Cranston, RI Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)
Key Facts
- Authority
- Cranston Code § 15.12.315
- Targets
- Chronic code-violation properties
- Penalty
- $50/day continuing violation
- Members
- Building inspector, planning dir, mayor, council
- Remedy
- Receivership petition in municipal court
Summary
Cranston runs a public nuisance task force under Code § 15.12.315 that proactively investigates residential properties with chronic code violations and repeated police or fire calls, pushing owners toward an abatement plan or municipal court action.
The public Cranston nuisance task force is established. The purpose and primary goal of the task force is to work with the property owners to establish a plan to abate identified nuisances in a timely manner through a collaborative effort of task force members and the property owner(s). Where there is ineffective cooperation from a property owner(s), the task force may review appropriate legal remedies to abate the nuisance, including, but not limited to, filing a receivership petition in the municipal court.
B. Members. The members of the public nuisance task force shall consist of the following members:
1. The director of the building inspections or his or her designee within the division of minimum housing.
2. The director of the planning department or his or her designee.
3. The mayor or his or her designee.
4. The city council person as appointed from the majority party.
5. A city council person as appointed from the minority party.
6. And other persons or agencies deemed necessary by the task force members.
C.
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
Cranston's public nuisance task force (Cranston Code of Ordinances § 15.12.315) targets residential properties with ongoing, chronic code violations and repeated police, fire, or emergency-service calls. The panel, the building inspector, planning director, mayor, and one council member from each party, investigates by reviewing police reports and code and fire-safety violations, then gives the owner 10 days to submit an abatement plan. If cooperation fails, the city solicitor may sue in municipal court to abate the nuisance, including filing a receivership petition, and can seek a fine for each day the violation continues.
Violations & Fines
Ineffective owner cooperation lets the city solicitor sue in municipal court, including a receivership petition, plus a fine of $50.00 for each day the violation continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggers a nuisance task force review in Cranston?
What happens if the owner won't cooperate with the task force?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cranston
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Inspection Programs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle inspection programs.