Brookhaven, NY Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)

Section 82-8 authorizes the Chief Building Inspector 'to make or cause to be made inspections, to determine the condition of dwellings and to safeguard the health, safety, morals and welfare of the public,' entering a dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house or premises 'at any reasonable time during daylight hours' with the owner's consent, or without consent in an emergency. Subsection C is explicit that the chapter does not authorize a warrantless inspection outside that emergency exception; the Town must have either the owner's consent or a warrant.

Section 82-9 lets the Chief Building Inspector apply to the District Court, Supreme Court or any court of competent jurisdiction in Suffolk County for a search warrant when an owner refuses an inspection and there is reasonable cause to believe a Chapter 82 violation exists. The inspection program is tied directly to registration: under § 82-10C(2) and (3), every rental unit gets only a 90-day temporary registration until the owner arranges a Town inspection, or submits a report from a New York State-licensed engineer, architect or certified home inspector confirming compliance with housing, sanitary, building, electrical and fire codes, after which the Chief Building Inspector issues the 15-month registration.

The same inspection is required again before a renewal registration under § 82-10F(3). Section 82-8E presumes a dwelling is rented for a fee if it is not occupied by its legal owner, a presumption the owner can rebut.