The original comment was almost certainly about zoning regulations, not safety regulations. Obviously inspecting elevators so people don't plunge to their deaths is something we know how to do.
Yes, I was a being tongue-in-cheek at the expense of clarity. The elevator, in combination with advances in building materials and engineering, allows for construction of high-rise condominiums. These lower the cost of housing by improving the efficiency of land use. Regulation prevents this technology from being used in many of the areas where it is needed most.