Development standards for residential special use permits
The zoning board of review or where applicable, the planning board for unified development review, shall not grant a special use permit for uses in the residential use category of the Table of Use regulations unless it finds the applicable standards in sections 4, 7 and 12 are met, and, where applicable, the following standards are met:
(1) For all residential special use permits the following standards apply:
a. Parking. On site parking must be provided as prescribed in sections 7.9, 7.10, and 7.11 of this ordinance unless otherwise specified.
b. Landscaping, buffer areas and illumination. The development must comply with all requirements for landscaping, buffer areas and illumination prescribed in section 7.8 of this ordinance.
c. Trash disposal. The building(s) shall be provided with an enclosed trash container and separate recycling container sufficient to accommodate all trash and waste stored on the premises. The containers and utility area shall comply with provisions of section 7.3(5) of this ordinance.
d. Traffic. The development shall not cause traffic service on nearby streets and highways to fall below a C level of service (LOS), as defined by the Transportation Research Board. A traffic study may be required.
e. Utilities.
1. In order to be considered for approval, lots located in soils limitation districts A and B must be served by public water, sewer, and other utilities (see section 4.5, high water table limitations overlay district).
2. In other areas the board may consider individual sewage disposal systems (ISDS) as an option for: single family detached dwellings, two family dwelling(duplex), taking of boarders by resident family, and rectory; provided:
i. All state agencies with authority over onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) have approved such a disposal design for said lot and the number of bedrooms proposed,
ii. Public water is available.
3. If public water is not available for a proposed single family detached dwellings, two family dwelling(duplex), taking of boarders by resident family, and rectory, approval is conditioned on a requirement that the building(s) will be adequately serviced by a private potable water supply approved by RIDOH.
(2) Additional special use permit standards for Use Code 02: Two-family dwelling or duplex
a. Minimum lot of 100,000 square feet buildable area per duplex in R80 residential zone.
1. Setbacks, building coverage, height same as single family dwelling in R80.
b. Minimum 60,000 square feet buildable area per duplex in R-40 residential zone.
1. Setbacks, building coverage, height same as single family dwelling in R40.
All required land area standards listed above may be waived by the building official (or PB in the instance of a subdivision, DPR or land development) without the necessity of a public hearing if the applicant provides a deed restriction or land lease restricting at least one of the dwelling units per lot to affordable housing for a period of 30 years minimum.
a. The affordable unit(s) must be the primary residence of the tenant (or owner if condominium) and shall meet all necessary documentation requirements of a duly authorized monitoring agent.
b. Land area exemption—An affordable duplex land area may be reduced from the standards noted above but must meet the regulatory minimum of section 6.4 for an SFD in that zone, or provide a net land area of at least 1.5 times the average of same-zoned developed lots within 200 feet of the property boundary, if said average is less than the regulated minimum.
(3) Additional special use permit standards for Use Code 061: Taking of boarders by a resident family (5—12 roomers or boarders)
a. License required
b. Onsite parking must be provided with one additional space per each boarder over four beyond what is required for single-family dwellings.
c. The dwelling must be owner occupied with the owners living on site.
(4) Additional special use permit standards for Use Code 0631: Dormitory
a. Dormitories are only allowed as an accessory use to a primary institutional use in the IA & IB industrial zones.
c. Public water required.
d. Sewer required.
e. Development standards of section 12.6 and 12.7 apply.
(5) Additional special use permit standards for Use Code 0632: Rectories, convents, monasteries
a. Site: Minimum one acre for convents and monasteries.
b. Density requirements. Minimum lot size. The lot shall consist of not less than 5,000 square feet of land per bedroom.
c. Number of occupants. Occupancy shall be limited to not more than one person per bedroom.
d. Maximum lot coverage. The total coverage by all principal and accessory buildings and structures shall not exceed 20 percent of the total lot area.
e. Front, side, and rear yards. The minimum dimension of front, side, and rear yards shall be at least 40 feet, unless the lot abuts a residential zone with greater minimum yard dimensions. In that case, the dimension of the yard which abuts the residential zone must be equal to the dimension required in the residential zone.
f. Height. In a development, no principal building shall be more than 30 feet high, and no accessory building or other structures shall be more than 16 feet high.
g. Minimum lot width. Each zoning lot shall have a minimum width of 200 feet measured along the lot frontage on a town street, which has been accepted for maintenance, or on a state highway.
h. Utilities. The structure shall be serviced by public water and sewer.
i. Parking. Onsite parking must be provided with one space per bedroom, subject to all other requirements of section 7 of this ordinance.
j. Signs must meet the standards of section 7.18(i)(5) of this ordinance.
(6) Additional special use permit standards for Use Code 07: Hotel. The zoning board of review may grant a special use permit for one or more hotel structures and accessory uses in an R-10A, BA, BB, or BC zone provided the proposed development complies with the following development standards, in addition to all other applicable requirements of this ordinance.
a. Minimum lot size. The lot shall consist of not less than 50,000 square feet of land for the first 20 rooms, and 500 square feet of land for each additional unit. The lot or tract on which the motel or tourist court is located shall be owned by one person or corporation or group of persons or corporations.
b. Accessory uses. Subject to the approval of the planning and zoning boards, accessory uses may include, not limited to, necessary office, parking, and maintenance areas, a lunch room or restaurant, cocktail lounge, gift shop, pool or marina. Parking standards may be adjusted based on needs generated by accessory uses.
c. Height. No principal building shall be more than 35 feet high. No accessory building or structure shall be more than 16 feet high.
d. Minimum lot width. Each zoning lot shall have a minimum width of 200 feet measured along the lot frontage on a town street which has been accepted for maintenance or on a state highway.
e. Utilities. In order to be considered for a special exception, the lot must be served by public water, sewer, and other utilities. No individual sewage disposal systems or wells shall be permitted.
f. Illumination. Outdoor lighting shall comply with the requirements of section 7 of this ordinance. Landscaping shall be planted so as to minimize ground illumination which might otherwise interfere with any nearby residential uses.
(Ch. 1117, § 13, 12-18-2023; Ch. 1124, § 3, 5-20-2024)