Cranston, RI Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Cranston Code Ch. 15.12, Housing Standards
- Order to vacate
- Within 60 days of compliance order
- Demolition threshold
- Repair cost over 50% assessed value
- City lien surcharge
- 10% service charge added to costs
- Enforcing officer
- Director of building inspections
Summary
Cranston's director of building inspections condemns any dwelling as unfit for occupancy when it lacks basic sanitation or ventilation, is overcrowded or dangerous, or is decayed, damaged, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe or infested to a serious hazard level.
Any dwelling or dwelling unit which shall be found by the director to have any of the following defects shall be condemned as unfit for continued occupancy and human habitation and shall be so designated by the director:
A. One which according to the provisions of Sections 5.12.640 to 5.12.720 and Section 15.12.740 is so lacking in sanitation, heating, lighting or ventilation facilities that it creates a serious hazard to the health or safety of the occupants or of the public.
B. One which according to the provisions of Section 15.12.730, and which because of its general condition, number of occupants, or location, is so unsanitary, overcrowded or otherwise dangerous or detrimental that it creates a serious hazard to the health or safety of the occupants or of the public.
C. One which according to the provisions of Section 15.12.750 is so decayed, damaged, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe or infested that it creates a serious hazard to the health or safety of the occupants or of the public. (Prior code § 14-29)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4824304; v14 updated 2026-05-18).
Full Breakdown
Under Cranston Code of Ordinances Chapter 15.12 (Housing Standards), the director of building inspections condemns a dwelling as unfit for continued occupancy when it lacks basic sanitation, heating, lighting or ventilation, is overcrowded or dangerous, or is decayed, damaged, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe or infested (§ 15.12.320). A condemned property is placarded and ordered vacated within 60 days (§ 15.12.350). If the owner does not comply, the director may board the structure, demolish it at the owner's expense when repairs would cost more than half the assessed value, or make repairs directly and place a lien plus a 10% service charge on the property (§§ 15.12.390, 15.12.400, 15.12.440). Owners may appeal to the housing board of review.
Violations & Fines
Condemned dwellings must be vacated within 60 days; unresolved violations let the city demolish or repair at the owner's expense and place a lien plus 10% service charge on the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides if a Cranston building is condemned?
What happens if a condemned Cranston property isn't fixed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cranston
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Property Blight in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle property blight.