Short-term rentals in Rhode Island local government
What Rhode Island city councils, county boards and school districts are deciding about short-term rentals — plain-English summaries written from official agendas and minutes, updated as meetings happen.
23 Rhode Island meetings since 2024 covered short-term rentals. Counts are directional — coverage varies by place and platform.
Places in Rhode Island with the most short-term rentals activity
- Middletown, RI (8)
- Westerly, RI (5)
- Exeter, RI (4)
- Lincoln, RI (2)
- South Kingstown, RI (1)
- City of Newport, RI (1)
- Smithfield, RI (1)
- New Shoreham, RI (1)
Latest matching meetings
Zoning Board to review short-term rentals and brewery proposal
The Zoning Board of Review will consider several variance and special use petitions. These include requests for short-term rentals, a brewery with a tasting room, and signage and structure setbacks.
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.
Zoning Board approves multiple short-term rental and variance requests
The Middletown Zoning Board of Review approved five petitions, including owner-occupied short-term rentals and a shed expansion, while continuing several other requests to a future meeting.
Zoning Board approves variance for 565 Wolcott Ave and STR permits on Wolcott Ave
The Middletown Zoning Board of Review approved three petitions: a dimensional variance for 565 Wolcott Avenue, a special use permit to add a bedroom to a short‑term rental at 559 Wolcott Avenue, and a special use permit with a variance for an addition at 137 Ellery Avenue. A fourth petition for an owner‑occupied…
Zoning board approved a special use for a motor vehicle rental at 1132 Aquidneck Avenue
The Middletown Zoning Board of Review continued February petitions and voted on several variances and special use requests. It approved garage and addition variances for properties on Indian Avenue and Cedar Avenue, and granted special use permits for a short‑term rental, a motor vehicle rental business, and a pet…
Council adopts traffic impact study requirements for land subdivisions
The Town Council approved an amendment to the Middletown Rules and Regulations on Subdivision and Development of Land by adding Appendix D, which sets traffic impact study requirements. The Council also passed a resolution supporting the Dunlap‑Wheeler Park concept plan and authorizing the administration to move…
Board to consider multiple variance and special‑use petitions for residential properties
The Zoning Board of Review will hold a hearing to consider several petitions submitted by property owners. Items include a variance request to reduce the required rear setback for a garage at 750 Indian Avenue, a special‑use request for a short‑term rental at 142 Honeyman Avenue, and other special‑use and variance…
Middletown Zoning Board approves several residential variances and STR permits
The Zoning Board of Review heard and decided on multiple petitions regarding residential property modifications and short-term rental (STR) uses. The board granted approvals for deck replacements, bedroom additions, and new STR operations.
Council to consider $1.7M wastewater upgrade, short-term rental rules
The Town Council will hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to short-term rental regulations and vote on a $1,712,600 contract for wastewater treatment facility improvements. They will also consider a resolution requesting state legislation to tax buildings on leased land as real estate, and discuss creating a…
Council to discuss short-term rental registration ordinance
The Westerly Town Council will hold a workshop to discuss and possibly take action on an ordinance regarding residential zone short-term rental registration. The discussion includes proposed amendments to Section 145-25 of the Town Code of Ordinances.
Town Council considers $4.9 million water tank maintenance contract
The Westerly Town Council will discuss and potentially act on several contracts and ordinance amendments. Key items include a large maintenance contract for water tanks and a road crack sealing project. The council will also discuss updates to sewer and short-term rental regulations.
Town Council considers $5.4 million road resurfacing contract
The Westerly Town Council will discuss several infrastructure projects and a police collective bargaining agreement. The body is also considering a lease for property at 328 Atlantic Avenue and a short-term rental registration ordinance.
Westerly Town Council to hold public hearings on FY2025/2026 utility budgets
The Town Council will hold public hearings to discuss and possibly act on water, sewer, and transfer station budgets for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The body will also consider a financial auditing contract and a short-term rental registration ordinance.
Council to debate new restrictions on non-owner occupied short-term rentals
The Newport City Council will discuss a proposed plan to prohibit new non-owner occupied short-term rentals. The council will also vote on adopting the Vision Zero Safety Action Plan, consider a resolution to resume the FY2026-2027 biennial budget, and hold second readings on several smoking and pedicab ordinances…
Zoning Board approves garage variance for 165A School Land Woods Rd
The Exeter Zoning Board of Review met to consider a request for dimensional relief for a proposed garage. The Board also handled administrative approvals and received an update regarding short-term rental activity on West Shore Drive.
Planning Board continues two major development applications
The Smithfield Planning Board continued two preliminary plan reviews to future meetings, including a 74-unit duplex project at 89 West Greenville Road and a subdivision at 260 Old County Road. The board also discussed a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance for short-term rentals.
Exeter Town Council prohibits short-term rentals in all zoning districts
The Town Council voted unanimously to amend the Zoning Ordinance to prohibit all short-term rentals across all zoning districts. The decision follows a Planning Board recommendation to protect drinking water and ensure public safety. The council also filled several commission vacancies and approved trust expenditures.
Planning Board recommends prohibiting short-term rentals in all zoning districts
The Planning Board voted 5-0 to recommend that the Town Council prohibit short-term rentals in all zoning districts. The board also discussed a proposal to allow farm cafés within farm breweries, including specific limits on kitchen size and local sourcing requirements.
Ordinance Committee to review zoning amendments for ADUs and short‑term rentals
The Lincoln Ordinance Committee meeting on October 15, 2024 will consider two proposed amendments to the town’s zoning ordinance. Amendment 2024‑6 updates definitions and rules for accessory family dwelling units and accessory dwelling units. Amendment 2024‑8 modifies the ordinance section on short‑term rentals or…
Planning Board votes 5-0 to prohibit short-term rentals in Exeter zoning ordinance
The Exeter Planning Board continued discussion of draft changes to the Zoning Use Table, including a review of short‑term rental regulations. After hearing legal context from the town solicitor, the board voted unanimously (5‑0) to prohibit short‑term rentals in the zoning ordinance. The planner will forward a…
Council will discuss pending litigation with VVO Real Estate Holding Corp.
The Town Council will consider two pending lawsuits against the town, which may be heard in closed session. It will also approve a series of tax abatements and raise the police detail hourly rate from $45 to $55. Several public hearings on proposed zoning ordinance amendments will be held, along with a vote on a…
Ordinance Committee reviews zoning and sewer amendments
The Ordinance Committee is reviewing four proposed ordinances. These include changes to zoning definitions for accessory dwelling units and short-term rentals, as well as sewer permit and licensing board regulations.
Council continues public hearing on building construction fee ordinance amendment
The Westerly Town Council will hold a continued public hearing on a proposed amendment to Article I, State Building Code, Chapter 90 (Fees) of the Code of Ordinances, with discussion and possible action. The council will also discuss an amendment to Section 145-25 on Residential Zone Short-Term Rental Registration…