Occupancy Limits: Cranston vs East Providence
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Cranston, RI and East Providence, RI?
Cranston and East Providence have similar restriction levels.
Cranston, RI
Providence County
Cranston does not set a fixed numeric guest cap in its STR rules. Instead, the city requires owners to post a notice inside the unit that states the property's dwelling occupancy limits along with rules for noise, pets, trash, parking, and snow removal. Rentals under 30 days are zoned as a hotel/motel use, which is not allowed in every district.
View full Cranston rules →East Providence, RI
Providence County
East Providence's Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 19 of the City Code) requires owner-occupancy for short-term rentals under 28 days but does not set a numeric per-bedroom guest cap. Operators are bound by the household definition in Sec. 19-1 (no more than four unrelated persons), the dwelling-unit standards of the Rhode Island State Building Code (SBC-1), and the maximum occupancy declared on the Section 19-103 Temporary Use Permit application.
View full East Providence rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Cranston | East Providence |
|---|---|---|
| City Guest Cap | None numeric in code | - |
| STR Threshold | Under 30 days = hotel/motel use | - |
| Zoning Authority | Cranston Code Title 17 | - |
| State Registration | RI DBR (RIGL 42-63.1-14) | - |
| ADU as STR | Prohibited (RIGL 42-24-73(b)(8)) | - |
| Required Posting | Occupancy, noise, parking, trash, snow | - |
| State Lodging Tax | RIGL Ch. 44-18 applies | - |
| Local Code Section | - | Sec. 19-103 Temporary Use |
| STR Definition | - | Less than 28 days |
| Owner Occupancy | - | Required (full time) |
| Household Cap | - | 4 unrelated persons (Sec. 19-1) |
| State Registry | - | RIGL 42-63.1-14 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Cranston FAQ
How many guests can stay at a Cranston short-term rental?
Cranston does not publish a numeric guest cap. Owners must post the dwelling's occupancy limit inside the unit, and renting a single-family home for under 30 days is treated as a hotel/motel use, which is only allowed in certain zoning districts.
Do I have to register with the state in addition to the city?
Yes. Under R.I. Gen. Laws Section 42-63.1-14, any STR listed on a third-party platform such as Airbnb or Vrbo must register annually with the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation. The state fee is separate from any Cranston rental-registration fee.
Can I run a short-term rental from my ADU in Cranston?
No. As of June 25, 2024, R.I. Gen. Laws Section 42-24-73(b)(8) prohibits accessory dwelling units from being offered or rented for tourist or transient use, including through a hosting platform.
East Providence FAQ
How many guests can stay in an East Providence short-term rental?
East Providence has not adopted a per-bedroom occupancy formula in Chapter 19. The enforceable cap is the maximum occupancy declared on the Section 19-103 Temporary Use Permit application, subject to the Sec. 19-1 household definition limiting unrelated occupants to four and the Rhode Island State Building Code sleeping-room standards.
Do I need to live in my East Providence Airbnb full time?
Yes. The May 2020 amendment to Section 19-103 requires owner-occupancy for any rental of less than 28 days. The owner must live in the property full time and obtain an annual Temporary Use Permit that automatically expires January 1 each year.
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