General development regulations.
§ 255-920. General development regulations. [Amended 5-14-2018 by Ord. No. 04-18-322; 3-25-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-12]
A. Accessory structures.
(1) Dimensional regulations for detached accessory structures.
(a) Location: Detached accessory structures in any zone shall be placed in the rear yard, except that detached accessory structures may be placed in the side yard where the side yard setback requirement for the principal structure can be maintained. Detached accessory structures shall not be placed in the front yard.
(b) R20: Detached accessory structures shall be placed no closer than 10 feet to the property line. Residential tool, garden or storage sheds up to a maximum of 120 square feet may be permitted up to five feet to a property line.
(c) RR2 and RR3: Detached accessory structures shall be placed no closer than 15 feet to the property line. Residential tool, garden or storage sheds up to a maximum of 120 square feet may be permitted up to five feet to a property line.
(d) RR5: Detached accessory structures shall be placed no closer than 35 feet to the property line. Residential tool, garden or storage sheds up to a maximum of 120 square feet may be permitted up to 10 feet to a property line.
(e) Height: The maximum height for a detached accessory structure is the height of the principal structure or 25 feet, whichever is lower.
(f) Floor Area: The maximum floor area of a detached accessory structure shall be 1,200 square feet or 60% of the total floor area of the principal structure, whichever is less.
(g) Design: Detached accessory structures shall be designed such that they are incidental and subordinate to the principal structure and maintain continuity with the architectural appearance and character of the principal structure.
(h) Lot coverage. Detached accessory structures shall comply with the lot coverage requirements of the underlying zoning district.
(2) Dimensional regulations for attached accessory structures.
(a) An accessory garage or accessory dwelling unit attached to the principal structure shall be subject to the yard requirements of a principal structure in the applicable zoning district.
(b) New attached accessory garages or attached accessory dwelling units shall not extend in front of the principal structure.
(c) Attached decks and porches may be allowed in front of the principal structure, but shall be subject to the yard requirements of a principal structure in the applicable zoning district.
(d) Attached accessory garages and attached accessory dwelling units shall be designed such that they are incidental and subordinate to the principal structure and maintain continuity with the architectural appearance and character of the principal structure.
(e) Attached accessory dwelling units must comply with the provisions of Code § 255-920F.
(3) Accessory structures, whether attached or detached, that are incidental and subordinate to farming or agricultural uses may have a height greater than 25 feet, provided that farming is the principal use of the land. In no instance shall the height of such accessory buildings be greater than 35 feet as stipulated by § 255-600. Such accessory structures shall be primarily used for storage of materials incidental to farm or agricultural uses, and not for habitable living areas, except to allow for the development of ADUs in compliance with the provisions of Code § 255-920F.
B. Fences and walls. Fences and walls not exceeding 10 feet may be placed in any yard area in an industrial district. In any other commercial district, fences will be limited to eight feet in height. In any other residential district, fences and walls may be constructed in side and rear yards up to six feet in height. In front yards, the maximum height of walls and fences shall be four feet. All fences are subject to the vision requirements in Code § 255-920C.
C. Vision clearance at corners. At street intersections or corners of streets no structure shall be erected and no vegetation shall be planted or maintained in such a manner as to materially impede vision between the heights of two feet and 10 feet above the triangle formed by the two street lines and a third line joining points on the street lines 30 feet from the intersection.
D. Swimming pools. No private swimming pool capable of containing a depth of 24 inches shall be allowed in any district except as an accessory use and must comply with the following requirements:
(1) The pool must be intended and used principally for the enjoyment of the property occupants.
(2) It shall not be located in the front yard and shall be no closer than 10 feet to a side or rear property line.
(3) The pool, or the property on which it is located, shall be walled or fenced to prevent uncontrolled access from the street or from adjacent properties. Said fence or wall shall not be less than five feet in height, shall be maintained in good condition with a gate and lock, and must prohibit the passage of any object exceeding four inches in diameter.
(4) In-ground pools shall have an apron inside the fence no less than four feet in width.
E. Temporary structures. Temporary structures including, but not limited to, truck bodies; container boxes; and plastic, metal, or wood-sheathed structures without plumbing and electricity shall be prohibited.
F. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
(1) Eligibility. One ADU per lot shall be allowed by right under the following circumstances:
(a) On an owner-occupied property as a reasonable accommodation for family members with disabilities; or (b) On a lot with a total lot area of twenty thousand square feet (20,000 sq. ft.) or more for which the primary use is residential; or (c) Where the proposed ADU is located within the existing footprint of the primary structure or existing accessory attached or detached structure and does not expand the footprint of the structure.
(2) Performance Standards:
(a) The maximum unit size for an ADU is as follows:
[1] A studio or one (1) bedroom ADU may be up to 900 square feet, or 60% of the floor area of the principal dwelling, whichever is less.
[2] A two (2) bedroom ADU may be up to 1,200 square feet, or 60% of the floor area of the principal dwelling, whichever is less.
[3] ADUs with three (3) bedrooms or more are not allowed.
(b) One additional off-street parking space shall be required for the ADU.
(c) ADUs shall comply with the accessory structure standards for the underlying zoning district.
(d) ADUs shall have adequate water supply and wastewater disposal systems, which may be shared with the principal dwelling. Separate water or sewer service lines or expanded septic system capacity shall not be required, except as necessary for state law compliance, building code compliance, or to address capacity or upgrades necessary to accommodate the ADU.
(e) ADUs cannot be offered or rented for tourist or transient use (defined as occupancy less than thirty (30) days) or through a hosting platform.
(f) ADUs must comply with all state and federal fair housing laws.
(g) ADUs shall not require zoning relief when proposed within the existing footprint of the primary or accessory structure which is a legal nonconforming structure in order to address the existing dimensional nonconformity.
(h) ADUs shall be allowed as part of applications for new primary dwelling units or subdivisions. For proposed ADUs as part of a larger development proposal, such ADU shall not be counted toward the density of the proposal.
(i) ADUs that are not allowed by right under this chapter shall utilize the Unified Development Review process pursuant to the Rhode Island General Laws.