Permits & licensing in Rhode Island local government
What Rhode Island city councils, county boards and school districts are deciding about permits & licensing — plain-English summaries written from official agendas and minutes, updated as meetings happen.
916 Rhode Island meetings since 2024 covered permits & licensing. Counts are directional — coverage varies by place and platform.
Places in Rhode Island with the most permits & licensing activity
- Jamestown, RI (118)
- Cumberland, RI (69)
- Lincoln, RI (57)
- New Shoreham, RI (55)
- Smithfield, RI (51)
- Pawtucket, RI (51)
- City of Newport, RI (48)
- Westerly, RI (45)
- Middletown, RI (40)
- West Warwick, RI (38)
- Johnston, RI (35)
- Johnston, RI (32)
Latest matching meetings
Board considers extension request and several dimensional variance applications
The Zoning Board will review an extension of time request for a special‑use permit at 100 Allendale Avenue. It will also consider dimensional variance applications for a detached garage at 34 River Avenue, a future lot division at 30 Mill Street, and a new building at 0 Bishop Hill Road. These items appear under old…
Johnston Asphalt seeks extension to start construction on 100 Allendale Ave
The Zoning Board will review several pending variance requests. It will consider Johnston Asphalt’s request to extend the start date for a special‑use permit at 100 Allendale Avenue, and a request by Robert Montaquilla for dimensional variances to build a detached garage at 34 River Avenue. New applications include…
Zoning Board to hear appeal, hotel alcohol permit, cottage addition, and variance requests
The South Kingstown Zoning Board of Review will hear four petitions: an appeal of a zoning violation notice, a special use permit for alcohol service at a proposed hotel, a special use permit and dimensional variance for a cottage addition, and a dimensional variance for home additions. The board will also approve…
Town Council to vote on financing the Landfill 4 Solar Project with Solect Energy
The Barrington Town Council will consider a resolution to authorize financing for the proposed Landfill 4 Solar Project and approve an agreement with Solect Energy. The meeting also includes a resignation filing for Councilwoman Kathleen R. Berard, a victualing license for Adelia Coffeehouse, a Class F license for…
Coventry Town Council to discuss AI software contract and sewer service letters
The Town Council will consider several resolutions, including a $15,000 annual contract for AI software and various CNE sewer 'Will Serve' letters. The meeting also includes appointments for the Planning Board and restructuring of several pension and trust boards.
Town Council to vote on zoning change for low-income housing and court repairs
The Jamestown Town Council will hold public hearings on annual liquor license renewals for multiple establishments, then consider several action items including a zoning amendment for low- and moderate-income housing, funding for tennis and basketball court repairs, and the Eldred Avenue netting project. The council…
Planning Board site visit for Wave Pond Hotel expansion application
The Middletown Planning Board will conduct a site visit to the Wave Pond Hotel property on September 3, 2026, at 3:00pm. The board will only view the property; it will not deliberate, accept public comment, or take action on the application during this meeting. The application seeks preliminary plan approval for a…
Cumberland Ordinance Sub-Committee to review five code amendments
The Ordinance Sub-Committee will meet to discuss several proposed changes to the town's code of ordinances. These items include rules regarding public property, event licensing, and vehicle regulations.
Board will consider a one‑day full liquor license for Bev Voyage events.
The Cumberland Board of License Commissioners will accept the minutes from the June 17, 2026 meeting and then consider three licensing applications: a temporary outdoor serving license for Fatima Holy Name Society’s annual feast (September 4‑6, 2026); a Class F1 one‑day full liquor license for Bev Voyage baby‑shower…
Town Council approves payments for well motor and parking lot repairs
The council will adopt the June 17 minutes, approve a slate of municipal mobile food licenses, hear departmental reports, consider several pending ordinances, and vote on two resolutions authorizing payments for a well motor replacement and emergency parking lot work.
Zoning Board to hear six applications including special use permits and variances
The Smithfield Zoning Board of Review will hold public hearings on July 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM. The board will consider six applications—three from the Old Business list and three from New Business—covering appeals, extensions, special use permits, and variances. Decisions will be made on requests such as a special use…
Town Council to vote on licenses, contracts, and meeting changes
The Smithfield Town Council will decide on annual license renewals for businesses, new licenses, and several contracts including equipment purchases and construction projects. They will also discuss updates on cemetery wall stabilization and a loan application for a water emergency interconnection. Procedural changes…
Town Council to authorize up to $11.15M for wastewater facility upgrades
The West Warwick Town Council will consider authorizing up to $11.15 million for the design, construction, and repair of the Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility. The agenda also includes permits for local events, the purchase of Axon Taser equipment, and the cancellation of a tax amount of $10,011.43.
Planning Board to weigh rezoning, subdivisions, and comprehensive permit
The Lincoln Planning Board will discuss and vote on an extension for the Whispering Oaks minor subdivision, review a pre-application for a subdivision at 1869 Old Louisquisset Pike, and hold an initial discussion and vote on whether to hold a public hearing for a comprehensive permit master plan at 0 Cobble Hill Road…
Council to consider sewer fee changes, Easton's Beach contract, and grant policies
The Newport City Council will hold its regular meeting on August 26, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. The agenda includes consent calendar items (minutes, special event permits, banner license, communications), several license hearings (sidewalk cafés, entertainment licenses), appointments to boards…
Zoning Board to hear 3 special use permits and 1 variance
The New Shoreham Zoning Board of Review will hold a meeting on August 26, 2026, to consider three special use permit applications and one variance request. The applications involve property alterations on West Side Road, Spring Street, and Coast Guard Road, and a public hearing for a variance on an addition to a…
Zoning board hears appeal on vacant lot status and special permit for house
The Jamestown Zoning Board of Review will hold its monthly meeting, including approval of minutes and discussion of rules of procedure. The main items are an appeal concerning the legal status of a vacant parcel at 0 Pennsylvania Avenue and a special use permit application for a new house on Sloop Street. The board…
Coventry Council to hold hearings on zoning, liquor license, tax deal
The Coventry Town Council is meeting on August 25, 2026, to consider several public hearings and votes. Key items include continued hearings on ordinances affecting bathing areas, kennels, gas stations, and a redevelopment plan for Johnson's Pond. The council will also hold a hearing on a proposed tax stabilization…
Council to vote on permit for Ocean State Renaissance Faire at Saugatucket Park
The South Kingstown Town Council will hold a regular session to review licenses and accept public comment. The primary action item is a resolution to grant a Temporary Mass Gathering Permit for the Ocean State Renaissance Faire. The agenda contains no other substantive decisions, contracts, or ordinances.
Council to weigh zoning, grants, and licenses at Aug. 26 meeting
The Newport City Council will hold its regular meeting on August 26, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. The agenda includes a consent calendar with special event permits, a communication on waterfront zoning amendments, several new and renewed entertainment and sidewalk café licenses, and appointments to boards…
Council to consider $300K RIIB line of credit for septic loans
The New Shoreham Town Council will discuss and act on several items, including a resolution to establish a fourth $300,000 non-restoring line of credit with RIIB to support the Community Septic System Loan Program and increase the maximum loan amount to $40,000. They will also hold a public hearing on a liquor license…
Council to consider $300K line of credit for septic loan program
The New Shoreham Town Council will discuss and act on several items, including a resolution to establish a fourth $300,000 line of credit with RIIB for the Community Septic System Loan Program and to increase the maximum loan amount to $40,000. They will also hold a public hearing on a liquor license expansion for…
License petition for Island Rhodes Music Festival at Tidewater Landing
The Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners will review the minutes from July 8 2025 and items on the consent agenda. The meeting includes a series of license petitions, primarily for entertainment events such as the Island Rhodes Music Festival at 11 Tidewater Street on August 15‑16 2026. Additional petitions cover…
Council to consider zoning changes, data centers, and special event licenses
The Lincoln Town Council will hold public hearings and consider recommendations on several zoning ordinance amendments, including data centers, flood hazard areas, and renewable energy. They will also vote on special event licenses, appointments to boards, and waivers of competitive bidding for equipment purchases.
Council to vote on $3.17M water/sewer budgets and fee schedule
The Jamestown Town Council, sitting as the Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners, will review and vote on proposed FY 2026/2027 water and sewer budgets totaling $3,170,064, along with a new fee schedule. The Council will also conduct interviews for a Conservation Committee vacancy, hold public hearings on liquor…
Town Council to vote on $3.17M water/sewer budgets and new liquor license
The Jamestown Town Council will consider proposed FY 2026/2027 water and sewer budgets totaling $3,170,064, along with a new fee schedule. They will also hold public hearings on a new liquor license for Next Door Wine Bar and two one-day licenses, and vote on appointments to the Conservation Commission and Special…
Technical Review Committee to discuss comprehensive permit master plan for 0 Cobble Hill Road
The Lincoln Technical Review Committee will discuss and make recommendations on several land development items, including a comprehensive permit master plan for 0 Cobble Hill Road and a rezoning request for 0 Carrington Street. The committee will also consider a time extension for a minor subdivision at Whispering…
Licensing Board to hold public hearings on extended hours for Post Rd businesses
The Licensing Board will review several one-time event permits and ratify past event licenses. The board will also hold public hearings regarding extended operating hours for two businesses on Post Road.
Council to weigh new entertainment licenses, grants, and Memorial Blvd. safety improvements
The Newport City Council will hold its regular meeting on August 12, 2026, covering a consent calendar of special events, licenses, and appointments, followed by several action items including contract awards and grant acceptances. The council will also consider resolutions on traffic calming for Memorial Blvd., a…
Council to vote on contracts, grants, and new entertainment licenses
The Newport City Council will consider a consent calendar of routine items, including special event permits, a tree warden appointment, and banner licenses. They will also vote on several contracts and grants, including historic gravestone restoration, a carousel storage contract, a multifunction vehicle purchase, and…
Council to weigh school bond process, STR ordinance update, and vehicle purchases
The Portsmouth Town Council will hold a regular meeting with an executive session for litigation and real property matters, followed by an open session. Key discussions include reviewing the process for a proposed school bond, updating the short-term rental ordinance, and approving several financial items. The agenda…
Historic District Commission to review 5 property alteration applications
The Newport Historic District Commission will hold a regular meeting to review continued and new applications for changes to historic properties, including garage conversions, additions, and exterior alterations. The agenda also includes approval of minutes, communications, and an invitation from the Utilities…
Town Council to vote on sewer contract, bond resolution, and appointments
The Tiverton Town Council will hold its regular meeting on August 11, 2026, with several action items. They will consider awarding a sewer cleaning and inspection contract to Veolia Water, approve a resolution related to the FY2028 bond payment, and make appointments to the Dog Park Committee. The agenda also includes…
Council to vote on $650,700 in capital funds for Crescent Park carousel
The East Providence City Council will hold a regular meeting with an executive session to consider a sewer abatement for 77 Allen Avenue. In open session, they will vote on several ordinances, including appropriating $150,000 and $500,700 from unallocated capital funds for the Crescent Park Looff Carousel, and will…
Council to vote on resolutions for police injury services, fire alarm, and new systems
The Johnston Town Council meeting on July 13, 2026 will consider several zoning petitions, an ordinance change, and a slate of business and liquor licenses. Council members will also vote on multiple resolutions that authorize the mayor to enter agreements for police injury administrative services, a fire alarm system…
Town Council to consider zoning ordinance changes and license petitions
The Warren Town Council will accept the minutes from its June meetings, re‑appoint three Budget Committee members, and discuss open board positions. It will hear several petitions for mobile food and entertainment licenses, as well as beverage license applications. The council will hold first‑reading hearings on two…
Resolution 2026-24 authorizes a new cloud‑based dispatch system for Police Dept
The Johnston Town Council will consider several resolutions that would allow the mayor to enter contracts for police, fire, and public works services and equipment. Specific items include a cloud‑based dispatch and records system for the Police Department, a fire alarm system for Town Hall, a new Kubota utility…
Council to vote on entertainment licenses, grants, and traffic safety
The Newport City Council will consider several new and expanded entertainment licenses, including for Gardiner House and Midtown Race Club, and vote on accepting over $24,000 in federal justice assistance grants. Other items include a resolution requesting traffic calming on Memorial Blvd., a proposal for a public…
License board fines two hookah lounges, approves outdoor seating expansion
The Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners held a regular session on August 5, 2026, approving several entertainment, sign, and waste hauler licenses. The board also conducted formal hearings for two hookah lounges, accepting nolo contendere pleas that resulted in fines and a one-day suspension. A public hearing was…
Council to weigh cell tower lease, $1M water loan, and multiple contracts
The Smithfield Town Council will vote on several contracts and licenses, including a cell tower lease with Vertical Bridge, a $1 million loan for a water interconnection, and purchases for sidewalk repair, pickleball courts, and vehicles. It will also consider amending the code to add a chapter on collective…