Northfield, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 14, art. III § 14-79

(a) Authority. The building official is hereby authorized and directed to enforce or cause the enforcement of this article. For such purposes, the building official shall have the authority to: (1) issue administrative citations and orders to correct or impose civil penalties for violations of this article, or a combination thereof, as provided in sections 3-20 -- 3-28 of this Code; (2) work with local law enforcement officers and the prosecuting attorney to promote the detection, enforcement and prosecution of criminal violations of this article; and (3) to investigate and pursue all other civil remedies for violations of this article. Law enforcement officers shall have the authority to issue citations for criminal offenses under this article whether they occur on public or private property and may issue administrative citations by arrangement with and as a designee of the building official. The building official shall be advised of any citations issued by law enforcement officers. The building official shall have the power to render interpretations of this article. Such interpretations shall be in conformity with the intent and purpose of this article.
(b) Right-of-entry. When it is necessary to make an inspection for purposes of this article, or when the building official has reasonable cause to believe there exists on a rental property a condition which is contrary to or in violation of this article, the building official or their designee may enter the rental property or any part thereof at reasonable times to inspect and otherwise perform the duties imposed by this article, provided that if such rental property is occupied, city credentials must be presented to the occupant and entry requested. If such rental property is unoccupied, the building official shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person having charge or control of the property and request entry. If entry is refused, the building official shall have recourse to the remedies provided by law to secure entry. No rental license shall be issued or renewed if the building official cannot obtain entry to make the inspection as required for the issuance or renewal of a license and any existing license shall be deemed suspended until entry is obtained and a satisfactory inspection is completed, unless the building official temporarily and in writing extends a license pending a satisfactory inspection for a period of time and for reasons acceptable to the building official.
(c) Violations. Any violation of this article is a misdemeanor, an administrative offense subject to an administrative citation or civil penalties as provided in sections 3-20-3-28 of this Code, or any combination thereof, and subject to all other available civil penalties and remedies. Each day a violation exists constitutes a separate violation. All remedies are cumulative.
(d) Responsibilities of owners, occupants, managers, and rental agents. Owners and occupants, and managers and rental agents who function as managers, shall be jointly responsible for maintaining rental property in a safe, sanitary, and orderly condition and in compliance with this article and other applicable laws, rules, and regulations. Owners are and remain liable for violation of duties imposed by this article even if a duty is also imposed on the occupants of the property, or on a manager or rental agent, and even if the owner has, by agreement, imposed on the occupant, manager, or rental agent the duty of furnishing or maintaining required devices, equipment, or facilities or otherwise complying with this article.