East Providence, RI Accessory Structures: Carport Rules (2026)

Carports in East Providence are treated as accessory structures under Chapter 19 of the City Code. Section 19-1 defines an accessory structure as a structure located on the same lot as a principal use but separate from the principal building, devoted to an accessory use, and explicitly states the structure shall not be located between the public right-of-way and the principal use and shall be no greater than 50 percent of the gross floor area of the principal use. Section 19-144 contains the operative accessory-buildings-and-structures rules, and Section 19-136 (Article IV, Division 2) sets the minimum setback measurements that apply to detached accessory buildings, side yards (Sec. 19-138), and rear yards. An attached carport is treated as part of the principal structure and must meet the front, side, and rear setbacks for the underlying residence district. A detached carport must satisfy the accessory-structure side and rear setbacks for that zone and sit on the same lot as the principal dwelling. Building, electrical, and structural permits are administered by the East Providence Building Department under the Rhode Island State Building Code (SBC-1, currently based on the 2018 IBC/IRC). Properties near the Providence River or Narragansett Bay may also trigger Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) review. Variances from setback or dimensional standards are heard by the East Providence Zoning Board of Review under R.I. Gen. Laws 45-24-41.