Southampton, NY Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)

Town Code § 270-10 authorizes the enforcement authority, designated under § 270-1 as the Chief Building Inspector or designee, the Public Safety and Emergency Management Administrator or designee, the Chief Fire Marshal or designee, or investigators of the Town Attorney's Investigation Unit, along with other Town personnel enforcing the chapter, to make inspections of rental properties to safeguard health, safety and welfare. Entry requires the consent of the owner, person, managing agent or designee if the property is unoccupied, or the consent of the occupant if it is occupied.

Rather than a rolling mandatory inspection program on a fixed cycle, Southampton ties most inspections to the permit process itself: § 270-6 requires an on-site inspection when reviewing a rental permit application unless the owner instead submits a certification from a licensed architect or engineer under § 270-5B(10), and § 270-5B(10) lets the enforcement authority require an inspection whenever questions arise about an application. Where a permit holder, owner, managing agent or tenant refuses or fails to allow an inspection and the Town has reasonable cause to believe a violation of Chapter 270 exists, § 270-11 authorizes the enforcement authority to apply for a search warrant under New York law to gain access.

Inspection findings feed directly into permit issuance under § 270-6, permit renewal under § 270-4, and revocation for uncorrected violations under § 270-12, making the inspection power the enforcement backbone of the entire rental permit chapter rather than a stand-alone program.