City of Cranston
City of Cranston Zoning Ordinance
§ 17.08.010

Zoning districts

This zoning chapter divides the city into zoning use districts, which include overlay districts and floating zone districts. Regulations and standards are set forth for each land use, type of development or type of building or structure within each district. Zoning use districts are depicted by type and location on the zoning map.

For the purposes of this chapter, the city is divided into the following districts:

DistrictsIntended Primarily for the Use of
Residential A-80Single-family dwellings on lots of minimum areas of 80,000 square feet.
Residential A-20Single-family dwellings on lots of minimum areas of 20,000 square feet.
Residential A-12Single-family dwellings on lots of minimum areas of 12,000 square feet.
Residential A-8Single-family dwellings on lots of minimum areas of 8,000 square feet.
Residential A-6Single-family dwellings on lots of minimum areas of 6,000 square feet.
Residential B-1Single-family dwellings on lots of minimum areas of 6,000 square feet and two-family dwellings on lots of minimum areas of 8,000 square feet.
Residential B-2Single-family dwellings on lots of minimum areas of 6,000 square feet, two-family dwellings on lots of minimum areas of 8,000 square feet, and multi-family dwellings (see formula in Section
17.20.090
).
Commercial C-1Office business.
Commercial C-2Neighborhood business.
Commercial C-3General business.
Commercial C-4Highway business.
Commercial C-5Heavy business, industry.
Industrial M-lRestricted industry.
Industrial M-2General industry.
Open space S-1Uses containing high proportion of open space or natural character.
Educational Institution EIEducational institutions and schools.
Government GGovernment building or institution.
Planned districtsUses in buildings arranged in an efficient, harmonious and convenient manner.

The descriptions above of the primary uses within each district are intended for the purposes of summary only. Reference should be made to the detailed use provisions hereinafter set forth.

For the purposes of reference, the above districts may be referred to by symbols, excluding the terms "residential", "commercial," "industrial" or "open space."

For the purposes of reference, the above districts may be referred to in this chapter as members of a class of districts in the following manner:

Residential districts refer to all of the following districtsA-80, A-20, A-12, A-8, A-6, B-1 and B-2
Commercial districts refer to all of the following districtsC-1, C-2, C-3, C-4 and C-5
Industrial districts refer to all the following districtsM-1 and M-2
Open space districtS-1
Institutional districts refer to all the following districtsEI and G

(Prior code § 30-4; Ord. 2026-2, 1/20/2026)