Ithaca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 210 § 210-76
Inspection
Operative Text
A. Inspectors shall be authorized and shall have the right, in the performance of their duties, to enter any premises during normal business hours and in emergencies whenever necessary to protect the public interest. B. Owners, agents, operators and occupants shall be responsible for providing access to all parts of the premises within their control to authorized agency personnel acting in the performance of their duties. In the event of refusal or failure to provide such access as herein provided, a warrant may be issued by the City Judge and/or an appearance ticket may be issued by the office of the Director of Planning and Development or designee.
Section 210-76 of Ithaca's Code of Ordinances, Chapter 210, establishes the conditions under which city inspectors may enter rental or other premises. Inspectors are permitted to enter during normal business hours or in emergencies when the public interest requires it. When access is denied or not provided, the provision allows a City Judge to issue a warrant, and the Director of Planning and Development's office may issue an appearance ticket.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 210-76, property owners, agents, and operators are expected to provide city inspectors with access to all parts of the premises they control during scheduled or emergency inspections. Compliant operators typically respond promptly to inspection requests and ensure that all areas—including units, common spaces, and mechanical rooms—are accessible to authorized agency personnel. Refusing or failing to provide access can result in a court-issued warrant or an appearance ticket from the Director of Planning and Development's office.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 210-76 places a responsibility on occupants, as well as owners and operators, to allow authorized city inspectors access to the parts of the premises within their control. Tenants who have questions about their rights during an inspection, or who are concerned about how this provision is being applied, may wish to consult a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance. If access is refused by any party, the provision provides a legal mechanism—including a potential warrant—that the city may use to proceed with the inspection.
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 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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