Public Health Rules in Providence, RI (2026)
4 verified public health rules for Providence, Rhode Island, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Restaurant Grade Cards
Providence's health department inspects every restaurant at least once every three months, and the inspector's report must be left on-site and made available to any patron who asks to see it.
Providence Restaurant Inspection Reports Posted
Some RestrictionsProvidence Code of Ordinances § 10-31
At least once every three (3) months the superintendent of health shall cause to be inspected by such deputies or inspectors as he shall appoint for that purpose, every restaurant located within the city. One (1) copy of the inspector's report shall be left with the person in charge of the restaurant, which copy shall be made available to any and all patrons and shall not be disposed of or remo...
Rodent Control
Providence treats rodent-infested property as a public nuisance. Once the director of public works finds infestation, the owner gets 72 hours to abate it or the city does the work and liens the property.
Providence's 72-Hour Rodent Abatement Order
Some RestrictionsProvidence Code of Ordinances § 12-111
The owner of any premises which allows said premises to be infested by rodents or other vermin shall be deemed to have created an unsanitary condition and a nuisance. Premises shall be rebuttably deemed to be "infested by rodents," whenever an inspection of the premises reveals rodent holes, droppings, carcasses or other evidence, that manifests based on the totality of the circumstances, the e...
Bed-Bug Rules
Rhode Island law requires landlords to remediate bed bug infestations in rental units and prohibits leasing a unit known to be infested; Providence enforces through its Lead-Safe and Healthy Housing inspections.
Bed Bug Disclosure and Treatment in Rental Housing
Some RestrictionsR.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-22
A landlord shall...Make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition; Keep all common areas of the premises in a clean and safe condition; Maintain in good and safe working order and condition all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and other facilities and appliances. Rhode Island's Residential Landlo...
Food Handler Certification
Anyone preparing or serving food in Providence's restaurants, lunch stands, and soda fountains must hold a health certificate issued by the superintendent of health before working.
Food Handler Health Certificate in Providence
Some Restrictions§ 10-7
No person without the certificate hereinafter provided shall be engaged in the preparation or serving of food or drink in any licensed victualling house or tavern, or in any lunch stand, ice cream parlor, lunch wagon, soda water fountain or other public eating place where food or drink is provided in the city. (Ord. 1929, ch. 712, § 1; Rev. Ords. 1946, ch. 14, § 2) State Law reference— He...