What areas may be inspected under TABC §101.04 without a warrant?

• A. Only the public areas of the premises.
• B. Any part of the licensed premises, including storage areas, restrooms, and employee-only sections—if they are under licensee control.
• C. Only the main bar area.
• D. Only exterior grounds.

Answer: (B)

The area of inspection without a warrant covers any part of the licensed premises that the licensee controls. This means inspectors can enter not just public spaces but also places inside the licensed site that the licensee uses to run the business—storage rooms, restrooms, and employee-only areas—so long as those spaces are within the licensed premises and under the licensee’s control. The important point is that the area is on the licensed property and the licensee has management access to it. That’s why the correct option includes all such areas, not just the public or main sections.

The other options are too narrow: restricting inspections to only the public areas, only the main bar area, or only exterior grounds misses areas that are still part of the licensed premises and under the licensee’s control, such as storage rooms or employee spaces.