Occupancy Limits: Foster Center vs Pawtucket
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Foster Center, RI and Pawtucket, RI?
Pawtucket has fewer restrictions than Foster Center.
Foster Center, RI
Providence County
Rhode Island sets no statewide STR occupancy limits. Providence County has no county government. Occupancy limits for short-term rentals are regulated by individual municipalities based on building code capacity, fire code, and local zoning. The Rhode Island Fire Safety Code (RIGL Title 23, Ch. 28.1-28.39) establishes maximum occupancy standards for habitable spaces that apply statewide.
View full Foster Center rules →Pawtucket, RI
Providence County
Pawtucket's published Code of Ordinances does not contain a short-term-rental ordinance setting a per-bedroom occupancy cap. STR operators are bound by the statewide registry under R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-63.1-14, the State Building Code (SBC-1, based on the IBC/IRC), and the Rhode Island Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code (R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 45-24.3) sleeping-room standards.
View full Pawtucket rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Foster Center | Pawtucket |
|---|---|---|
| County Limit | None — no county government | - |
| State Occupancy Limit | Per fire/building code | - |
| Regulation Level | Municipal only | - |
| Fire Code | RI Fire Safety Code applies | - |
| Local STR Ordinance | - | None in Pawtucket Code |
| State Registry | - | R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-63.1-14 |
| Registry Fee | - | $25 per calendar year |
| Trigger | - | Rentals 30 nights or fewer |
| Building Code | - | RI SBC-1 (IBC/IRC-based) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Foster Center FAQ
How many guests can stay in my short-term rental?
Typically 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests. Check Providence County municipal code for exact limits.
What happens if guests exceed the occupancy limit?
The host is responsible. Violations can result in fines and potential permit revocation in Providence County.
Pawtucket FAQ
How many guests can stay in a Pawtucket short-term rental?
Pawtucket's Code of Ordinances does not set a per-bedroom STR occupancy formula. The practical cap is the room count and intended use (entire space, private room, or shared space) you declare on the Rhode Island DBR Short-Term Rental registration under R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-63.1-14, subject to the minimum sleeping-room sizes and egress requirements in the Rhode Island State Building Code (SBC-1) and Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code (R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 45-24.3).
Do I need to register a Pawtucket Airbnb with anyone?
Yes. Even though Pawtucket does not have a local STR licensing ordinance, R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-63.1-14 requires every property listed for 30 nights or fewer on a third-party platform like Airbnb or Vrbo to be registered with the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation. The fee is $25 per calendar year, and operators that fail to register face $250 to $1,000 in escalating civil fines.
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