Jamestown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 216 § 216-10
Entry
Operative Text
A. The owner or local contact representative shall provide the Code Enforcement Personnel with access to all common areas and units on the rental housing property during the post-title transfer inspections. B. The owner or local contact representative is responsible for obtaining the consent of the tenant of the rental housing unit for the Code Enforcement Personnel's entry to inspect the unit. If the tenant does not consent to the entry for inspection, the Director is authorized to seek an inspection warrant from a court of competent jurisdiction. If a tenant or occupant of a rental housing unit refuses to allow the inspection, the owner is not in violation of this section. C. If the Code Enforcement Personnel has reasonable cause to believe that the rental housing unit is so hazardous, unsafe, or dangerous as to require immediate inspection to safeguard the public health or safety, the Code Enforcement Personnel shall have the right to immediately enter and inspect the premises and may use any reasonable means required to affect the entry and make an inspection.
Section 216-10 of Jamestown's Code of Ordinances governs how Code Enforcement Personnel may access rental housing units during post-title transfer inspections. Owners or their local contact representatives are required to facilitate access to common areas and to seek tenant consent for entry into individual units; if a tenant refuses, the Director may pursue a court-issued inspection warrant rather than forcing entry. In emergency situations where a unit is believed to be hazardous or dangerous, Code Enforcement Personnel are authorized to enter immediately without prior consent to protect public health and safety.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 216-10, compliant property owners and local contact representatives make common areas available to Code Enforcement Personnel during post-title transfer inspections and take reasonable steps to obtain tenant consent before inspectors enter individual units. Importantly, if a tenant refuses entry, the owner is not considered in violation of this section — the Director's office handles warrant proceedings independently. Operators generally keep records of their outreach efforts to tenants regarding inspection access, which can help demonstrate good-faith compliance with § 216-10.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 216-10 recognizes that tenants have a say in whether Code Enforcement Personnel enter their individual rental unit during a post-title transfer inspection — consent is required before entry in non-emergency circumstances. If a tenant declines to consent, the provision allows the Director to seek a court-issued inspection warrant rather than compelling immediate entry. Tenants who have questions about their rights under § 216-10, including what constitutes an emergency justifying immediate entry, may find it helpful to consult a local tenant-rights organization or review Jamestown's Code of Ordinances directly.
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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