Blaine, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 18, art. V § 18-327
Sober living home—Inspections of dwellings
Operative Text
Upon receipt of a properly executed application for licensing and receipt of the appropriate fee, the city shall complete an initial inspection of the premises to determine whether the property is in compliance with this article. Any sober living home dwelling may be reinspected after a renewal application or transfer of license is filed to determine compliance. The city shall further have the right to reinspect the premises at any time it is deemed necessary to assure compliance with this article. (1) The city shall be authorized to make or cause to be made inspections to determine the condition of dwellings, multiple dwellings, dwelling units, roominghouses, rooming units, and premises in order to safeguard the health, safety, morals, and welfare of the public. The city shall be authorized to enter any dwelling, multiple dwelling, dwelling unit, roominghouse, rooming unit, or premises at any reasonable time for the purpose of performing inspections under this article. The owner, operator, or occupant of the sober living home shall give the city access to such dwelling, multiple dwelling, dwelling unit, roominghouse, rooming unit and premises on which it is located at all reasonable times for the purpose of such inspection. (2) If the owner, operator, person in charge, or occupant shall refuse to consent to the inspection, a search warrant may be obtained. If the city finds it necessary to obtain an administrative search warrant to enter the property for inspection due to the owner, operator, person in charge or occupant's lack of cooperation, said person may also be charged with all costs of obtaining the warrant, including court costs and attorney's fees. (3) No warrant is needed where an emergency condition exists which endangers persons or property and insufficient time is available to obtain a warrant and protect such endangered persons or property. (4) Entry under this section is subject to M.S.A. § 504B.211 (Residential Tenant's Right to Privacy), as amended.
Blaine Code of Ordinances ch. 18, art. V § 18-327 establishes the city's authority to inspect sober living homes at the time of initial licensing, upon renewal or license transfer, and at any other time deemed necessary to verify compliance with the article. Inspections must occur at reasonable times, and entry is subject to Minnesota's residential tenant privacy protections under M.S.A. § 504B.211. If access is refused, the city may seek an administrative search warrant, and the person who refused may be required to pay the associated costs, including court costs and attorney's fees. Emergency conditions that endanger persons or property may allow warrantless entry when there is insufficient time to obtain a warrant.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators and owners of sober living homes regulated under Blaine Code of Ordinances ch. 18, art. V § 18-327 generally maintain a practice of granting city inspectors access at reasonable times throughout the licensing lifecycle, including initial inspections, renewals, and transfers. Compliant operators are aware that refusing access can trigger a warrant process and expose them to the costs of obtaining that warrant, including court costs and attorney's fees. Keeping the property in continuous compliance with the article and cooperating with inspection requests are hallmarks of responsible operation under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Residents of sober living homes have privacy protections under M.S.A. § 504B.211, which is expressly incorporated into Blaine Code of Ordinances ch. 18, art. V § 18-327, meaning city inspections must occur at reasonable times and in a manner consistent with those residential tenant rights. Tenants who believe an inspection was conducted in a manner that violated their privacy rights may wish to document the circumstances and consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Minnesota housing law. Understanding both the city's inspection authority and the privacy protections built into § 18-327 can help residents recognize when an inspection falls within or outside the scope of what the ordinance permits.
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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