ease with which the elderly, children, and individuals with limited mobility can move between floors has become a key indicator of housing quality.

From a policy perspective, promoting elevator installation primarily improves residents' daily mobility. For those living on higher floors, elevators reduce the time and physical exertion required to go up and down; for the elderly, they enhance convenience, making it easier for residents on upper floors to access medical care, go shopping, commute to work, and participate in community activities.

It is important to clarify that the requirement for elevators in buildings of four stories or higher refers to the new standards announced at the press conference; it should not be interpreted as a mandate requiring the immediate, uniform installation of elevators in all existing older buildings of four stories or more across the country. The retrofitting of elevators in existing buildings continues to be implemented based on local policies, building conditions, resident feedback, funding arrangements, and planning approvals.

In fact, the retrofitting of elevators in existing residential buildings is already underway in many regions. For instance, the *Implementation Plan for Intensifying the Installation of Elevators in Existing Residential Buildings (2026–2030)*, issued by Jilin Province, specifies that existing multi-story residential buildings with four or more floors—provided they have clear ownership and are not slated for demolition or redevelopment—are eligible for elevator installation, subject to safety assessments confirming that the building structure and fire safety measures meet required standards.

Installing elevators in existing residential buildings also entails issues such as reaching a consensus among homeowners, raising funds, arranging for long-term maintenance, and managing the use of common areas. Relevant policies generally need to be implemented with due regard for specific local circumstances. Taking elevator installation regulations as an example, homeowners must negotiate matters such as the installation plan, funding, maintenance, and the balancing of interests, while also adhering to established procedures.

Consequently, the evolving requirements for elevator provision in residential construction reflect a shift in housing development philosophies. While the focus used to be on floor area, layout, and location, there is now increasing demand for safety, comfort, age-friendliness, accessibility, and smart features.

The new standards introduced by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD) send a clear signal: the construction of "quality homes" in the future must go beyond mere structural integrity. It requires a systematic enhancement of accessibility, safety, comfort, and the long-term living experience, all grounded in the actual needs of residents.

As housing and urban-rural development efforts progress during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, continued attention will likely be focused on areas such as residential construction standards, urban renewal, and the renovation of existing housing. For homebuyers, factors such as the presence of elevators, the rational design of public spaces, and the inclusion of age-friendly and accessible features—alongside traditional considerations like floor area, price, and location—are likely to become key benchmarks for assessing living quality.

Overall, the information released by MOHURD marks a significant step forward in refining my country's residential construction standards. The requirement that "elevators be installed in residential buildings of four stories or higher" was a focal point of the announcement; the underlying objective is to elevate construction standards, thereby creating safer, more comfortable, and more convenient homes that better meet the living needs of people across all age groups.

MOHURD: New standards mandate elevator installation in residential buildings of four stories or higher, marking an upgrade in housing construction standards.