Cranston does not set a fixed numeric guest cap in its STR rules. Instead, the city requires owners to post a notice inside the unit that states the property's dwelling occupancy limits along with rules for noise, pets, trash, parking, and snow removal. Rentals under 30 days are zoned as a hotel/motel use, which is not allowed in every district.
Cranston regulates short-term rentals primarily through its rental-registration framework administered by the Building Inspector's Office and through Title 17 (Zoning) of the Code of Ordinances. The code treats the rental of a single-family dwelling for less than 30 consecutive days as a hotel or motel use; that use is permitted only in the zoning districts where hotels/motels are allowed under Chapter 17.20, so STR activity in single-family residential zones is restricted at the zoning level rather than by a guest-count formula. Owners who do operate a registered rental must post a notice inside the unit that summarizes city regulations on noise, pets, trash disposal, parking, dwelling occupancy limits, and snow removal, but the city does not publish a uniform persons-per-bedroom or maximum-guest figure in code. State law layers on top of the local rule: under R.I. Gen. Laws Section 42-63.1-14, any short-term rental property listed on a third-party hosting platform must register annually with the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, and Section 42-24-73(b)(8) (effective June 25, 2024) prohibits accessory dwelling units from being offered for tourist or transient use through a hosting platform. Sales- and lodging-tax obligations under R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 44-18 also apply to STR stays of 30 nights or fewer.
Operating a sub-30-day rental in a zoning district where hotel/motel use is not permitted is a zoning violation enforceable by the Cranston Building Inspector through stop-use orders, citations, and abatement. Failure to register with the Rhode Island DBR carries graduated state penalties under R.I. Gen. Laws Section 42-63.1-14(i): up to $250 for days 1-30 of non-compliance, up to $500 for days 31-60, and up to $1,000 per day after day 60. Renting an ADU as an STR violates Section 42-24-73(b)(8). Failure to post the required interior notice can also support a city code-enforcement action.
Cranston, RI
Cranston regulates construction noise under Chapter 8.20. Construction activities must comply with the 55 dBA residential limit when measured at the property...
Cranston, RI
Cranston Title 6 (Animals) and noise ordinance Ch. 8.20 address animal noise. Habitual barking or howling constitutes a noise disturbance subject to the diso...
Cranston, RI
Cranston Code Title 8, Chapter 8.20 sets residential noise limits at 55 dBA between 7 AM and 10 PM measured at the property line. Amplified sound equipment m...
Cranston, RI
Cranston regulates amplified music and events. Permits required for public amplification. Residential areas must comply with local noise ordinances.
Cranston, RI
Cranston requires Residential Parking Permits for overnight street parking, limited to two permits per address. Only RI-registered vehicles qualify. All outs...
Cranston, RI
Cranston regulates RV and recreational vehicle storage through zoning (Title 17) and parking ordinances (Title 10). Extended on-street storage is restricted....
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