Building Setbacks & Zoning in Pawtucket, RI (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Pawtucket, Rhode Island, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Pawtucket sets front, side, and rear yard setbacks by zone in Chapter 410's dimensional table: 18 feet front and 8 feet side in the Residential Single-Family zone, down to zero feet in the Commercial Downtown zone. A separate corner-lot rule requires an 8-foot clear triangle at intersections, and porches may project six feet into a required yard.
Pawtucket Yard Setback Requirements
Some RestrictionsPawtucket City Code § 410-44, § 410-52, § 410-53, and § 410-55
Minimum Yard Setback Line Maximum Height of Structures Front (feet) Side (feet) Rear feet) Main* (feet) Accessory (feet) ... Residential Single-Family Zone One-family dwelling Existing lots: 0; new lots: 5,000 50 30% 18 8 25 30 15 ... An open, unenclosed stairway, balcony, bulkhead, porch, deck, platform or landing place which, except for the roof, does not extend above the level of the first f...
Structure Height Limits
Pawtucket caps most one- and two-family homes at 30 feet to the roof peak, with accessory structures like garages limited to 15 feet, under the Zoning Ordinance's dimensional table in Chapter 410. Multifamily buildings in the Residential Elevator zone can rise to 105 feet for units beyond the first four, and the Zoning Board can grant a special use permit up to 40 feet elsewhere.
Pawtucket Residential Building Height Limits
Some RestrictionsPawtucket City Code § 410-44 (Enumeration) and § 410-59H (Permitted special uses)
Zone and Use / Minimum Lot Size (square feet) / Minimum Lot Frontage (feet) / Maximum Lot Coverage (percent) / Minimum Yard Setback Line / Maximum Height of Structures / ... Main* (feet) Accessory (feet) / Residential ... Single-Family Zone One-family dwelling Existing lots: 0; new lots: 5,000 50 30% 18 8 25 30 15 ... Dwelling unit after first 4, per dwelling unit 1,600 75 30% 20 20 20 105 15 ....
Lot Coverage Limits
Pawtucket's zoning table caps lot coverage at 30% in most one- and two-family residential zones, 50% for Commercial Local and General uses, 80% in the Industrial Built-Up zone, and 100% in the Commercial Downtown zone, under Chapter 410's dimensional table. A special use permit can add another 10% where extra parking is provided.
Pawtucket Maximum Lot Coverage Rules
Some RestrictionsPawtucket City Code § 410-44 and § 410-59G
Maximum Lot Coverage (percent) ... Residential Single-Family Zone One-family dwelling Existing lots: 0; new lots: 5,000 50 30% ... Commercial Downtown Zone Existing lots 0; New lots: 2,500 25 100% ... Industrial Built-Up Zone Existing lots: 0; new lots: 10,000 75 80% ... Maximum lot coverage. The permitting authority may allow an additional 10% lot coverage above the maximum lot coverage specif...