Zoning & land use in Rhode Island local government
What Rhode Island city councils, county boards and school districts are deciding about zoning & land use — plain-English summaries written from official agendas and minutes, updated as meetings happen.
958 Rhode Island meetings since 2024 covered zoning & land use. Counts are directional — coverage varies by place and platform.
Places in Rhode Island with the most zoning & land use activity
- New Shoreham, RI (113)
- Lincoln, RI (96)
- Smithfield, RI (84)
- South Kingstown, RI (76)
- Exeter, RI (72)
- Westerly, RI (72)
- Johnston, RI (64)
- West Warwick, RI (45)
- Middletown, RI (41)
- Coventry, RI (38)
- Portsmouth, RI (36)
- City of Newport, RI (36)
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…
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.
Board reviews dimensional variance requests for two residential properties
The Johnston Zoning Board of Review will consider two new business items. One is a dimensional variance request by Ronald Papa to build a two-family dwelling at 0 Killingly St, Plat 16, Lot 630. The other is a dimensional relief request by Mark D’Elia for the property at 15 Belknap Farm Dr, Plat 48, Lot 557. The board…
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.
Zoning Board to review variance requests for 30 Queen Ave and 837 Providence Street
The Zoning Board of Review will hear two petitions regarding dimensional variances. One request concerns a shed at a residential property and the other concerns a car rental business and signage.
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.
Planning Board work session agenda is mainly procedural, no specific items
The Exeter Planning Board will conduct routine business at its July 14, 2026 work session. Items include approval of minutes, handling correspondence, and noting the Zoning Board of Review meeting on August 13, 2026. The agenda also lists future Planning Board meetings on July 28 and August 11, 2026.
Commission reviews new home and fence applications
The Historic District Commission will consider two final applications regarding exterior construction. The body will review a request for a new single-family home and a request for a dumpster screening fence.
Board will consider authorizing the Zoning Administrator to sign all decisions
The Zoning Board will approve the draft minutes from May 21, 2026. It will review old business, including a withdrawn variance for 2793 East Main Road and a continued variance for 0 Bay View Avenue. New business consists of seven dimensional variance applications for residential properties across the town. The board…
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 Board to vote on sidewalk installation fee and zoning for renewable energy
The Planning Board will hold a continued public hearing and vote on an amendment regarding fees in lieu of sidewalk installation. Members will also discuss a major land development pre-application and consider zoning amendments for manufacturing uses related to renewable energy.
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 to consider bidding waivers for police and rescue equipment
The Town Council and Board of License Commissioners will meet to review liquor licenses for special events and mobile food vendors. The Council is deciding on several requests to waive competitive bidding for public safety equipment and park reconstruction. They will also consider appointments to various town boards…
Planning Board to review Old Tower Hill Road project and farmstand zoning
The South Kingstown Planning Board will hold a work session to review recommendations for the Old Tower Hill Road Neighborhood Project and discuss regulations on farmstands. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 6:30 PM at the Town Hall.
Public hearing on Sand Trace Phase I‑III major land development at 8 Mann School Road
The Smithfield Planning Board will approve minutes from May 21 and June 30, 2026 meetings, and hold elections for Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary. It will consider Sunn Builders' request to extend the master plan for a development at 270 Putnam Pike. The board will conduct a public hearing on Sand Trace LLC's major…
Town Council awards $289,500 contract for 2027 Grace's Cove road improvements
The council will hold a closed‑session discussion on collective‑bargaining negotiations with the International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local 720. Several public hearings will address proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, including adding “Game Rooms” to the Old Harbor Commercial Zone and changes to…
Zoning Board reviews several dimensional variance requests
The South Kingstown Zoning Board of Review will consider multiple petitions for dimensional variances. These requests involve building height, property setbacks, and lot size requirements for various residential and utility projects.
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%…
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…
Council to consider changing land use on West Main Road to Limited & Office Business
The Middletown Town Council will hold public hearings and second‑reading votes on three ordinances that revise the Comprehensive Community Plan, the Official Zoning Map, and the Zoning Code for lots on Tax Assessor Plate 102 along West Main Road. The proposed changes reclassify lots 4‑7 from Institutional to Limited &…
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 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…
City Council to consider rezoning and multiple business license petitions
The Central Falls City Council will review several entertainment, restaurant, and hawker license petitions. The body will also consider two rezoning requests and ordinances regarding flood prevention and city trees.
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…
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.
Technical Review Committee discusses land development and a dimensional variance
The committee will discuss a major land development pre-application for 0 Old Louisquisset Pike. The meeting also includes a continued discussion regarding a front yard setback variance at 15 Meader Pond Road.
Town Council to vote on charter amendments and warrants
The Foster Town Council will consider approving warrants totaling over $1 million and four proposed charter amendments regarding financial procedures, the Town Clerk's appointment, and the Land Use Conveyance Tax.
Planning Board to recommend stormwater rule changes
The board will discuss and vote on an advisory recommendation to the Town Council regarding proposed text amendments to Chapter 337, the Post Construction Stormwater Control Ordinance. They will also hear a progress report on the Elm Street/Portsmouth Heights Subdivision and handle administrative subdivision and…
Planning Board will hear a major land development project for 345 Valley Road.
The Board will approve the June 10 minutes and consider a withdrawal request for SB Farm, LLC’s pending project at 913 Mitchell’s Lane. It will hold public hearings on several subdivision applications, including a major land development adding about 6,796 square feet at 345 Valley Road. The Board will also consider…
Board grants 90‑day continuance on variance request for 204 Leigh Road
The Zoning Board heard a Dimensional Variance petition for 204 Leigh Road (Zone R‑1, Assessor's Plat 064, Lot 0044). Testimony was provided by applicant Ronnie C. Ramos, attorney Richard Pacia, and urban‑planning expert Edward Pimentel. Board members expressed opposition to granting the variance. The Board voted to…
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…
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.
Public hearing on proposed amendments to Exeter’s zoning and ordinance code
The Exeter Town Council will hold a public hearing to consider proposed amendments to the town's Code of Ordinances. The amendments cover zoning regulations, administration procedures, definitions, adoption provisions, district use regulations, and supplementary regulations. The meeting also includes the standard call…
Town Council to vote on Johnson's Pond redevelopment plan
The Coventry Town Council will hold a public hearing to consider designating the Johnson's Pond area as a redevelopment zone and adopting the associated plan. The body will also vote on several construction contracts and the appointment of a Charter Review Committee.
Commission to review demolition permits and discuss neglect ordinance
The Historic District Commission will hear final and conceptual proposals for exterior work, including demolition and construction at several properties, and will discuss a potential demolition by neglect ordinance.
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…