Can a Landlord Enter Without Notice? Lease Entry Clauses by State
Your rental is your home, and many states require landlords to give advance notice (often 24 hours or more) before entering except in emergencies. Where state law is silent, the lease usually controls, which makes the wording of the entry clause important.
What it looks like in a lease
- “Landlord may enter the premises at any time, with or without notice, for any reason.”
- “Tenant waives any right to advance notice of entry.”
- “Landlord may show the unit to prospective tenants at any time during the last 60 days.”
Why it's a red flag
- “Any time, for any reason” wording may conflict with a state notice requirement.
- A clause where you waive notice may be unenforceable in states that set a statutory minimum.
- In states without a statute, this clause is the only protection you have — so negotiate it.
What to ask your landlord
- Can we add a minimum notice period (for example 24 hours in writing), except emergencies?
- Can entry be limited to reasonable hours and stated purposes (repairs, inspections, showings)?
State-by-state rules
Each row links to the statute. Data as of 2026-10-18.
- Arizona
- Notice required
- At least two days' notice and entry only at reasonable times, except in an emergency or where notice is impracticable. Landlord may not abuse access or use it to harass the tenant.
Source: A.R.S. § 33-1343
- California
- Notice required
- 24 hours' written notice is presumed reasonable (6 days if mailed); entry only for listed purposes and normally during business hours; emergencies excepted.
Source: Cal. Civ. Code § 1954
- Colorado
- Notice required
- Not verified yet
- Florida
- Notice required
- 24 hours' notice for repairs, entry between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.; emergencies excepted.
Source: Fla. Stat. § 83.53
- Georgia
- Notice required
- No statute; follow the lease.
- Illinois
- Notice required
- No statewide statute; Chicago RLTO requires 2 days' notice.
- Kentucky
- Notice required
- At least 2 days' notice, except in an emergency or where impracticable (URLTA areas).
Source: KRS 383.615
- Louisiana
- Notice required
- Not verified yet
- Maryland
- Notice required
- Not verified yet
- Minnesota
- Notice required
- Only for a reasonable business purpose and after a good-faith effort to give at least 24 hours' notice specifying a time or window; entry only between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. unless agreed. No notice needed when immediate entry is necessary for safety/emergency reasons. The tenant cannot be required to waive the notice right as a condition of the lease.
- Missouri
- Notice required
- Not verified yet
- Nevada
- Notice required
- At least 24 hours' notice, at reasonable times during normal business hours (unless tenant consents otherwise); no notice needed in an emergency.
Source: NRS 118A.330
- New York
- Notice required
- No general statewide statute; reasonable notice expected. In NYC, HPD rules require 24 hours' notice for inspections and 1 week for non-emergency repairs (28 RCNY 25-101).
- North Carolina
- Notice required
- No statute; follow the lease.
- Ohio
- Notice required
- 24 hours' notice and reasonable times, except emergencies.
Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.04(A)(8)
- Oregon
- Notice required
- At least 24 hours' actual notice, at reasonable times; no notice for emergencies or for entering at the tenant's written repair request.
Source: ORS 90.322
- Pennsylvania
- Notice required
- No statute; follow the lease.
- South Carolina
- Notice required
- At least 24 hours' notice and entry only at reasonable times. Exceptions: emergencies; regularly scheduled services (filters, pest treatment) 9 a.m.-6 p.m. if conspicuously written in the lease and announced before entering; tenant-requested services 8 a.m.-8 p.m. after announcing. Landlord may not abuse access or use it to harass the tenant. Tenant may not change locks without permission.
Source: S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-530
- Tennessee
- Notice required
- No general advance-notice period; tenant may not unreasonably refuse access. For showing to prospective tenants in the last 30 days of the lease (if the lease allows), 24 hours' notice. Emergency entry allowed.
Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-403
- Texas
- Notice required
- No statute; entry rules come from the lease.
- Utah
- Notice required
- At least 24 hours' notice, unless the rental agreement provides otherwise.
Source: Utah Code § 57-22-4(2)
- Virginia
- Notice required
- Notice of intent to enter and entry only at reasonable times, except in an emergency or where impractical. At least 72 hours' notice for routine maintenance the tenant did not request. Landlord may not abuse access or use it to harass the tenant.
Source: Va. Code § 55.1-1229(A)
- Washington
- Notice required
- At least 2 days' written notice stating the date(s) and time window plus a phone number for objections, and entry only at reasonable times; 1 day's notice to show the unit to buyers or tenants. No notice needed in an emergency or abandonment, or where notice is impracticable. No harassment or excessive showings.
Source: RCW 59.18.150
Cities and counties can add stricter rules (e.g. Chicago, New York City). Other states: coming soon.
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General information only, not legal advice. Laws change — verify with the linked source or a licensed attorney.