Minneapolis, MN Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Entry basis
- Owner/occupant consent required
- No consent
- City seeks administrative search warrant
- Enforcing office
- Building official (Title 5)
- Inspection fee
- Usually covered by permit fee
- No-permit inspections
- Fee set in Chapter 91 schedule
Summary
Minneapolis building inspectors need the owner or occupant's consent to enter a property; without it, the city must go to court for an administrative search warrant before inspecting.
Pursuant to Title 5 of this Code, the building official may enter, examine, and survey at all reasonable times all premises after obtaining consent from an occupant or owner of the premises. In the event an occupant or owner of the premises does not consent to entry by the building official, and if there is probable cause to believe that an inspection is warranted, then application may be made to the court for an administrative or other search warrant for the purposes of inspecting the premises. Conditions that may be a violation of Title 5 that are visible from public property or public way shall be subject to investigation and may result in required corrective action by the owner. The cost of inspector time to perform inspections shall be covered by the permit fees charged except for other fees noted in Chapter 91 or when no permit is required, the fee for such inspections shall be as stated in the Title 5 fee schedule pursuant to Chapter 91 of this Code. (Ord. No. 2019-034, § 1, 8-23-19)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72).
Full Breakdown
Under Chapter 85 of the Minneapolis Building Code, the building official may enter and survey premises at reasonable times only after obtaining consent from an occupant or owner. If consent is refused and probable cause exists to believe an inspection is warranted, the city applies to the court for an administrative or other search warrant. Conditions visible from public property or the public way can also trigger an investigation and required corrective action without an interior inspection. Inspection costs are generally covered by permit fees; when no permit is required, a separate inspection fee applies under the Title 5 fee schedule in Chapter 91.
Violations & Fines
Failure to comply with an order or correction notice issued after an inspection is a violation under Code § 59.90, subject to the city's ordinance enforcement process.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I pay extra for a building inspection in Minneapolis?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Minneapolis
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