Saint Paul, Minn., Legis. Code ch. 34 § 34.19
Inspections
Operative Text
Enforcement officers shall be authorized to make or cause to be made inspections to determine the condition of buildings, dwelling units, guest rooms, habitable rooms, premises, residential structures, rooming houses, rooming units, commercial structures and other structures or premises at any reasonable time in order to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of the public and to perform their duties under this chapter. Access during reasonable times shall not be denied by any owner, occupant or other person in charge of the premises. The enforcement officer may obtain a search warrant where probable cause exists to believe that the premises are in violation of this chapter. Provided, however, that no search warrant is needed for entry where an emergency condition exists and sufficient time to obtain a warrant is unavailable.
Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 34 § 34.19 authorizes city enforcement officers to inspect residential and commercial properties at reasonable times to assess building conditions and protect public health, safety, and welfare. Property owners, occupants, and others in charge of a premises are not permitted to deny access during those reasonable times. When probable cause exists that a violation is present, officers may obtain a search warrant; in genuine emergencies where there is no time to secure a warrant, warrantless entry is permitted.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 34 § 34.19, compliant property operators generally cooperate with scheduled or announced inspections conducted at reasonable hours by city enforcement officers. Denying access to an authorized inspector is itself a violation of this provision, so operators typically ensure that relevant parties—such as on-site managers or tenants—are aware that inspections must be accommodated. Maintaining properties in good repair reduces the likelihood that an officer will seek a search warrant based on probable cause of a code violation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 34 § 34.19 establishes that inspections must occur at reasonable times, which provides occupants a degree of protection against arbitrary or unreasonably timed entry by enforcement officers. Tenants who believe an inspection was conducted improperly—for example, at an unreasonable hour or without proper authority—may raise that concern as part of any resulting enforcement proceeding. Tenant-rights organizations in Saint Paul can help occupants understand how this provision interacts with other notice and entry rights under local and state law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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