Warwick, RI Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

Article XIV of Chapter 26 is Warwick's rodent-control law, running from Section 26-411 to Section 26-420. Section 26-411 defines the key terms: 'rat harborage' as any condition that shelters or favors rodent multiplication, 'ratproofing' as construction that treats openings in walls, floors, basements, roofs, and foundations with material rodents cannot gnaw through, and 'rat eradication' as poisoning, fumigation, trapping, or clubbing that fully clears a building of rodents. Section 26-412 makes it unlawful for an owner or occupant to maintain rodent-infested premises or let premises become infested.

Section 26-413 has required ratproofing on any building erected, repaired, altered, or extended since November 19, 1953. The building inspector may inspect any premises with good reason to believe it isn't ratproof under Section 26-414, and if premises are found infested, Section 26-415 requires a dated, signed written notice describing the condition and the required corrections, served under Section 26-416 by a building-department employee, police officer, or city sergeant, or by registered mail. Section 26-417 then obligates the owner or occupant to take immediate corrective measures, whether eradication, ratproofing, or other necessary action.

Section 26-418 bars removing, damaging, or destroying ratproofing safeguards, except where lawful construction work requires temporary interference that is promptly restored. Section 26-419 separately bans depositing garbage, rubbish, old lumber, filth, or other rat-harborage material on vacant lots, alleys, sidewalks, streets, or private or public ground without the consent of the director of public works. Section 26-420 sets the penalty, cross-referenced to the citywide general penalty in Section 1-4, and treats every 24-hour period of a continuing violation as a separate offense.