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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>84932</law_id><section_number>27-98.2</section_number><catch_line>Issuance of warrant</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="27">Fire Protection</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="9">Statewide Fire Prevention Code Act</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p><span class="dictionary">Search warrants</span> for inspections or reinspection of buildings, structures, property, or premises subject to inspections pursuant to the Code, to determine compliance with regulations or standards set forth in the Code, shall be based upon a demonstration of <span class="dictionary">probable cause</span> and supported by <span class="dictionary">affidavit</span>. Such <span class="dictionary">inspection warrants</span> may be issued by any <span class="dictionary">judge</span> or <span class="dictionary">magistrate</span> having authority to <span class="dictionary">issue</span> criminal warrants whose territorial <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> encompasses the building, structure, property or premises to be inspected or entered, if he is satisfied from the <span class="dictionary">affidavit</span> that there is <span class="dictionary">probable cause</span> for the issuance of an <span class="dictionary">inspection warrant</span>. No <span class="dictionary">inspection warrant</span> shall be issued pursuant to this chapter except upon <span class="dictionary">probable cause</span>, supported by <span class="dictionary">affidavit</span>, particularly describing the place, thing or property to be inspected, examined or tested and the purpose for which the inspection, examination, testing or collection of samples for testing is to be made. <span class="dictionary">Probable cause</span> shall be deemed to exist if such inspection, examination, testing or collection of samples for testing are necessary to ensure compliance with the <span class="dictionary">Fire Prevention Code</span> for the protection of life and property from the hazards of fire or explosion. The supporting <span class="dictionary">affidavit</span> shall contain either a statement that consent to inspect, examine, test or collect samples for testing has been sought and refused or <span class="dictionary">facts</span> or circumstances reasonably justifying the failure to seek such consent in <span class="dictionary">order</span> to enforce effectively the fire safety <span class="dictionary">laws</span>, regulations or standards of the Commonwealth which authorize such inspection, examination, testing or collection of samples for testing. In the case of an <span class="dictionary">inspection warrant</span> based upon legislative or administrative standards for selecting buildings, structures, property or premises for inspections, the <span class="dictionary">affidavit</span> shall contain factual <span class="dictionary">allegations</span> sufficient to justify an independent determination by the <span class="dictionary">judge</span> or <span class="dictionary">magistrate</span> that the inspection program is based on reasonable standards and that the standards are being applied to a particular place in a neutral and fair manner. The issuing <span class="dictionary">judge</span> or <span class="dictionary">magistrate</span> may examine the affiant under <span class="dictionary">oath</span> or affirmation to verify the accuracy of any matter in the <span class="dictionary">affidavit</span>. After issuing the warrant, the <span class="dictionary">judge</span> or <span class="dictionary">magistrate</span> shall file the <span class="dictionary">affidavit</span> in the manner prescribed by &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Affidavit preliminary to issuance of search warrant; general search warrant prohibited; effect of failure to file affidavit" href="/19.2-54/">19.2-54</a>.</p></section></text><history>1988, c. 549; 2014, c. 354.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
