Saint Paul, Minn., Legis. Code ch. 34 § 34.20
Duty of occupant to allow access to owner or operator
Operative Text
Every occupant of buildings, dwelling units, guest rooms, habitable rooms, premises, residential structures, rooming houses, rooming units and other structures or premises shall upon receiving reasonable prior notice give the owner or operator or their agent or employee access to the premises at reasonable times for the purpose of effecting inspections, maintenance, repairs or alterations which are necessary to comply with provisions of this chapter.
Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 34 § 34.20 establishes a reciprocal access obligation in residential settings: once an occupant receives reasonable advance notice, they are required to allow the property owner, operator, or their designated representative to enter the premises at reasonable times. The purpose of such entry is limited to inspections, maintenance, repairs, or alterations needed to meet the standards set out in Chapter 34. This rule balances the occupant's interest in privacy with the owner's responsibility to keep the property in code-compliant condition.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 34 § 34.20, compliant property owners and operators generally provide reasonable prior notice before entering an occupied unit and schedule access at reasonable times. Entries are conducted for purposes directly tied to Chapter 34 compliance — such as inspections, maintenance, or necessary repairs — rather than for open-ended access. Keeping written records of notices given and the stated purpose of each entry reflects standard practice for demonstrating adherence to this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 34 § 34.20 gives occupants the right to receive reasonable prior notice before an owner, operator, or their agent enters the premises, and limits entry to reasonable times and specific purposes such as inspections or repairs required by Chapter 34. If an occupant believes access is being sought without proper notice, at unreasonable times, or for purposes outside the scope of this provision, tenant-rights organizations in Saint Paul can help clarify what the rule requires. Occupants who experience disputes over access may also consider contacting the City of Saint Paul's Department of Safety and Inspections, which oversees housing code compliance under this chapter.
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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