What is an “administrative search”?

An administrative search is primarily conducted by regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with specific regulations rather than to gather evidence for criminal prosecution. These searches are typically related to health, safety, and welfare regulations—such as inspections of businesses, environmental compliance assessments, or building code compliance. The focus is on whether an entity or individual adheres to set standards rather than proving a crime occurred.

This type of search has distinct legal standards and less stringent requirements compared to criminal searches, as they often don't require a warrant or probable cause. Instead, administrative searches can be justified through the need for regulatory inspection and compliance purposes. This reflects how governmental interests in maintaining public safety and regulatory compliance can necessitate access to certain areas or information without the same level of suspicion that would be needed in criminal cases.