Rhode Island Land Use Law

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Overview

New and Revised Laws of Interest

The Statewide Planning Program monitors state legislation for bills pertaining to planning, development, and other topics of interest to planners and local government. This information is presented under Legislative Monitoring.  Additionally, we relay guidance to municipalities on various aspect of the land use laws and court decisions through our Municipal Memos, found below.

Enabling Legislation

Local planning is governed by a series of state laws which enable communities to plan and regulate the built environment.  These laws, and related laws of interest can be accessed through the RI Land Use Laws menu below.

Primary Resources

Local planning is governed by a series of state laws which enable communities to plan and regulate the built environment. 

All of these laws can be found in this legislative handbook, which is fully linked and searchable.

• Rhode Island General Laws related to Land Use and Planning

Planning Boards and Commissions

• Local Planning Board or Commission (45-22)
• Joint Municipal Planning Commissions (45-22.1)

Comprehensive Planning

• Rhode Island Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Regulation Act (45-22.2)

Zoning

• Rhode Island Zoning Enabling Act (45-24)
• Airport Zoning Act (1-3)
• Historical Area Zoning (45-24.1)

Subdivision and Land Development

• Rhode Island Land Development and Subdivision Review Enabling Act (45-23)
• Mapped Streets (45-23.1)

Other Relevant Statutes

• Rhode Island Low and Moderate Income Housing Act (45-53)
• Conservation Commissions (45-35)
• Soil Erosion and Sediment Control (45-46)
• Open Meetings Law (42-46)
• Recording of Instruments (34-13)

Staff Contact

RI Division of Planning

One Capitol Hill, 3rd Floor

Providence, RI 02908

Phone: (401) 222-7901

State of Rhode Island

Department of Administration

Division of Statewide Planning

Rhode Island's Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)