Housing in Rhode Island local government
What Rhode Island city councils, county boards and school districts are deciding about housing — plain-English summaries written from official agendas and minutes, updated as meetings happen.
372 Rhode Island meetings since 2024 covered housing. Counts are directional — coverage varies by place and platform.
Places in Rhode Island with the most housing activity
- South Kingstown, RI (50)
- Westerly, RI (46)
- New Shoreham, RI (45)
- Coventry, RI (24)
- Smithfield, RI (22)
- City of Newport, RI (21)
- West Warwick, RI (20)
- Lincoln, RI (18)
- Portsmouth, RI (17)
- Johnston, RI (16)
- Johnston, RI (12)
- Exeter, RI (12)
Latest matching meetings
Public hearing on The Residences at Pocasset major land development
The Johnston Planning Board will consider a one‑year extension request for the Putnam Pike "Gateway" project and hold public hearings on several development proposals, including a minor subdivision on Shun Pike, a senior‑focused condo project on Plainfield Pike, and a major adaptive‑reuse residential development at…
Planning Board to review residential developments and street abandonment
The Planning Board will hold public hearings on a minor subdivision and a major land development project. The board will also discuss pre-applications for luxury condos and a lot subdivision, and provide an advisory opinion on a street abandonment request.
Zoning Board to consider dimensional variance for two-family home on Killingly St
The Johnston Zoning Board of Review will meet to discuss two requests for dimensional relief. These decisions determine whether property owners can deviate from standard zoning requirements to build or modify structures.
Affordable Housing Collaborative Committee to host RiverFire tabling session
The committee is meeting to conduct general business and coordinate an informational tabling session at the July 24th RiverFire event. The agenda otherwise consists of procedural items and staff updates.
HDC to consider HVAC conduit amendment for 81 Old North Road
The Historic District Commission will review a request to change the routing of HVAC conduits at 81 Old North Road. The body will also continue discussions on stone wall regulations and the Oliver Watson Homestead Housing Project.
Board will consider two variance applications for Eben Brown Lane and Foundry Street
The Central Falls Combined Planning and Zoning Board will discuss and possibly vote on two variance requests. One request seeks a use variance for a gazebo and open‑air kitchen at 45 Eben Brown Lane in the C‑2 zoning district. The other seeks multiple dimensional variances for a three‑unit dwelling at 63 Foundry…
Public hearing on Mishnock Woods plan for 400 new apartments on Tiogue Ave
The Planning Commission will hold public hearings on two development applications: an accessory dwelling unit by Jason & Ann Marie Therriault that requires a dimensional variance, and a master plan by Coventry Route 3 LLC for 400 multifamily residential units on a 27.31‑acre site at 1055 Tiogue Avenue. The Commission…
Planning Commission to review middle school and multi-family housing projects
The Planning Commission will hold public hearings and make decisions on several major land development projects. These include a new middle school and three residential developments on Post Road, as well as zoning amendments regarding data centers.
Town Council & Planning Commission review draft housing chapter
The joint workshop will review and discuss the draft housing chapter of the 2026 Comprehensive Plan. No votes or formal actions will be taken. Council and Planning Commission members may attend and provide feedback through presentations and interactive stations. Residents can view draft materials on the town website.
Review of Draft Housing Chapter of 2026 Comprehensive Plan
The Planning Commission and Town Council will hold a joint workshop to review the draft housing chapter of the 2026 Comprehensive Plan and related housing information. The workshop will feature presentations on statewide and local housing issues, interactive stations for feedback on proposed goals and policies, and…
Review of 400-unit Mishnock Woods multi-family development
The Technical Review Committee will discuss two proposals for comment to the Planning Commission. The first is an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) at 31 King Street requiring a dimensional variance for lot coverage. The second is a major 400-unit multi-family development at 1055 Tiogue Avenue, Mishnock Woods, with 25%…
Zoning Board to hear variance and special use permit requests
The Zoning Board of Review will hold a public hearing on July 22, 2026, to consider a variance for a home addition and a special use permit for a secondary dwelling. The meeting will take place at Town Hall in New Shoreham.
Council to consider new water rate schedule ordinance for 2026‑2027
The Westerly Town Council will discuss an emergency ordinance that sets water consumption restrictions and penalties for waste. It will also consider several proposed ordinances, including one that sets water rate schedules for the 2026‑2027 fiscal year, another that updates business registration fees and procedures…
Historic District Commission to review property alterations and new construction
The Historic District Commission will review several applications for property modifications in Newport. The board is deciding on requests for structural changes, additions, and material replacements for both contributing and non-contributing historic properties.
July 8, 2026 Zoning Board meeting canceled; variance applications noted
The Zoning Board meeting scheduled for July 8, 2026 was canceled. No public hearings or decisions will be taken at this time. The agenda lists two variance applications that are declared complete and are informational only. The next regular meeting is set for August 12, 2026.
Council to hold public hearing on CDBG grant for Mumford Manor repairs
The Newport City Council will hold a public hearing on a Community Development Block Grant application for Mumford Manor at 39 Farewell Street. The agenda includes consent items such as special event permits, waste hauler license renewals, and commission resignations. Action items cover parking changes on South…
Public hearing on The Residences at Pocasset major residential redevelopment
The Johnston Planning Board will hold a public hearing on a combined Preliminary and Master Plan for The Residences at Pocasset, proposing 25 market‑rate residential units on former commercial land. The board will also consider a one‑year extension request for the Master Plan Review of the Gateway project on Putnam…
Public hearing on a minor subdivision at 181 Shun Pike
The Planning Board will consider an old‑business request for a one‑year extension of the master plan review for the Putnam Pike “Gateway” project (AP 42 Lot 31). New business includes public hearings and pre‑application reviews for several development proposals, such as a minor subdivision at 181 Shun Pike (AP 43 Lot…
Public hearing on Amtrol Water Technology’s 80‑unit condo project at 1400 Division Rd
The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on a major land development application for 80 condominium units at 1400 Division Road, which includes a request to increase density by 20 units. The board will also consider a minor land development proposal to convert the Twisted Pizza building at 568 Providence Street…
Public hearing on CDBG application for Mumford Manor at 39 Farewell Street
The council will hold a public hearing on a Community Development Block Grant application for Mumford Manor (39 Farewell Street). Other action items include ordinance revisions for parking on South Baptist Street and one-way designation on Bridge Street, acceptance of a $321,600 FHWA grant for safety, and a contract…
Commission to discuss AI energy tool and workforce housing survey results
The Economic Development Commission will discuss a community energy program using an AI tool from Kilowant.com, review results of a workforce housing survey, and hear updates on the RI Main Street cohort and a recent summit. The agenda also includes items on surveying town employees, development opportunities at…
Affordable Housing Collaborative to discuss proposed 'YIGBY' state bill and Lofts at Fairgrounds update
The Affordable Housing Collaborative Committee will discuss proposed Rhode Island Senate Bill S2268 ("YIGBY" legislation) and receive updates on the Lofts at Fairgrounds project, surplus town properties, and the Old Tower Hill Road form-based code. No votes are scheduled; the agenda consists primarily of discussions…
Historic District Commission reviews applications for Old North Road
The Historic District Commission will consider a request to amend a Certificate of Appropriateness and a new application for properties on Old North Road. The body will also continue discussions on stone wall regulations and the Matunuck Beach Historic Resource Survey.
Planning Board to consider solar farm, subdivision, and housing plan
The East Greenwich Planning Board will vote on master plan extensions for the South Road Solar project and the Division Road Neighborhood subdivision. They will also hold a public hearing for the Preliminary Plan of The Pastures subdivision on Division Street. Additionally, the board will review the 2025 Low and…
Zoning Board to review variance requests and short-term rental applications
The Zoning Board of Review will consider several petitions for dimensional variances to allow for home additions, decks, and sheds. The board will also review special use requests for owner-occupied short-term rentals.
Planning Board holds public hearing on Gardner Ridge major land development
The Exeter Planning Board will hold a public hearing on the Preliminary Plan for the Gardner Ridge Comprehensive Permit Major Land Development Project. The proposal includes twenty condominium units—five affordable and fifteen market-rate—on a 3.72‑acre site at 415 Gardner Road in the RU‑3 zoning district. The…
Town Council to consider supporting RI Senate Bill 2481 on squatting
The Westerly Town Council will discuss several proposed ordinances, including amendments to the zoning ordinance and repeals of various code articles. Councilors will consider a resolution supporting Rhode Island Senate Bill 2481, which addresses unauthorized occupation of property. Additional new‑business items…
Public hearing on 20-unit affordable housing development on Mishnock Road
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and vote on a master plan for 'Residences on Mishnock', a 20-unit multifamily development with 25% affordable units. They will also discuss a redevelopment plan for Flat River Reservoir/Johnson's Pond and review potential updates to zoning codes for multi-family…
Council to vote on final approval of FY27 town budget
The Portsmouth Town Council will discuss and take action on the final approval of the proposed FY27 town budget. Other agenda items include a request to purchase a new fire engine for $950,000, several public hearings on noise variances for concerts and events, and a partial road closure for a July 4th block party.
Review of 20-unit affordable housing development on Mishnock Road
The Technical Review Committee will discuss a Master Plan and Comprehensive Permit for 'Residences on Mishnock,' a 20-unit multifamily development on a 2.93-acre parcel. The project requires 25% of units to be deed-restricted affordable, with public water and private wastewater. No public verbal comments will be…
Affordable Housing Committee to discuss community engagement strategies
The committee will review the Housing Needs Survey Report and discuss strategies for community engagement in the coming year. The report will be presented to the Town Council on July 7.
Affordable Housing Committee to discuss community engagement strategies
The committee will approve March meeting minutes and review a housing needs survey report slated for the July Town Council agenda. Members will also brainstorm outreach strategies for the upcoming year. This meeting focuses on planning and does not include binding votes or concrete policy changes.
Newport Historic District Commission to decide on 10 property alteration requests
The Commission will consider five new applications, two action items (including reconsideration of a previously approved garage and pool denial), and three continued applications. Key proposals include converting a garage to an accessory dwelling unit at 77 Kay St, installing a pool and solar panels at 320 Harrison…
Board approved front and rear yard setback variances for 3 St Clare Way addition
The board held a public hearing on a variance request from the Richard and Karen Aiken Revocable Trust for 3 St Clare Way. Members approved a 5.2‑foot front yard setback and a 22‑foot rear yard setback to allow a 1,040‑sq‑ft addition with a two‑car garage, family room, and sewing room. No other new business or public…
Council to consider resolution to prohibit or limit new hotels
The Newport City Council will hold a regular meeting on June 10, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. The agenda includes a resolution to prohibit or limit additional hotel development, a proposal to establish a Housing Commission, and a presentation on solar development opportunities at school facilities. The…
Commission to discuss new Demolition by Neglect Ordinance
The Historic District Commission will review several residential and commercial renovation applications. The body will also discuss the creation of a Demolition by Neglect Ordinance and a new information brochure.
Planning Board to recommend new zoning district for Peacedale Preserve
The Planning Board will discuss and vote on recommendations to the Town Council, including a zoning amendment to create the Peacedale Preserve Special Management District on Tax Assessor's Map 33, Lot 30, allowing commercial, residential, and recreational uses. They will also review the Old Tower Hill Road…
Planning Board to hold pre‑application conference for Ten Rod Road Neighborhood housing project
The Board will discuss a request for a pre‑application conference on a mixed‑residential development at 875‑919 Ten Rod Road, proposed under the Rhode Island Low‑ and Moderate‑Income Housing Act. The project, submitted by Crossroad Capital Fund VIII, LLC, would contain about 300 units, with at least 30% (≈90 units)…
Planning Commission to review storage condos and residential project
The Planning Commission will hold public hearings on a proposal for mini-storage condominiums at 915 Ten Rod Road. The body will also review a pre-application for a 17-unit residential project at 6828 Post Road and discuss a surety bond for a solar energy system off Firwood Drive.
Public hearing on 44 Newman Ave Storage Building major land development
The Johnston Planning Board will hold public hearings on several major land development proposals, including the 44 Newman Ave Storage Building, 18 City View subdivision, and Santa Circle subdivision. It will also discuss preapplication proposals for JAF Condos on Atwood Avenue and an expansion of Trinity Church…