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Building Safety in Pawtucket, RI (2026)

6 verified building safety rules for Pawtucket, Rhode Island, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Lead Paint

Pawtucket's Housing Code bans lead paint or other hazardous material on the interior surfaces of any dwelling unit, rooming house or facility under City Code § 247-107, naming window sills, frames, doors, walls, ceilings and chair-rails. When paint is loose, flaking, chipping or falling and a lead hazard is suspected, the enforcing officer must sample the surface and send it for lab analysis.

Pawtucket Interior Lead Paint Ban

Heavy Restrictions

Pawtucket City Code § 247-107

Lead paint or potentially hazardous material on the interior surfaces of any dwelling unit, rooming house, rooming unit or facility is prohibited. Such interior surfaces include but are not limited to window sills, window frames, doors, door frames, walls, ceilings, chair-rails and spindles or other appurtenances. ... In each instance where the interior surfaces exhibit a condition of loose, fl...

Childcare Center Rules

Pawtucket requires a special use permit before any day-care center can open, under Zoning Ordinance § 410-60AC. Operators must first prove state day-care licensing, then submit an engineer-stamped circulation plan showing outdoor recreation space sized to the center's full licensed capacity and a drop-off queuing lane equal to 5% of that capacity, plus signage, lighting and police-approved security plans.

Pawtucket Day-Care Center Zoning Rules

Some Restrictions

Pawtucket City Code § 410-60AC

AC. Day-care center. (1) The applicant shall provide proof of state licensing. (2) Circulation plans shall be submitted with the special use permit application, stamped by a Rhode Island licensed civil engineer, demonstrating: (a) Safe pedestrian and vehicular circulation. (b) Outdoor recreation space under the custody and control of the day-care center sufficient to hold the entire facility's ...

Building Permits

Pawtucket requires a permit before anyone erects, enlarges or alters a structure, or installs regulated plumbing, electrical or mechanical equipment. Fees follow the Rhode Island Building Code Commissioner's schedule, and building without a permit exposes the property owner to fines and a fast appeal clock.

Pawtucket Building Permit Requirements

Some Restrictions

Pawtucket City Code § 202-3

Any person, firm, corporation or other entity who erects, enlarges or alters a structure, or installs or alters any equipment. the installation of which is regulated by an applicable code, without first obtaining a building permit or permits for plumbing, electrical and mechanical from the City, or who removes or destroys without authority a cease and desist or stop work order. shall be subject...

Electrical Permits

Every electrical installation in Pawtucket must strictly conform to the Rhode Island State Building Code and city ordinances under City Code § 186-1. Homes need a minimum 100-amp service entrance, three- and four-family buildings need 150 amps, and five- and six-family buildings need 200 amps under § 186-3.

Pawtucket Electrical Work Code Standards

Some Restrictions

Pawtucket City Code § 186-1, § 186-3

No electrical construction or installation work shall be performed that does not strictly conform to the electrical standards currently in effect under the Rhode Island State Building Code, the laws of the state and the ordinances, rules and regulations of the City of Pawtucket. ... Service-entrance conductors shall have sufficient ampacity to carry the calculated design load in accordance with...

Plumbing Permits

Pawtucket requires anyone doing plumbing work or connecting to the city water system to hold a Rhode Island state plumbing license; no separate city trade license exists. The city has adopted the Plumbing Code in effect for design and installation of plumbing, sewage and water-supply systems, administered through the Division of Zoning and Code Enforcement.

Pawtucket Plumbing License and Code Adoption

Some Restrictions

Pawtucket City Code §§ 306-4, 306-5

No person shall carry on or engage in the plumbing business in the city, nor shall any person make any connection with the water system of the city, unless licensed by the State of Rhode Island. ... There is hereby adopted by the City of Pawtucket for the purpose of prescribing regulations governing the design and installation of plumbing systems, including sanitary and storm drainage, sanitary...

Building Inspections

The Division of Zoning and Code Enforcement covers one property inspection per calendar year at no charge to the owner. Additional inspections after a violation is found cost $50 each, and a failed building, electrical or plumbing inspection carries a $150 reinspection fee.

Pawtucket Building Inspection Fee Rules

Some Restrictions

Pawtucket City Code § 202-4

In the event of a failed inspection, a second inspection will be scheduled once the deficiencies addressed in the failed inspection are corrected. If the second inspection is failed a fee of $150 shall be charged for the necessary reinspection of the corrected work. The failed inspection fee shall be paid prior to the approval of the final reinspection.