Rhode Island RIGL §42-85 (Outdoor Lighting Control Act) requires state-funded outdoor lighting to be full-cutoff shielded. Providence Code §27 zoning imposes shielding requirements on commercial fixtures. Residential rules focus on trespass rather than full dark-sky compliance.
Rhode Island's Outdoor Lighting Control Act (RIGL §42-85) requires all state-funded outdoor lighting installed or replaced to use full-cutoff fixtures that emit zero light above the horizontal plane, with limited exceptions. This applies to RI DOT roadways, state buildings, and state-funded municipal projects. Providence Zoning Ordinance Article 14 §1404 and Cranston Zoning §17.72 apply shielding standards to commercial, industrial, and multi-family development through the site plan review process. Parking lot lighting is typically capped at 20-25 feet pole height with full-cutoff fixtures and maximum 0.5 footcandle spillover at residential property lines. Residential outdoor lighting is largely unregulated unless it creates nuisance-level trespass. Rhode Island is home to active International Dark-Sky Association chapters, and Frosty Drew Observatory in Charlestown advocates statewide. LED color temperature of 3000K or below is recommended by AMA guidelines and encouraged by RI DEM for wildlife-sensitive areas.
Non-compliant commercial fixtures: zoning enforcement, 30-day correction notice, then fines $100-$500 per day under Providence Code §27. Site plan violations: certificate of occupancy withheld. State-project violations under §42-85: state funding withheld.
Providence County, RI
Rhode Island does not set statewide barking dog standards. Providence County has no county government. Barking dog complaints are handled by individual munic...
Providence County, RI
RIGL 31-42 governs abandoned motor vehicles statewide. Vehicles left 10 or more days in commercial garages after notice are deemed abandoned. Individual muni...
Providence County, RI
Providence County cities prohibit sidewalk blocking and unpaved front-yard parking. Providence Code §23-21 and Cranston Code require paved driveway surfaces....
Providence County, RI
RIGL 34-10-9 requires partition fences to run on the dividing line with each owner maintaining one-half and costs shared equally unless otherwise agreed. RIG...
Providence County, RI
RI State Building Code (SBC-1) exempts fences under 6 feet from building permits, but Providence County cities require zoning permits for most new fences. Hi...
Providence County, RI
Urban Providence County cities (Providence, Central Falls, Pawtucket) restrict or prohibit backyard chickens. Smithfield, Lincoln, Cumberland, and Johnston a...
See how Foster Center's dark sky rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.