Right of entry.

New Orleans City Code § 82-354

in effect

Sec. 82-354. - Right of entry. (a) In the performance of his or her duties, the enforcement officer may enter any land, structure, or premises in the city to enforce this article, at any reasonable time, as provided in this section. (b) If the premises is occupied, prior to entering any land, structure, or premises to enforce this article, the enforcement officer must give notice of his or her intent to enter at least 24 hours in advance of proposed time of entry. Notice shall be in writing and provide the date and time at which the enforcement officer will be present to make the inspection, and inform the person notified that he or she may request to reschedule the inspection to another date and time by contacting the enforcement officer before the stated date. If the premises is vacant, but secured from the general public, the notice shall be mailed or delivered to the last known address of the owner as provided in the assessor's records. (c) After the notice has been given, if the person notified fails to arrange for, denies or unduly delays the entry, the enforcement officer may request that the law department file in a court of competent jurisdiction a petition for right of entry to authorize entry for the enforcement of this article. The court of competent jurisdiction shall grant the petition upon determining that: i. The notice required by subparts (b) and (c) this section have been given; and ii. The petition establishes probable cause that an inspection will reveal violation(s) of this Article. (d) The petition for right of entry shall be verified by the enforcement officer and accompanied by a sworn and signed affidavit containing facts within the personal knowledge of the affiant that probable cause exists. (e) Any entry conducted for enforcement purposes of this article pursuant to an order permitting right of entry shall be made within 15 calendar days of the date the order is issued, unless otherwise provided in the order. The order shall be void upon the expiration of the entry period. (f) Neither an order nor prior notice is required in any of the following named circumstances: i. Entry is by permission of an owner or occupant upon the enforcement officer presenting credentials and requesting entry, or at the request of an owner or occupant of the land, structure, or premises or by a person with apparent right of possession; ii. If the land, structure, or premises is vacant, visibly open and obviously accessible to members of the general public and violations of this article are in plain view; or iii. Following a declared public health emergency, whereby in the judgment of the city, immediate entry for purposes of enforcement of this article is necessary to combat the declared public health emergency. Such authority shall only last during the duration of the declared public health emergency. (M.C.S., Ord. No. 26901, § 1, 4-21-16)

Source: City of New Orleans, Code of Ordinances and Home Rule Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/la/new_orleans/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH82HESA_ARTIXMOFL_S82-354RIENFetched: 10/28/2026