Authority to Inspect Private Property
San Diego Municipal Code § 121.0203
in effect§121.0203 Authority to Inspect Private Property
(a) Pursuant to the general authority to inspect private property provided in Municipal Code Section 12.0104, the City Manager or designated Code Enforcement Official has the authority to enter a structure or premises to determine the following:
(1) Whether a building is unsafe, substandard, or dangerous as defined in Chapter 12, Article 1, Division 4 (Procedures for Abatement of Unsafe, Dangerous, or Substandard Structures);
(2) Whether a building is of unreinforced masonry bearing wall construction; or
(3) Whether Municipal Code or applicable state code violations exist.
(b) In addition to the powers set forth in Section 121.0203(a), the City Manager or designated Code Enforcement Official has the authority to enter any structure, during reasonable hours or at any time that extreme danger exists, in the discharge of official duties to do the following:
(1) Inspect, reinspect, or test the installation of electrical wiring, devices, appliances, and equipment;
(2) Disconnect or cut any wire if necessary to protect public safety or property or if the wire may interfere with the work of the Fire Department;
(3) Disconnect or order the discontinuance of electrical service to any electrical wiring, device, appliance, or equipment found to be dangerous to the public safety or property because it is defective or defectively installed or maintained;
(4) Disconnect or remove any appliance, installation, fixture, or meter associated with a plumbing, heating, mechanical, hydraulic, ventilating, air conditioning, electrical, or refrigeration system or any related technology or application when necessary for the protection of public health and safety; or
(5) Inspect any sign for compliance with Chapter 14, Article 2, Division 12 (Sign Regulations).
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000; amended 6-19-2000 by O-18814 N.S.)
(Amended 5-5-2015 by O-20481 N.S.; effective 6-4-2015.)
Source: City of San Diego Office of the City Clerk, San Diego Municipal Code and City Charter (docs.sandiego.gov PDFs)URL: https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter12/Ch12Art01Division02.pdf#page=2Fetched: 10/28/2026