How Providence Handles HOA Rules: A Practical Guide
Providence maintains 155 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with hoa rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Providence falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Architectural Review
Providence caps how long a homeowners association can sit on an architectural-review application for an EV charging station: decide in writing within 60 days or it's automatically approved.
Key details: Governing section: City Code § 15-133. Decision deadline: 60 days, written denial required. No response by deadline: Application deemed approved. Applies to: Condo, co-op, HOA alteration review. Fee limit: Only a reasonable processing fee.
An HOA that ignores or indefinitely delays a compliant EV-charger application past the 60-day written-denial deadline loses its veto: the installation is deemed approved by operation of the ordinance regardless of board inaction.
CC&R Enforcement
City ordinance bars Providence homeowners' and condo associations from prohibiting EV charging stations, letting them impose only reasonable installation conditions.
Key details: Governing section: Code of Ordinances § 15-133. Application deadline: 60 days or deemed approved. Installer requirement: Licensed contractor/electrician, permit. Cost responsibility: Owner pays install and repair.
An association that flatly bans or indefinitely stalls an EV charging application is not enforcing a valid restriction: the owner can install once 60 days pass without a written denial, and the association bears no removal or damage costs beyond what this section assigns to the owner.
The Bottom Line
Providence's hoa rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Providence is broadly strict or permissive.
All of the above reflects Providence's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.