Environmental Rules in Warwick, RI (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Warwick, Rhode Island, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Warwick requires a Rhode Island licensed professional engineer to prepare a stormwater management plan for every development project under Chapter 68, tied to the state's RIPDES small MS4 permit. Plans must control peak discharge for storms up to the 100-year event and include a recorded maintenance agreement.
Warwick Stormwater Management Plan Rules
Some RestrictionsWarwick, R.I. Code of Ordinances §§ 68-2, 68-8
The ordinance is written to work in conjunction with the Rhode Island department of environmental management's General Permit Rhode Island Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Storm Water Discharge from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems and from Industrial Activity at Eligible Facilities Operated by Regulated Small MS4s. ... All applicants are required to develop and submit a storm...
Erosion Control
Warwick requires anyone disturbing vegetation, grades, or land contours for a development project to get a permit from the building official before work starts. Chapter 68 exempts small home additions and minor excavations, and violators face fines up to $250 per day plus revocation of plan approval.
Warwick Erosion Control Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsWarwick, R.I. Code of Ordinances §§ 68-3, 68-4
This chapter shall apply to all development and re-development occurring within the city. No person shall engage in development projects without receiving approval from the building official, unless specifically exempted by section 68-4 of this chapter. ... It shall be unlawful for any person to disturb any existing vegetation, grades, and contours of land without first applying for and receivi...
Flood Zones
Warwick requires a development permit from the building official before any grading, filling, dredging, building or excavation in the flood hazard overlay district, which covers the 100-year floodplain zones AE and VE. The permit application must show site elevations and a FEMA elevation certificate.
Warwick Flood Hazard Overlay Permit
Some RestrictionsWarwick Zoning Ordinance §§ 310.1-310.4, 310.7
310.2. Development permit required. Within the flood hazard overlay district defined in subsection 310.1, a development permit shall be obtained from the building official for any manmade change to improved or unimproved real estate including, but not limited to, mining, building or other structures, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations. ... 310.4. Floodway encr...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Warwick requires a building or development permit for any construction in a mapped special flood hazard area under City Code § 8-5, administered by the building official. In AO flood zones without a FEMA depth number, new or substantially improved structures must be elevated or flood-proofed at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade, and floodway encroachments that raise base flood levels are barred entirely.
Warwick Floodplain Elevation Requirements
Some RestrictionsCity Code § 8-5
Building permit. All proposed construction or other development within a special flood hazard area shall require a permit... Within zones AO on the FIRM, new and substantially improved residential structures shall have the top of the lowest floor at least as high as the FIRM's depth number above the highest adjacent grade and non-residential structures shall be elevated or flood-proofed above t...