Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Minnesota

Power of building inspector

I just had new window installed in a porch. The city inspector wants to inspect the work which is fine. I have no problem with the inspection itself.

However, does a city inspector have the right to inspect any area of the house beyond the porch once they enter the residence?? Can they demand to inspect other areas of the house not related to the porch??? I look at city inspector as agent of the government much like police. Police are limited by the scope of a search warrant, are all government agents limited similarily????


Asked on 6/18/02, 7:23 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Charles Aspinwall Charles S. Aspinwall, J.D., LLC

Re: Power of building inspector

The building inspector can come upon your property without a warrant and inspect only to the extent you permit him to do so. Otherwise he needs a search warrant the same as anyone else. You could be subject to minor criminal proceedings, for example, for some code violations.

Make it clear to him that you are limiting the scope of his inspection to the new construction - the existing construction has already passed one would suppose.

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Answered on 6/19/02, 1:43 pm


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