Providence, RI Accessory Structures: ADU Rental Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- ADUs per lot
- one, in residential districts
- Short-term rental use
- not permitted in ADU
- Size cap
- 60% of principal GFA
- Bedroom cap
- two bedrooms max
Summary
Providence allows one accessory dwelling unit per lot in residential districts, but the zoning ordinance flatly bars renting that ADU out short-term.
One accessory dwelling unit per lot shall be permitted in all residential districts under the following circumstances:
1. An accessory dwelling unit may be located within the principal structure, in a permitted outbuilding, or in a detached garage per Section 1302.J.
2. The accessory dwelling unit shall be attached to a foundation and shall not be mobile.
3. An accessory dwelling unit is limited in size to whichever is less: 60% of the gross floor area of the principal dwelling, or 900 sf GFA for a studio or one-bedroom accessory dwelling unit, or 1,200 sf GFA for a two-bedroom accessory dwelling unit. No accessory dwelling unit may have more than two bedrooms.
4. The existence of an accessory dwelling unit does not change the principal use of the property. For example, a single-family dwelling with an accessory dwelling unit is classified as a single-family dwelling.
5. An accessory dwelling unit is considered part of a dwelling for the purpose of determining the number of college students that may occupy the dwelling.
6. Short-term rentals are not permitted within accessory dwelling units.
City of Providence 13-14 Zoning Ordinance
Full Breakdown
Under Section 1302.U of the zoning ordinance, a homeowner may add one accessory dwelling unit per lot in any residential district, inside the main house, a permitted outbuilding, or a detached garage. The unit must sit on a permanent foundation, cannot exceed 60% of the principal dwelling's floor area (capped at 900 sf for a studio/one-bedroom or 1,200 sf for a two-bedroom), and is capped at two bedrooms. The ordinance then draws a hard line on use: short-term rentals are not permitted within accessory dwelling units, so an ADU can be leased long-term but not booked out nightly or weekly.
Violations & Fines
Renting an ADU as a short-term rental violates Section 1302.U's use restriction; the property remains subject to zoning enforcement, and an ADU built or leased outside these standards loses its permitted-accessory-use status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent my Providence ADU on Airbnb?
How big can a Providence ADU be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Providence
Compare Providence to another location·View the Rhode Island accessory structures overview
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ADU Rental Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle adu rental restrictions.