Providence, RI HOA Rules: Architectural Review (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 15-133
- Decision deadline
- 60 days, written denial required
- No response by deadline
- Application deemed approved
- Applies to
- Condo, co-op, HOA alteration review
- Fee limit
- Only a reasonable processing fee
Summary
Providence caps how long a homeowners association can sit on an architectural-review application for an EV charging station: decide in writing within 60 days or it's automatically approved.
An association may require an owner to submit an application before installing an electric vehicle charging station...the application shall be processed and approved by the association in the same manner as an application for approval of all other alterations to the property, and shall not be willfully avoided or delayed...If an application is not denied in writing within sixty (60) days from the date of receipt of the application, the application shall be deemed approved.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 7).
Full Breakdown
Under City Code § 15-133, an association can require owners to submit an alteration application before installing an EV charging station, but it must process that application the same way it handles any other alteration request and can't stall it. The board must approve if the owner meets its normal alteration standards, put any denial in writing, and if it doesn't deny in writing within 60 days of receipt, the application is automatically deemed approved (absent a reasonable request for more information). The association also can't charge more than a reasonable processing fee unless it does so for all alteration applications.
Violations & Fines
An HOA that ignores or indefinitely delays a compliant EV-charger application past the 60-day written-denial deadline loses its veto: the installation is deemed approved by operation of the ordinance regardless of board inaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Providence HOA just refuse to answer an EV charger application?
Can the HOA charge a special fee for reviewing an EV charger request?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Providence
Compare Providence to another location·View the Rhode Island hoa rules overview
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