Providence County municipalities require grading permits for excavation/fill over 50 cubic yards under Providence Code §23 and RI State Building Code. Drainage cannot be redirected onto neighboring properties. Retaining walls over 4 ft need engineered plans.
Grading and drainage in Providence County are regulated by the Rhode Island State Building Code (SBC-1, incorporating IBC Appendix J) and municipal engineering standards. Providence Department of Inspection and Standards requires a grading permit for cut or fill exceeding 50 cubic yards, change of drainage pattern, or slope steeper than 1:2. Cranston Code §17.20 and Pawtucket Building Code follow similar thresholds. Under Rhode Island common law (Kinder v. Goodyear, Butler v. Bruno, 341 A.2d 735), the reasonable-use rule governs surface water: a property owner cannot artificially collect and discharge water in concentrated form onto neighboring land. Post-construction grade must direct water away from foundations (minimum 6 inches of fall over 10 feet per IRC R401.3). Retaining walls over 4 feet (measured bottom of footing to top of wall) require engineered design and a building permit per IRC R404. Compaction testing per ASTM D1557 required for structural fill supporting buildings.
Unpermitted grading: stop-work order and fines $250-$2,500 under Providence Code §23. Redirecting drainage to adjoining land: civil nuisance suit plus municipal enforcement. Retaining wall collapse from improper engineering: personal injury liability and remediation costs.
Cranston, RI
Cranston regulates construction noise under Chapter 8.20. Construction activities must comply with the 55 dBA residential limit when measured at the property...
Cranston, RI
Cranston Title 6 (Animals) and noise ordinance Ch. 8.20 address animal noise. Habitual barking or howling constitutes a noise disturbance subject to the diso...
Cranston, RI
Cranston Code Title 8, Chapter 8.20 sets residential noise limits at 55 dBA between 7 AM and 10 PM measured at the property line. Amplified sound equipment m...
Cranston, RI
Cranston regulates amplified music and events. Permits required for public amplification. Residential areas must comply with local noise ordinances.
Cranston, RI
Cranston requires Residential Parking Permits for overnight street parking, limited to two permits per address. Only RI-registered vehicles qualify. All outs...
Cranston, RI
Cranston regulates RV and recreational vehicle storage through zoning (Title 17) and parking ordinances (Title 10). Extended on-street storage is restricted....
See how Cranston's grading & drainage rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.