Sartell, Minn., City Code title 4 ch. 8 (2026) § 4-8-8
INSPECTION; RIGHT OF ENTRY
Operative Text
4-8-8: INSPECTION; RIGHT OF ENTRY: In order to compel the compliance with the licensing requirements, the Housing Inspector shall have the authority to enter any building at reasonable times upon five (5) days’ notice to the owner or agent to determine if said building is operated as a "rental property" as defined in this Ordinance or to enforce the Property Maintenance Standards, or both. In those cases where emergency conditions endangering a person or property exist, where either the Police Department or the Fire Department has responded to a rental property, the Housing Inspector will have the authority to enter any building at any time by the request of the Sartell Police Department or the Sartell Fire Department to enforce any provisions of this Ordinance. Failure to schedule or allow a request by the Housing Inspector for an inspection shall result in rejection of the application or renewal, and if access is denied the City may pursue remedies at law including an administrative search warrant.
Section 4-8-8 of the Sartell Rental Property Licensing and Maintenance Ordinance establishes when and how the city's Housing Inspector may enter rental buildings. Under normal circumstances, the Inspector must give five days' advance notice before entering to check whether a property qualifies as a rental or to assess compliance with Property Maintenance Standards. In emergency situations where the Sartell Police Department or Sartell Fire Department has responded to a property, the Inspector may enter immediately at their request, without prior notice.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 4-8-8, compliant rental property operators in Sartell generally respond promptly to inspection requests from the Housing Inspector and ensure that access is scheduled within the required timeframe after the five-day notice is given. Blocking or ignoring an inspection request can result in denial or non-renewal of a rental license, and the City is authorized to seek an administrative search warrant to compel entry. Operators also recognize that emergency situations involving police or fire response can trigger immediate, unannounced entry authority.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 4-8-8 establishes that Sartell's Housing Inspector has the legal authority to enter rental properties to check for compliance with the ordinance's maintenance and licensing standards, which is a protection that benefits tenants living in those units. If a tenant believes their building is not being maintained to code, they may contact the City of Sartell to inquire about inspection processes under this provision. Tenants can also reach out to a local tenant-rights organization to better understand how the inspection and licensing framework under §§ 4-8-1–4-8-12 may relate to conditions in their home.
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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