Oneida, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 77 § 77-21
Access to premises for inspections
Operative Text
Access to all parts of any dwelling, dwelling unit and premises shall be provided by the owner, operator, agent or occupant thereof to personnel authorized in § 77-20 for the purpose of making such inspections at any reasonable time during business hours or at such other times as may be necessary in an emergency. Whenever the Chief Officer shall have cause to suspect that a condition exists on the premises that is detrimental or injurious to the health, safety or welfare of the public or the occupants thereof, he may demand entry regardless of the consent of the owner or occupant and if the owner or occupant shall refuse or delay in opening said premises for a full and free inspection, he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor for each and every refusal and the Chief Officer may adopt such other means to enforce entry as may be available under law.
Section 77-21 of Oneida's Code of Ordinances establishes that authorized housing inspection personnel must be given access to dwellings, dwelling units, and their premises during reasonable business hours or in emergencies. When the Chief Officer has cause to believe a condition on the property threatens public health, safety, or welfare, entry may be demanded without the consent of the owner or occupant. Refusing or delaying such an inspection constitutes a misdemeanor offense for each instance of refusal, and the Chief Officer may pursue additional legal means to compel entry.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 77-21, compliant property owners, operators, and agents generally ensure that authorized inspection personnel can access all parts of a dwelling and its premises during normal business hours without obstruction. When the Chief Officer identifies a potential health, safety, or welfare concern, operators are expected to cooperate with entry demands even absent explicit consent. Refusing or delaying access under this provision exposes an owner or operator to misdemeanor liability for each refusal, so maintaining a clear process for responding to inspection requests is a common practice among compliant operators.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 77-21 also applies to occupants, meaning tenants may be required to provide access to authorized inspectors during reasonable business hours or in emergencies. If the Chief Officer suspects a hazardous condition, entry can be demanded regardless of a tenant's consent, and refusing or delaying access can result in a misdemeanor charge for each refusal. Tenants who have questions about their rights and obligations under this provision—including what constitutes a valid inspection request—may wish to consult a local tenant-rights organization or review the full text of ch. 77 of Oneida's Code of Ordinances.
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.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation