Princeton, Minn., City Code title 3 ch. 358 (2026) § 358.06
Authority of Fire Chief; Right of Entry
Operative Text
358.06 Authority of Fire Chief; Right of Entry.
(a) The Fire Chief is hereby authorized and directed to provide for the enforcement of all provisions of
this Article. The Fire Chief shall have the power to render interpretations of this Article and to adopt
procedures as they may deem necessary to apply the provisions of this Article. Such interpretations
and procedures shall be in conformity with the purpose and intent of this Article.
(b) When necessary to enforce this Article, or when the Fire Chief has reasonable cause to believe a
violation exists, the Fire Chief may, upon notice to the owner or operator, enter the building or
premises at reasonable times to conduct inspections or perform duties under this Article. If occupied,
the Fire Chief shall present proper credentials and request entry; if unoccupied, the Fire Chief shall
first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or person in control and request entry.
The owner shall notify tenants of the inspection time and purpose, and tenants shall provide access.
If entry is refused, the Fire Chief may use any lawful remedy to obtain entry. Notice is not required
when the Fire Chief reasonably believes a violation presents a major life-safety issue requiring
immediate action.Under Princeton, MN City Code § 358.06, the Fire Chief holds primary authority to enforce the city's long-term residential rental licensing rules, including the power to interpret the ordinance and establish procedures consistent with its intent. When enforcement requires it—or when reasonable cause exists to suspect a violation—the Fire Chief may enter rental properties at reasonable times after notifying the owner or operator. If a tenant refuses entry, the Fire Chief may pursue any lawful remedy to gain access, and the notice requirement is waived entirely when the Fire Chief reasonably believes a life-safety emergency exists.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 358.06, compliant rental operators in Princeton, MN generally keep current contact information available so the Fire Chief can provide the required notice before an inspection. Upon receiving that notice, operators promptly inform tenants of the scheduled inspection's time and purpose, facilitating access to the unit. Operators should be aware that the Fire Chief may seek lawful remedies if entry is refused, and that no advance notice is required when a major life-safety concern is believed to exist.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 358.06 establishes that tenants in Princeton, MN long-term rentals have a role in the inspection process: landlords are required to notify tenants of the time and purpose of any Fire Chief inspection, and tenants are expected to provide access. Tenants should know that the Fire Chief must present proper credentials before entering an occupied unit under normal circumstances, though that requirement is suspended when an immediate life-safety issue is believed to be present. Tenants who have questions about their rights during an inspection or believe the process was not followed correctly may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or review the full ordinance at Princeton, MN City Code Title 3 Ch. 358.
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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