Can town administrative “code” overule state laws like those forbidding trespassing?












2















I notice that a lot of towns have "right of entry" rules which ostensibly permit firefighters to trespass onto private property essentially whenever they want to "inspect" things to "prevent fire". Basically, it's carte blanche to trespass on people's property to snoop on them. For example, linked is a typical town "code" to this effect.



Does "code" like this overrule somehow laws against trespassing?



This is relevant to me because I have a property with private road and the firefighters in town feel free to drive onto my property and snoop around.










share|improve this question























  • It may depend on your state constitution and how the laws are written.

    – D M
    4 hours ago











  • The way 166-10 B in the link is written seems contradictory - I'm not sure whether it's saying that refusing the Fire Marshal is a legal violation of some kind or if it's something the writers just really don't want you to do.

    – IllusiveBrian
    4 hours ago
















2















I notice that a lot of towns have "right of entry" rules which ostensibly permit firefighters to trespass onto private property essentially whenever they want to "inspect" things to "prevent fire". Basically, it's carte blanche to trespass on people's property to snoop on them. For example, linked is a typical town "code" to this effect.



Does "code" like this overrule somehow laws against trespassing?



This is relevant to me because I have a property with private road and the firefighters in town feel free to drive onto my property and snoop around.










share|improve this question























  • It may depend on your state constitution and how the laws are written.

    – D M
    4 hours ago











  • The way 166-10 B in the link is written seems contradictory - I'm not sure whether it's saying that refusing the Fire Marshal is a legal violation of some kind or if it's something the writers just really don't want you to do.

    – IllusiveBrian
    4 hours ago














2












2








2








I notice that a lot of towns have "right of entry" rules which ostensibly permit firefighters to trespass onto private property essentially whenever they want to "inspect" things to "prevent fire". Basically, it's carte blanche to trespass on people's property to snoop on them. For example, linked is a typical town "code" to this effect.



Does "code" like this overrule somehow laws against trespassing?



This is relevant to me because I have a property with private road and the firefighters in town feel free to drive onto my property and snoop around.










share|improve this question














I notice that a lot of towns have "right of entry" rules which ostensibly permit firefighters to trespass onto private property essentially whenever they want to "inspect" things to "prevent fire". Basically, it's carte blanche to trespass on people's property to snoop on them. For example, linked is a typical town "code" to this effect.



Does "code" like this overrule somehow laws against trespassing?



This is relevant to me because I have a property with private road and the firefighters in town feel free to drive onto my property and snoop around.







trespass






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked 5 hours ago









CiceroCicero

2,5471225




2,5471225













  • It may depend on your state constitution and how the laws are written.

    – D M
    4 hours ago











  • The way 166-10 B in the link is written seems contradictory - I'm not sure whether it's saying that refusing the Fire Marshal is a legal violation of some kind or if it's something the writers just really don't want you to do.

    – IllusiveBrian
    4 hours ago



















  • It may depend on your state constitution and how the laws are written.

    – D M
    4 hours ago











  • The way 166-10 B in the link is written seems contradictory - I'm not sure whether it's saying that refusing the Fire Marshal is a legal violation of some kind or if it's something the writers just really don't want you to do.

    – IllusiveBrian
    4 hours ago

















It may depend on your state constitution and how the laws are written.

– D M
4 hours ago





It may depend on your state constitution and how the laws are written.

– D M
4 hours ago













The way 166-10 B in the link is written seems contradictory - I'm not sure whether it's saying that refusing the Fire Marshal is a legal violation of some kind or if it's something the writers just really don't want you to do.

– IllusiveBrian
4 hours ago





The way 166-10 B in the link is written seems contradictory - I'm not sure whether it's saying that refusing the Fire Marshal is a legal violation of some kind or if it's something the writers just really don't want you to do.

– IllusiveBrian
4 hours ago










1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes


















2














The New Hampshire law against trespassing says




I. A person is guilty of criminal trespass if, knowing that he is not
licensed or privileged to do so, he enters or remains in any place.




State law does not specify what conditions constitute having license or privilege. The Franklin city code specifies one form of privilege.




A:The Fire Chief or his or her authorized representative shall have
the right to inspect all premises, except owner-occupied detached
single- or two-family structures used exclusively for dwelling
purposes. These inspections shall be made in accordance with the
systematic inspection program and as often as may be necessary for the
purpose of ascertaining and causing to be corrected any conditions
liable to cause fire, contribute to the spread of fire, interfere with
fire operations or endanger life or any conditions constituting
violations of the provisions or intent of this article. Except in the
case of systematic inspection programs or other good cause,
inspections shall not include occupied dwelling units.



B: Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the
provisions of this code, or whenever the Fire Chief or his or her
authorized representative has reasonable cause to believe that there
exists in any or upon any premises any condition which makes such
building or premises unsafe, the Fire Chief or his or her
representative may enter such premises at all reasonable times to
inspect the same, provided that if such premises shall be occupied, he
or she shall first present proper credentials and demand entry, and if
such premises shall be unoccupied, he or she shall first make a
reasonable effort to locate the owner or other persons having charge
or control of the premises and demand entry. No owner or occupant or
any other persons having charge, care or control of any premises shall
fail or neglect, after proper request is made as herein provided, to
promptly permit entry therein by the Fire Chief or his or her
authorized representative for the purpose of inspection and
examination pursuant to this article. If the owner or occupant denies
entry, the Fire Chief or his or her authorized representative shall
obtain a proper warrant or other remedy provided by law to secure
entry.




This ordinance does not grant firefighters the right to snoop on people's property whenever they want. So this does not "override" state law. If you refuse admission, they must obtain a warrant (constitutional requirement), making the justification subject to judicial review, i.e. conformity with the states grounds for such entry. The clause "No owner shall fail to promptly permit entry" is a rhetorical admonition, not an enforceable clause, and an ordinance cannot suspend the 4th Amendment.






share|improve this answer
























  • Yeah, well what I know is that they are driving onto my property like they own it. You are basically repeating stuff I already know. I mean you just pasted what I linked! This does not offer any new information.

    – Cicero
    3 hours ago











  • @Cicero You have the right to refuse them, as the answer explains. You could serve them with a notarized letter explicitly denying them entry and ordering them to C&D. If they continue after that I can think of more options but it would probably make sense to consult with a local lawyer to figure out what the best next step is. If they are currently on your property and you have unambiguously asked them to leave, you could call your local police as well to ask them to remove them, since they are trespassing unless they already have a warrant or "other legal remedy."

    – IllusiveBrian
    3 hours ago













  • I'm assuming you've already called or written politely asking them to work out an inspection schedule that is reasonable to you, of course.

    – IllusiveBrian
    3 hours ago












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1 Answer
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oldest

votes








1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes









2














The New Hampshire law against trespassing says




I. A person is guilty of criminal trespass if, knowing that he is not
licensed or privileged to do so, he enters or remains in any place.




State law does not specify what conditions constitute having license or privilege. The Franklin city code specifies one form of privilege.




A:The Fire Chief or his or her authorized representative shall have
the right to inspect all premises, except owner-occupied detached
single- or two-family structures used exclusively for dwelling
purposes. These inspections shall be made in accordance with the
systematic inspection program and as often as may be necessary for the
purpose of ascertaining and causing to be corrected any conditions
liable to cause fire, contribute to the spread of fire, interfere with
fire operations or endanger life or any conditions constituting
violations of the provisions or intent of this article. Except in the
case of systematic inspection programs or other good cause,
inspections shall not include occupied dwelling units.



B: Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the
provisions of this code, or whenever the Fire Chief or his or her
authorized representative has reasonable cause to believe that there
exists in any or upon any premises any condition which makes such
building or premises unsafe, the Fire Chief or his or her
representative may enter such premises at all reasonable times to
inspect the same, provided that if such premises shall be occupied, he
or she shall first present proper credentials and demand entry, and if
such premises shall be unoccupied, he or she shall first make a
reasonable effort to locate the owner or other persons having charge
or control of the premises and demand entry. No owner or occupant or
any other persons having charge, care or control of any premises shall
fail or neglect, after proper request is made as herein provided, to
promptly permit entry therein by the Fire Chief or his or her
authorized representative for the purpose of inspection and
examination pursuant to this article. If the owner or occupant denies
entry, the Fire Chief or his or her authorized representative shall
obtain a proper warrant or other remedy provided by law to secure
entry.




This ordinance does not grant firefighters the right to snoop on people's property whenever they want. So this does not "override" state law. If you refuse admission, they must obtain a warrant (constitutional requirement), making the justification subject to judicial review, i.e. conformity with the states grounds for such entry. The clause "No owner shall fail to promptly permit entry" is a rhetorical admonition, not an enforceable clause, and an ordinance cannot suspend the 4th Amendment.






share|improve this answer
























  • Yeah, well what I know is that they are driving onto my property like they own it. You are basically repeating stuff I already know. I mean you just pasted what I linked! This does not offer any new information.

    – Cicero
    3 hours ago











  • @Cicero You have the right to refuse them, as the answer explains. You could serve them with a notarized letter explicitly denying them entry and ordering them to C&D. If they continue after that I can think of more options but it would probably make sense to consult with a local lawyer to figure out what the best next step is. If they are currently on your property and you have unambiguously asked them to leave, you could call your local police as well to ask them to remove them, since they are trespassing unless they already have a warrant or "other legal remedy."

    – IllusiveBrian
    3 hours ago













  • I'm assuming you've already called or written politely asking them to work out an inspection schedule that is reasonable to you, of course.

    – IllusiveBrian
    3 hours ago
















2














The New Hampshire law against trespassing says




I. A person is guilty of criminal trespass if, knowing that he is not
licensed or privileged to do so, he enters or remains in any place.




State law does not specify what conditions constitute having license or privilege. The Franklin city code specifies one form of privilege.




A:The Fire Chief or his or her authorized representative shall have
the right to inspect all premises, except owner-occupied detached
single- or two-family structures used exclusively for dwelling
purposes. These inspections shall be made in accordance with the
systematic inspection program and as often as may be necessary for the
purpose of ascertaining and causing to be corrected any conditions
liable to cause fire, contribute to the spread of fire, interfere with
fire operations or endanger life or any conditions constituting
violations of the provisions or intent of this article. Except in the
case of systematic inspection programs or other good cause,
inspections shall not include occupied dwelling units.



B: Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the
provisions of this code, or whenever the Fire Chief or his or her
authorized representative has reasonable cause to believe that there
exists in any or upon any premises any condition which makes such
building or premises unsafe, the Fire Chief or his or her
representative may enter such premises at all reasonable times to
inspect the same, provided that if such premises shall be occupied, he
or she shall first present proper credentials and demand entry, and if
such premises shall be unoccupied, he or she shall first make a
reasonable effort to locate the owner or other persons having charge
or control of the premises and demand entry. No owner or occupant or
any other persons having charge, care or control of any premises shall
fail or neglect, after proper request is made as herein provided, to
promptly permit entry therein by the Fire Chief or his or her
authorized representative for the purpose of inspection and
examination pursuant to this article. If the owner or occupant denies
entry, the Fire Chief or his or her authorized representative shall
obtain a proper warrant or other remedy provided by law to secure
entry.




This ordinance does not grant firefighters the right to snoop on people's property whenever they want. So this does not "override" state law. If you refuse admission, they must obtain a warrant (constitutional requirement), making the justification subject to judicial review, i.e. conformity with the states grounds for such entry. The clause "No owner shall fail to promptly permit entry" is a rhetorical admonition, not an enforceable clause, and an ordinance cannot suspend the 4th Amendment.






share|improve this answer
























  • Yeah, well what I know is that they are driving onto my property like they own it. You are basically repeating stuff I already know. I mean you just pasted what I linked! This does not offer any new information.

    – Cicero
    3 hours ago











  • @Cicero You have the right to refuse them, as the answer explains. You could serve them with a notarized letter explicitly denying them entry and ordering them to C&D. If they continue after that I can think of more options but it would probably make sense to consult with a local lawyer to figure out what the best next step is. If they are currently on your property and you have unambiguously asked them to leave, you could call your local police as well to ask them to remove them, since they are trespassing unless they already have a warrant or "other legal remedy."

    – IllusiveBrian
    3 hours ago













  • I'm assuming you've already called or written politely asking them to work out an inspection schedule that is reasonable to you, of course.

    – IllusiveBrian
    3 hours ago














2












2








2







The New Hampshire law against trespassing says




I. A person is guilty of criminal trespass if, knowing that he is not
licensed or privileged to do so, he enters or remains in any place.




State law does not specify what conditions constitute having license or privilege. The Franklin city code specifies one form of privilege.




A:The Fire Chief or his or her authorized representative shall have
the right to inspect all premises, except owner-occupied detached
single- or two-family structures used exclusively for dwelling
purposes. These inspections shall be made in accordance with the
systematic inspection program and as often as may be necessary for the
purpose of ascertaining and causing to be corrected any conditions
liable to cause fire, contribute to the spread of fire, interfere with
fire operations or endanger life or any conditions constituting
violations of the provisions or intent of this article. Except in the
case of systematic inspection programs or other good cause,
inspections shall not include occupied dwelling units.



B: Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the
provisions of this code, or whenever the Fire Chief or his or her
authorized representative has reasonable cause to believe that there
exists in any or upon any premises any condition which makes such
building or premises unsafe, the Fire Chief or his or her
representative may enter such premises at all reasonable times to
inspect the same, provided that if such premises shall be occupied, he
or she shall first present proper credentials and demand entry, and if
such premises shall be unoccupied, he or she shall first make a
reasonable effort to locate the owner or other persons having charge
or control of the premises and demand entry. No owner or occupant or
any other persons having charge, care or control of any premises shall
fail or neglect, after proper request is made as herein provided, to
promptly permit entry therein by the Fire Chief or his or her
authorized representative for the purpose of inspection and
examination pursuant to this article. If the owner or occupant denies
entry, the Fire Chief or his or her authorized representative shall
obtain a proper warrant or other remedy provided by law to secure
entry.




This ordinance does not grant firefighters the right to snoop on people's property whenever they want. So this does not "override" state law. If you refuse admission, they must obtain a warrant (constitutional requirement), making the justification subject to judicial review, i.e. conformity with the states grounds for such entry. The clause "No owner shall fail to promptly permit entry" is a rhetorical admonition, not an enforceable clause, and an ordinance cannot suspend the 4th Amendment.






share|improve this answer













The New Hampshire law against trespassing says




I. A person is guilty of criminal trespass if, knowing that he is not
licensed or privileged to do so, he enters or remains in any place.




State law does not specify what conditions constitute having license or privilege. The Franklin city code specifies one form of privilege.




A:The Fire Chief or his or her authorized representative shall have
the right to inspect all premises, except owner-occupied detached
single- or two-family structures used exclusively for dwelling
purposes. These inspections shall be made in accordance with the
systematic inspection program and as often as may be necessary for the
purpose of ascertaining and causing to be corrected any conditions
liable to cause fire, contribute to the spread of fire, interfere with
fire operations or endanger life or any conditions constituting
violations of the provisions or intent of this article. Except in the
case of systematic inspection programs or other good cause,
inspections shall not include occupied dwelling units.



B: Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the
provisions of this code, or whenever the Fire Chief or his or her
authorized representative has reasonable cause to believe that there
exists in any or upon any premises any condition which makes such
building or premises unsafe, the Fire Chief or his or her
representative may enter such premises at all reasonable times to
inspect the same, provided that if such premises shall be occupied, he
or she shall first present proper credentials and demand entry, and if
such premises shall be unoccupied, he or she shall first make a
reasonable effort to locate the owner or other persons having charge
or control of the premises and demand entry. No owner or occupant or
any other persons having charge, care or control of any premises shall
fail or neglect, after proper request is made as herein provided, to
promptly permit entry therein by the Fire Chief or his or her
authorized representative for the purpose of inspection and
examination pursuant to this article. If the owner or occupant denies
entry, the Fire Chief or his or her authorized representative shall
obtain a proper warrant or other remedy provided by law to secure
entry.




This ordinance does not grant firefighters the right to snoop on people's property whenever they want. So this does not "override" state law. If you refuse admission, they must obtain a warrant (constitutional requirement), making the justification subject to judicial review, i.e. conformity with the states grounds for such entry. The clause "No owner shall fail to promptly permit entry" is a rhetorical admonition, not an enforceable clause, and an ordinance cannot suspend the 4th Amendment.







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered 4 hours ago









user6726user6726

61.9k456109




61.9k456109













  • Yeah, well what I know is that they are driving onto my property like they own it. You are basically repeating stuff I already know. I mean you just pasted what I linked! This does not offer any new information.

    – Cicero
    3 hours ago











  • @Cicero You have the right to refuse them, as the answer explains. You could serve them with a notarized letter explicitly denying them entry and ordering them to C&D. If they continue after that I can think of more options but it would probably make sense to consult with a local lawyer to figure out what the best next step is. If they are currently on your property and you have unambiguously asked them to leave, you could call your local police as well to ask them to remove them, since they are trespassing unless they already have a warrant or "other legal remedy."

    – IllusiveBrian
    3 hours ago













  • I'm assuming you've already called or written politely asking them to work out an inspection schedule that is reasonable to you, of course.

    – IllusiveBrian
    3 hours ago



















  • Yeah, well what I know is that they are driving onto my property like they own it. You are basically repeating stuff I already know. I mean you just pasted what I linked! This does not offer any new information.

    – Cicero
    3 hours ago











  • @Cicero You have the right to refuse them, as the answer explains. You could serve them with a notarized letter explicitly denying them entry and ordering them to C&D. If they continue after that I can think of more options but it would probably make sense to consult with a local lawyer to figure out what the best next step is. If they are currently on your property and you have unambiguously asked them to leave, you could call your local police as well to ask them to remove them, since they are trespassing unless they already have a warrant or "other legal remedy."

    – IllusiveBrian
    3 hours ago













  • I'm assuming you've already called or written politely asking them to work out an inspection schedule that is reasonable to you, of course.

    – IllusiveBrian
    3 hours ago

















Yeah, well what I know is that they are driving onto my property like they own it. You are basically repeating stuff I already know. I mean you just pasted what I linked! This does not offer any new information.

– Cicero
3 hours ago





Yeah, well what I know is that they are driving onto my property like they own it. You are basically repeating stuff I already know. I mean you just pasted what I linked! This does not offer any new information.

– Cicero
3 hours ago













@Cicero You have the right to refuse them, as the answer explains. You could serve them with a notarized letter explicitly denying them entry and ordering them to C&D. If they continue after that I can think of more options but it would probably make sense to consult with a local lawyer to figure out what the best next step is. If they are currently on your property and you have unambiguously asked them to leave, you could call your local police as well to ask them to remove them, since they are trespassing unless they already have a warrant or "other legal remedy."

– IllusiveBrian
3 hours ago







@Cicero You have the right to refuse them, as the answer explains. You could serve them with a notarized letter explicitly denying them entry and ordering them to C&D. If they continue after that I can think of more options but it would probably make sense to consult with a local lawyer to figure out what the best next step is. If they are currently on your property and you have unambiguously asked them to leave, you could call your local police as well to ask them to remove them, since they are trespassing unless they already have a warrant or "other legal remedy."

– IllusiveBrian
3 hours ago















I'm assuming you've already called or written politely asking them to work out an inspection schedule that is reasonable to you, of course.

– IllusiveBrian
3 hours ago





I'm assuming you've already called or written politely asking them to work out an inspection schedule that is reasonable to you, of course.

– IllusiveBrian
3 hours ago


















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