Fulton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 475 § 475-63
Inspection of premises
Operative Text
A. The Bureau Chief shall be authorized to make or cause to be made inspections to determine the condition of premises in order to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of the public. The Bureau Chief or his designated representative shall be authorized to enter any premises at any reasonable time during business hours or at such other time as may be necessary in any emergency for the purpose of performing his duties under this chapter. Inspections herein authorized shall be limited to the provisions of this chapter. B. Inspectors and authorized personnel of the Bureau shall be supplied with official identification and upon request shall exhibit such identification when entering any premises and all parts thereof. C. Except as provided in Subsection E , access to all parts of any building, premises and parts thereof shall be provided by the owner, operator, agent or occupant thereof to personnel herein for the purpose of making such inspections at any reasonable time during business hours or at such other times as may be necessary in an emergency. D. The interior of owner-occupied residential dwellings or an owner-occupied unit within a two-family residential dwelling and an owner-occupied unit within a multiple dwelling shall not be subject to systematic inspection, as required of rental units, except in the case of an emergency or as otherwise provided by law. E. If the person entitled to possession of any building, premises or part thereof refuse admittance thereto, the Bureau Chief or his duly authorized representative, for the purpose of making an examination or inspection of the premises, shall seek authorization by use of an order to show cause or any other prompt legal means from any court of competent jurisdiction. The moving papers shall recite that he believes or has probable cause, said probable cause justified by a valid public interest, to believe that by an inspection of certain premises designated in his affidavit he will obtain evidence tending to reveal the existence of violations of this chapter. If such probable cause shall appear, the judge shall issue a warrant or order authorizing the Bureau Chief or his representative to inspect the premises named in the affidavit and designated in the warrant to obtain evidence tending to reveal the existence of violations of this chapter.
Fulton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 475 § 475-63 establishes the authority and procedures for the Bureau Chief to inspect properties in order to protect public health, safety, and welfare. Inspectors must carry and show official identification upon request, and inspections are limited to matters covered by this chapter. Owner-occupied residences and owner-occupied units in two-family or multiple dwellings are generally exempt from routine systematic inspections, though emergencies or other legal requirements may override that exemption. If access is refused, the Bureau Chief must seek a court-issued warrant or order supported by probable cause before entering.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 475-63, property owners, operators, agents, and occupants are generally expected to provide access to all parts of a building or premises during reasonable business hours or in an emergency when Bureau inspectors present their official identification. Compliant operators typically cooperate with scheduled inspections and ensure that authorized personnel can reach all areas covered by this chapter. Owners of owner-occupied units in two-family or multiple dwellings should be aware that their personal living spaces are shielded from routine systematic inspection under § 475-63(D), though emergency situations or other legal provisions may still permit entry.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 475-63 gives tenants in rental units the right to expect that any Bureau inspector who seeks entry will carry and display official identification upon request, and that inspections will be confined to matters within this chapter. Tenants should be aware that rental units are subject to systematic inspections, unlike owner-occupied spaces, and that if access is wrongfully denied by another party, the Bureau Chief must obtain a court warrant before proceeding. Tenants who have questions about how an inspection was conducted or whether their rights under § 475-63 were respected may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization or the relevant municipal office for guidance.
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 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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