Mankato, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 7 § 7-109

The city manager, or designee, is hereby authorized and directed to enforce all of the provisions of this chapter. For such purposes, they shall be known and appointed as city inspectors having the authority to issue notices of violation, issue criminal citations for violations of this chapter, issue administrative penalties for violations of this chapter, issue orders for occupants to vacate a dwelling unit found to be in violation of this chapter, and order suspension of city services for properties found to be in violation of this chapter. (1)
Owners and occupants of dwelling units that are found to be in violation of this chapter shall be issued a notice and order. The notice and order shall contain:
a. The street address or a legal description sufficient for identification of the premises upon which the building is located.
b. A statement that the city manager, or their designee, has found the building to be in violation of this chapter with a brief and concise description of the violations.
c. A statement identifying what steps shall be taken to bring the property into compliance with this chapter.
d. A statement that the dwelling unit must be vacated within 30 days from the date of the order if the property is not brought into compliance or vacated within 30 days from the date of the notice and order that the city manager or designee:
1. May impose administrative penalties as established pursuant to section 2-74 and by the city council;
2. May charge the owner, agent, or occupants with a criminal violation;
3. May suspend or terminate city utility services to the property to the extent allowed under state law; and
4. May proceed to cause the work to be done and charge the costs thereof against the property or its owner.
(2) The notice and order may be served by personal service or United States Postal Service to the owner or agent as determined by county land records. Occupants may be served by personal service of United States Postal Service to at least one occupant of the dwelling unit. If the owners or occupants refuse personal service or mailed service through the United States Postal Service, the notice and order may be posted on the property.
(3) Right of entry. When it is necessary to make an inspection to enforce the provisions of this chapter, or when the city manager or designee has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in a building or upon a premises a condition which is contrary to or in violation of this chapter, they may enter the building or premises at reasonable times to inspect or to perform the duties imposed by this chapter, provided that, if such building or premises is occupied, credentials be presented to the occupant and entry requested. If such building or premises is unoccupied, they shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person having charge or control of the building or premises and request entry. If entry is refused, the city inspectors shall resort to the remedies provided by law to secure entry.
a. When scheduling rental licensing inspections pursuant to this Code, the city manager or their designee will seek the consent of the owner of the property (if not already received) to inspect those areas outside of dwelling units rental that are not accessible to the general public (such as storage or mechanical rooms) and to unrented dwelling units, and the consent of the primary tenant of the rental dwelling unit (if not already received) to inspect that unit. If the property owner demonstrates to the satisfaction of the city manager or designee that one or more tenants have consented in writing to the inspection of their units, individual contacts by the city with those tenants may be deemed unnecessary.
b. If the city is unsuccessful in securing consent for an inspection pursuant to this section, the city shall seek permission, from a judicial officer through an administrative warrant, for its enforcement officer or his or her agents to conduct an inspection. Nothing in this chapter shall limit or constrain the authority of the judicial officer to condition or limit the scope of the administrative warrant.
c. The scope of a licensing inspection shall be limited to what is necessary to determine, in accordance with this section, whether the unit and its premises conform to this Code. This shall not preclude the city manager or their designee from relying upon observations from a licensing inspection in seeking one or more of the remedies provided in chapter 2, article III, or chapter 5.
d. A licensing inspection must be scheduled during ordinary business hours (or as otherwise arranged with the owner or tenant). Owners and their agents, and tenants, may, at their option, request that licensing inspections take place only when they are present, so long as the request identifies at least one date or time within the two weeks following the date of the request when the requesting party agrees to be present.
e. The information regarding the condition of the unit or its occupants that inspectors retain after recording it in any inspection logs or forms shall be limited to descriptions of conditions constituting a violation of the applicable Code provision. Inspectors may record a list of conditions that the landlord or tenant is encouraged to repair or change, but which do not constitute a violation of this Code, and provide the list to the landlord or tenant.
f. Refusal to reasonably grant access may result in administrative penalties set forth in this section or be grounds for rejection or suspension of a rental license subject to the applicable appeal process.
g. The city manager or their designee may enter, without permission, if a public safety emergency exist.
(4) Administrative penalties for failure to allow inspection. The city council shall establish administrative penalties for intentional failure, or failure without good cause, to appear for scheduled rental inspections or reinspections or for intentional avoidance or delay in scheduling inspections when requested. Administrative penalties may also be imposed for failure to correct code violations after proper notice. Administrative fees shall be assessed in accordance with a schedule approved by the city council. Administrative penalties are in addition to any criminal charges and/or fines. Appeals of any order or administrative penalty shall be handled as outlined in the administrative hearing procedures.
(5) Confidentiality of complainant's names. The identities of any person filing a complaint about violations of state law or local ordinance concerning the use of real property, and any information that would identify such person, is classified as confidential under M.S.A. § 13.44. No employee or agent of the city shall release or reveal such information except by court order.
(6) Penalty for retaliation against complainant. It is a misdemeanor for any person to take retaliatory action against, harass or intimidate any person who makes a good faith complaint against real property within the city.
(7) Penalty for filing false or malicious complaint. It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to file a false or malicious complaint of violations of state law or local ordinance concerning the use of real property.