Minneapolis, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 12 § 244.130
Inspections required; powers (Minneapolis Housing Code)
Operative Text
Pursuant to provisions of this Code of Ordinances, as set forth herein, the director of regulatory services shall make inspections to determine the condition of dwellings, dwelling units, shared bath dwellings, shared bath units, rooming units, sleeping rooms, hotel units, and premises located within the city for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of the housing maintenance code. The director of regulatory services or the director's designee, may enter, examine and survey at all reasonable times all dwellings, dwelling units, rooming units, hotel units, lodging units, lodging establishments, and premises after obtaining consent from an occupant of the premises. In the event that an occupant of the premises does not consent to entry by the director of regulatory services or the director's designee, and if there is probable cause to believe that an inspection is warranted, then application may be made to the court for an administrative or other search warrant for the purpose of inspecting the premises. No person shall refuse entrance or impede the commissioner of health, director of regulatory services, chief of the fire department, or the chief of police, or designated representative, in the performance of emergency duties and in case of emergency every such inspector or officer shall have the right to enter, examine and survey all premises, grounds, erections, structures, dwellings and buildings and every part thereof in the city at all times. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 67.020; Pet. No. 252271, § 10, 5-11-90; 97-Or-056, § 1, 6-27-97; 2006-Or-073, § 3, 6-30-06; 2013-Or-161, § 5, 12-6-13)
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.130 establishes the authority of the city's Director of Regulatory Services to inspect residential properties — including dwellings, rooming units, hotel units, and related premises — to ensure compliance with the housing maintenance code. Inspections generally require the occupant's consent, but if consent is refused and probable cause exists, city officials may seek an administrative or judicial search warrant. In genuine emergencies, authorized inspectors and officers — including the fire chief and police chief — may enter any premises at any time without prior consent, and no person may obstruct them in carrying out those emergency duties.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 244.130, compliant property operators in Minneapolis generally cooperate with scheduled inspections by the Director of Regulatory Services or a designated representative at reasonable times. When an occupant withholds consent, the city has a legal pathway to obtain a court-issued administrative search warrant, so refusing access does not permanently prevent an inspection. Operators who understand this framework typically maintain properties in code-compliant condition and keep records of any inspection notices or correspondence with the city's regulatory services office.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 244.130 of the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances gives occupants a meaningful role in the inspection process: city inspectors ordinarily must obtain your consent before entering your unit for a routine housing maintenance inspection. If you withhold consent, the city must demonstrate probable cause and seek a court-issued warrant before proceeding — a procedural protection worth understanding. Tenants who have questions about their rights during an inspection, or who believe an inspection was conducted improperly, can contact the Minneapolis Department of Regulatory Services directly or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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