Renting a home gives the tenant the right to possess it, and that limits when the landlord can come in. Most states let a landlord enter to make repairs, inspect, or show the unit to buyers or new tenants, but only at reasonable times and, outside emergencies, only after advance notice.
How much notice varies. In our data, 16 jurisdictions require at least 24 hours and 9 require 48 hours. Another 17 set no fixed number of hours: some require “reasonable” notice, and in others no statute addresses entry at all, so the lease decides. Emergencies such as a fire, flood or gas leak allow entry without notice almost everywhere. Repeated entries meant to harass a tenant can violate the tenant’s right to quiet enjoyment even where notice is given.
The table lists the notice rule for every state, with the statute. If a landlord keeps entering without proper notice, write down each date, object in writing, and check whether your state lets you recover damages.
Key patterns across the states
- 16 of 51 jurisdictions require at least 24 hours’ notice before a non-emergency entry.
- 9 jurisdictions require 48 hours, and Wisconsin requires 12.
- 17 jurisdictions set no fixed number of hours.
- Not yet verified, so left out of these counts: entry notice: 8.
Landlord entry notice laws in all 50 states and D.C.
| State | Notice before entry | Rule | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 48 hours | At least two days' notice, entry only at reasonable times; a note posted on the main door counts. No notice is needed in an emergency, for repairs the tenant requested, or under an advance schedule given more than two days ahead. | Ala. Code § 35-9A-303(c)-(e) |
| Alaska | 24 hours | At least 24 hours' notice, entry only at reasonable times, except in an emergency or where notice is impracticable. | AS 34.03.140(c) |
| Arizona | 48 hours | At least two days' notice and entry only at reasonable times, except in an emergency or where impracticable. A tenant's maintenance request counts as permission to enter for that request. | A.R.S. § 33-1343(B)-(D) |
| Arkansas | Not yet verified — see statute (Ark. Code Ann. § 18-17-602) | Not yet verified — see statute (Ark. Code Ann. § 18-17-602) | — |
| California | 24 hours | Reasonable written notice is required for non-emergency entry; 24 hours is presumed reasonable (6 days if mailed). Entry only during normal business hours for listed purposes. | Cal. Civ. Code § 1954(d) |
| Colorado | No set hours | No statute sets a notice period for a landlord's non-emergency entry to a residential unit; the lease governs. | C.R.S. tit. 38, art. 12 (no provision) |
| Connecticut | No set hours | Reasonable written or oral notice, at reasonable times, except in emergencies. No specific number of hours. | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-16(c) |
| Delaware | 48 hours | At least 48 hours' notice, entering only between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. No notice is needed for tenant-requested repairs or emergencies; a tenant may waive notice for showings to prospective tenants or buyers in a signed addendum. | 25 Del. C. § 5509(b) |
| District of Columbia | 48 hours | At least 48 hours' written notice (email or text allowed), entry between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., not on Sundays or federal holidays, except emergencies. | D.C. Code § 42-3505.51 |
| Florida | 24 hours | At least 24 hours' notice to enter for repairs, between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.; no notice in an emergency. | Fla. Stat. § 83.53(2) |
| Georgia | No set hours | No statute; the lease sets when and how the landlord may enter. If the lease gives no entry right, the tenant may refuse except in an emergency. | — |
| Hawaii | 48 hours | At least two days' notice before entry, during reasonable hours, except in an emergency or where impracticable. | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-53(b) |
| Idaho | No set hours | No statute on landlord entry; the lease controls. | Idaho Code tit. 6 ch. 3; tit. 55 ch. 3 |
| Illinois | No set hours | No statute. Illinois state law sets no advance-notice period for landlord entry; the lease controls. | none |
| Indiana | No set hours | The statute requires only reasonable written or oral notice and entry at reasonable times; no emergency notice needed. | IC 32-31-5-6(f)-(g) |
| Iowa | 24 hours | Except in an emergency or where impracticable, the landlord must give at least 24 hours' notice and enter only at reasonable times. | Iowa Code § 562A.19(3) |
| Kansas | No set hours | Landlord may enter at reasonable hours after reasonable notice; no notice needed for an extreme hazard. The statute sets no hour count. | K.S.A. 58-2557 |
| Kentucky | 48 hours | In URLTA localities, except in an emergency or where impracticable, the landlord must give at least two days' notice and enter at reasonable times. Outside them no statute applies. | KRS 383.615(3) |
| Louisiana | — | — | — |
| Maine | 24 hours | Reasonable notice and reasonable times, except emergencies; 24 hours is presumed reasonable. | 14 M.R.S. § 6025(1) |
| Maryland | — | — | — |
| Massachusetts | No set hours | No set notice period. A lease may let the landlord enter only to inspect, repair or show the unit, or with a court order, or if the unit appears abandoned. | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B(1)(a) |
| Michigan | — | — | — |
| Minnesota | 24 hours | Entry only for a reasonable business purpose after a good-faith effort to give at least 24 hours' notice, except emergencies and listed exceptions. | Minn. Stat. § 504B.211, subd. 2 |
| Mississippi | — | — | — |
| Missouri | — | — | — |
| Montana | 24 hours | Except in emergencies or where impracticable, at least 24 hours' notice, entering only at reasonable times; posting on the main entry door counts as notice. | Mont. Code Ann. § 70-24-312(3) |
| Nebraska | 24 hours | At least 24 hours' written notice stating the purpose and a reasonable entry window, entering only at reasonable times, except emergencies. | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1423(3) |
| Nevada | 24 hours | Except in emergencies, at least 24 hours' notice, entering only at reasonable times during normal business hours unless the tenant consents. | NRS 118A.330(3) |
| New Hampshire | No set hours | No set hours. The landlord may not willfully enter without the tenant's consent except for emergency repairs; tenants may not refuse access at a reasonable time after notice adequate under the circumstances. | N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:3, IV-V |
| New Jersey | No set hours | No statute sets a notice period. A landlord generally needs the tenant's consent or a court order to enter; courts allow reasonable entry for inspection and repair, and the lease should address it. | — |
| New Mexico | 24 hours | 24 hours' written notice of the intent, purpose, date and time frame of entry, with exceptions for emergencies and tenant-requested repairs. | N.M. Stat. § 47-8-24(A) |
| New York | No set hours | No statute sets a notice period. A landlord may enter with reasonable prior notice and consent for repairs or services or as the lease provides, and without notice in an emergency. | None (no statute) |
| North Carolina | — | — | — |
| North Dakota | No set hours | No set hours. Except in emergencies or suspected abandonment or serious violation, the landlord must enter only at reasonable hours and, unless impractical, first notify the tenant and get consent for a time certain, which may not be unreasonably withheld. | N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.3 |
| Ohio | 24 hours | Reasonable notice before entry, at reasonable times, except emergencies; 24 hours is presumed reasonable absent contrary evidence. | Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.04(A)(8) |
| Oklahoma | 24 hours | At least one day's notice of intent to enter, at reasonable times, except emergencies or where impracticable. | 41 O.S. § 128(C) |
| Oregon | 24 hours | At least 24 hours' actual notice and entry only at reasonable times, except emergencies or tenant-requested repairs; the tenant may deny consent after receiving notice. | ORS 90.322(1)(f) |
| Pennsylvania | No set hours | No statute sets entry notice; the lease controls. | Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 |
| Rhode Island | 48 hours | At least two days' notice of intent to enter, at reasonable times, except emergencies or where impracticable. | R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-26(c) |
| South Carolina | 24 hours | At least 24 hours' notice and entry at reasonable times, except emergencies, lease-authorized periodic services (9 a.m.-6 p.m.) and tenant-requested services (8 a.m.-8 p.m.) with announcement. | S.C. Code § 27-40-530(b)-(c) |
| South Dakota | 24 hours | Reasonable notice and entry at reasonable times except emergencies; 24 hours' written notice is presumed reasonable unless the lease sets another method. Notice must state dates, a time window during business hours, purpose, and how to reschedule. | SDCL § 43-32-32 |
| Tennessee | Not yet verified — see statute (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-403) | Not yet verified — see statute (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-403) | — |
| Texas | No set hours | No statute sets entry notice; the lease controls. | Tex. Prop. Code ch. 92 |
| Utah | 24 hours | Unless the rental agreement provides otherwise, the owner must give at least 24 hours' prior notice of entry. | Utah Code § 57-22-4(2) |
| Vermont | 48 hours | With consent (not unreasonably withheld), or on at least 48 hours' notice between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. for inspection, repairs, services or showings; without notice only for imminent danger. | 9 V.S.A. § 4460 |
| Virginia | No set hours | The landlord must give notice of intent to enter and enter at reasonable times, but no general hour count is set; 72 hours' notice is required for routine maintenance the tenant did not request. | Va. Code § 55.1-1229(A) |
| Washington | 48 hours | At least two days' written notice stating the date and time window, except emergencies or where impracticable; one day's notice to show the unit to prospective tenants or buyers. | RCW 59.18.150 |
| West Virginia | No set hours | No statute sets entry notice. | W. Va. Code ch. 37, art. 6 |
| Wisconsin | 12 hours | Entry only at reasonable times on at least 12 hours' advance notice, unless the tenant consents to less, requests the entry, or there is a health or safety emergency. | Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.09(2) |
| Wyoming | No set hours | No statute sets entry notice. | W.S. title 1, ch. 21, art. 12 |
How we compiled this
We checked every rule on this page against the statute itself in November 2026, reading each state’s own code site or an official state guide such as an attorney general’s tenant handbook. A cell shows a rule only when we confirmed it against one of those primary sources. Where we could not confirm a rule, the cell says “Not yet verified” and links the statute so you can read it yourself. Simplified table entries leave out exceptions, so read the linked statute before you rely on a number.
Laws change. Legislatures amend these sections often, and cities and counties can add their own rules on top of state law. Confirm the current text of the statute, or ask a local legal aid office, before you act on a deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much notice does a landlord need to give before entering?
Most commonly 24 hours (16 jurisdictions) or 48 hours (9). In 17 jurisdictions there is no fixed number; check the Rule column.
Can a landlord enter without notice in an emergency?
Yes. Fire, flooding, a gas leak or a similar emergency allows entry without notice in virtually every state.
Can I refuse to let my landlord in?
If the landlord gives proper notice for a lawful purpose at a reasonable time, most states do not let a tenant unreasonably refuse. You can ask to reschedule and object in writing to entries without notice.
Does a text message count as notice?
Some statutes require written notice and some allow oral notice. Whether a text qualifies depends on the statute and your lease, so keep a copy of whatever notice you receive.
What if my landlord keeps entering without notice?
Keep a log of every entry, send a written objection that cites the statute, and see tenant rights basics for next steps.
Related guides and tools
This page is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your situation, talk to a licensed attorney or a local legal aid office. See our disclaimer.