Building Setbacks & Zoning in Rhode Island (2026)

8 rules on the books across Rhode Island, 3 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.

Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions

Setback Rules

How far structures must be from property lines, streets, and other buildings. Different setbacks apply to front, side, and rear yards.

Pawtucket sets front, side, and rear yard setbacks by zone in Chapter 410's dimensional table: 18 feet front and 8 feet…

Front-yard setbacks in Providence's residential zones follow a build-to average of neighboring lots, while interior…

Warwick's zoning ordinance sets minimum front, side, and rear yard setbacks by district in Table 2A for residential…

Maximum building heights allowed by zoning, including how height is measured and exceptions for chimneys, antennas, and rooftop equipment.

Pawtucket caps most one- and two-family homes at 30 feet to the roof peak, with accessory structures like garages…

Detached single-family homes in Providence's R-1 and R-1A districts top out at 40 feet and three stories, dropping to…

Warwick caps building height at 35 feet in every residential district under Table 2A, and Table 2B sets nonresidential…

The maximum percentage of your lot that can be covered by buildings and impervious surfaces like driveways and patios.

Pawtucket's zoning table caps lot coverage at 30% in most one- and two-family residential zones, 50% for Commercial…

In Providence's R-1A single-family zone, buildings may cover no more than 35% of the lot, and total impervious surface…