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.
1,521 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
- Jamestown, RI (184)
- New Shoreham, RI (115)
- Lincoln, RI (100)
- Middletown, RI (99)
- Coventry, RI (99)
- Smithfield, RI (90)
- South Kingstown, RI (86)
- Exeter, RI (80)
- Westerly, RI (74)
- Portsmouth, RI (67)
- Johnston, RI (65)
- Johnston, RI (65)
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 vote on garage setback variance at 212 Marlborough Street
The East Greenwich Zoning Board of Review will decide whether to grant a side-yard setback variance for a proposed garage at 212 Marlborough Street. The applicant seeks to build 5.5 feet from the property line, below the 10-foot minimum required under the R-6 zoning district. The board will also review and act on the…
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 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…
Coventry committee to review 215-unit affordable housing plan
The Technical Review Committee will discuss and comment on the preliminary plan for "Center Point Commons," a major land development proposing three multi-family buildings with 215 units at 2271 New London Turnpike. The project includes deed-restricted affordable units and is part of the larger Coventry Centre…
Planning Board to weigh hotel expansion, new housing rules
The Middletown Planning Board will hold public hearings on two development applications: a 6-unit expansion of an existing multi-family development by Prescott Point, LLC, and a hotel expansion by Wave Pond Hotel, LLC that includes adding rooms, a pool, and liquor license expansion. The board will also consider…
Zoning Board to hear variance and appeal requests
The Exeter Zoning Board of Review will consider a dimensional variance for a garage and an appeal of a zoning violation notice. The meeting will also approve previous meeting minutes and invoices.
Planning Board discusses new zoning districts and data center prohibitions
The Planning Board will hold a work session to review land development extensions and zoning amendments. The board will consider recommendations to the Town Council regarding the Peacedale Preserve and form-based code revisions. They will also discuss a proposal to prohibit data center development in all zoning…
Planning Board to review three subdivision and development applications
The Warwick Planning Board will meet to review three development applications: a minor subdivision to legalize an illegal split, a major land development project for three units on West Shore Road, and a minor subdivision to split a lot with two homes. The board may vote to approve, deny, or continue these…
Committee reviews minor land development project at 74 Main Street
The South Kingstown Technical Review Committee will review a minor land development application for a property at 74 Main Street. The project proposes an accessory structure with two dwelling units and requests waivers from street and perimeter landscaping requirements under local regulations.
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 reviews draft Comprehensive Plan and upcoming public workshop
The New Shoreham Planning Board will introduce and discuss the current status of the Comprehensive Plan, including a community survey, existing conditions report, and the first open house scheduled for September 17 at 4 PM. Robert Collins from Weston & Sampson will lead the review.
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.
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…
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…
Zoning Board to hear four variance requests, including church sign
The Coventry Zoning Board of Review will hold a public meeting on September 2, 2026, to consider four requests for dimensional variances. These include a church sign exceeding size limits, a front-yard carport, a home addition within a setback, and an RV height and placement variance. The board will also approve…
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…
Portsmouth committee to review master plan change for West Main Road properties
The Technical Review Committee will consider a modification to a 2023 Master Plan Decision for properties at 1200 and 1220 West Main Road, and a proposal for a temporary engine repair workshop at 1360 West Main Road. Both items are under review; no final decisions are listed on this agenda.
Zoning Board to hear garage addition variance request
The Lincoln Zoning Board of Review will hold a public hearing on September 1, 2026, to consider applications for special use permits, variances, or appeals. The only listed application is a dimensional variance request from Richard Desrosiers for a proposed garage addition at 670 Great Rd. The agenda also includes…
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.
Johnston Zoning Board meeting cancelled for Aug. 27, 2026
The Johnston Zoning Board meeting scheduled for August 27, 2026 has been cancelled. No items were discussed or decided at this meeting.
Zoning Board meeting in Johnston, RI cancelled for Aug. 27, 2026
The Johnston, RI Zoning Board meeting scheduled for August 27, 2026, at the Department of Development and Public Service (100 Irons Avenue) has been cancelled. No further details or rescheduled date were provided in the agenda.
Committee to discuss Missing Middle Housing Ordinance and inclusionary zoning amendments
The Affordable Housing Collaborative Committee is meeting to discuss several housing initiatives, including the reintroduction of the Missing Middle Housing Ordinance, proposed inclusionary zoning text amendments, and outreach for a form-based code public hearing. The agenda also includes debriefing RiverFire outreach…
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…
Planning Commission to weigh 712-unit Centre of New England extension
The Coventry Planning Commission will consider a one-year extension for the Centre of New England Master Plan, a 712-unit development, and hold public hearings on two accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and a Comprehensive Plan amendment. The agenda also includes a rezoning recommendation for 1119 Tiogue Ave and a…
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 hears 9 petitions: variances, signs, brewery, short-term rentals
The Middletown Zoning Board of Review will hold public hearings on nine petitions, including three continued from prior meetings and six new ones. Items include requests for variances to build sheds and home additions, a special use for a larger sign, a brewery with retail sales, and several owner-occupied short-term…
Planning Board to consider one-year extension for 94-acre greenhouse project
The Exeter Planning Board will consider a request to extend the September 18, 2024 approval for the Rhode Island Grows, LLC greenhouse project by one year. The board will also elect officers, approve minutes, and schedule future meetings and a site visit.
Zoning board to hear appeals on two Jamestown properties
The Jamestown Zoning Board of Review will consider two appeals at this meeting. One concerns a property at 26 Pennsylvania Avenue, and the other involves Pole #9 on Sloop Street.
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…
Planning Board to weigh Peacedale Preserve zoning district, Kingstown Rd housing
The South Kingstown Planning Board will hold a public hearing on a proposal to demolish a single-family home at 2001 Kingstown Road and build a duplex and triplex (5 units total), continued from June. The board will also review and make recommendations to the Town Council on a zoning map and text amendment creating…
Zoning Board hears 5 variance requests, including Fleury Properties' second dwelling unit
The Newport Zoning Board of Review will hold public hearings on five petitions for dimensional variances, including a request to build a second dwelling unit on a substandard lot, a garage and pool project, and several smaller additions. The board will also consider a 12-month extension request for 12 Elliot Place, a…
Council to vote on zoning changes, sound variance, and $340K in budget transfers
The Tiverton Town Council will hold a regular meeting with public hearings on a sound variance for the Hicks Farm fundraiser and proposed amendments to the Age Restricted Mixed Use Community zoning ordinance. The council will also consider several budget transfers totaling over $340,000 to cover salary increases…
Council to weigh school bond scenarios, BESS ban study
The Portsmouth Town Council will hold a regular meeting with an executive session first. In open session, they will discuss school bond scenarios, review monthly finance reports, and consider several new items including a temporary overdose awareness display, opioid settlement funding for education programs, a road…
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 &…