Albert Lea, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 26, art. II § 26.039
Right of entry
Operative Text
(a) When it is necessary to make an inspection to enforce the provisions of this Code, or when there is reasonable cause to believe a violation of this Code exists within the particular structure, an enforcement officer may enter the building or premises at reasonable times to inspect or to perform the duties imposed by this Code. (b) Resident to give access to owner or operator. Upon receiving reasonable prior notice, every resident of rental housing or a dwelling unit must give the owner, or the owner's agent or employee, access to any part of such rental housing or dwelling unit, or its premises, at all reasonable times for the purpose of making repairs or alterations as are necessary to bring the dwelling into compliance with this section or with any other city code or state statute, rule or regulation. (c) Search warrant. If consent is refused and if there is probable cause to believe a violation exists within the particular structure, a search warrant may be obtained. No warrant is needed for entry where an emergency condition or serious health and safety issue exists and sufficient time is not available to obtain a warrant and protect persons or property. (d) Entry under this section is subject to Minn. Stats. § 504B.211.
Albert Lea Code of Ordinances ch. 26, art. II § 26.039 establishes the conditions under which enforcement officers and property owners may enter a rental dwelling. Enforcement officers may enter at reasonable times when an inspection is needed or when there is reasonable cause to believe a code violation exists, and they may seek a search warrant if entry is refused—though no warrant is required in genuine emergencies. Tenants, in turn, are required to allow owners or their agents access at reasonable times after receiving reasonable prior notice, for the purpose of making repairs or bringing the unit into compliance with applicable codes or state law. All entry rights under this section are also governed by Minnesota Statutes § 504B.211.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Albert Lea Code of Ordinances ch. 26, art. II § 26.039, compliant property owners and managers generally provide residents with reasonable prior notice before entering a unit for repairs or code-compliance work, and they schedule access at reasonable times. Operators typically document the notice given and the purpose of each entry, keeping records that demonstrate adherence to both this ordinance and the parallel requirements of Minn. Stat. § 504B.211. When an enforcement officer seeks entry, cooperative engagement with the inspection process is the standard practice of a compliant operator.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Albert Lea Code of Ordinances ch. 26, art. II § 26.039 gives tenants a clear expectation: owners or their agents must provide reasonable prior notice before entering a rental unit, and entry must occur at reasonable times. Tenants should be aware that this section operates alongside Minn. Stat. § 504B.211, which provides additional statewide protections governing landlord entry. If a tenant believes entry rights have been violated, general enforcement paths include raising the issue with the Albert Lea code enforcement office, consulting a local tenant-rights organization, or exploring the provision as a potential defense in a relevant legal proceeding.
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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