Port Chester, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 197 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 197-20
Right of entry
Operative Text
The Building Commissioner shall have, for the purposes herein specified, the right of entry to any place that is open to the general public, or to any part of any building upon which building is being carried on for which a permit has been issued. In the event that an officer shall determine that an inspection of the nonpublic area(s) of any such building or structure are necessary, he or she shall give notice of the same to the owner or occupant, including the reasons therefor, and shall thereupon be authorized to enter such premises. In the further event that the owner or occupant shall refuse such request, the officer shall obtain an order or search warrant.
Port Chester Code ch. 197 § 197-20 establishes the conditions under which the Building Commissioner may enter properties for inspection purposes. The Commissioner may freely enter areas open to the general public or active construction sites covered by a permit. For non-public areas, the Commissioner must first notify the owner or occupant and state the reasons for the inspection; if entry is refused, the Commissioner must obtain a court order or search warrant before proceeding.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Port Chester Code ch. 197 § 197-20, property owners and managers who receive an inspection notice from the Building Commissioner are generally expected to acknowledge the stated reasons for the visit and provide access to the non-public areas identified. Operators who refuse entry trigger a process in which the Commissioner seeks a court order or search warrant, which can escalate the situation. Keeping records of any notices received and the responses given is a practice commonly associated with orderly compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Port Chester Code ch. 197 § 197-20 provides occupants with a procedural protection: before the Building Commissioner may enter a non-public area of your home or building, you must receive notice that includes the reasons for the inspection. If an inspection occurs without that notice, or without a court order or search warrant when entry was refused, that procedural gap may be relevant to any subsequent enforcement action. Tenants who believe an entry was conducted improperly may wish to document the circumstances and consult a tenant-rights organization familiar with Port Chester housing regulations.
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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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