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City of Pawtucket
City of Pawtucket Zoning Ordinance
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§ 410-17

Applicability; administrative provisions

[Amended 9-29-2015 by Ch. No. 3079; 5-21-2026 by Ch. No. 3330]

  • A. Special flood hazard areas. The special flood hazard areas are herein established as a floodplain overlay district. The district includes all special flood hazard areas within the City of Pawtucket designated as Zone A, AE, AH, AO, A99, V, or VE on the Providence County Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Digital FIRM issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the administration of the National Flood Insurance Program. The map panels of the Providence County FIRM that are wholly or partially within the City of Pawtucket are panel numbers: 44007C0213H, 44007C0214H, 44007C0306H, 44007C0327H, 44007C0307J, 44007C0326J, dated October 2, 2015; and 44007C0193J, 44007C0194K, dated June 23, 2026. The exact boundaries of the district may be defined by the 100-year base flood elevations shown on the FIRM and further defined by the Providence County Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report dated June 23, 2026. The Department of Planning and Redevelopment is responsible for floodplain management. The FIRM and FIS report and any revisions thereto are incorporated herein by reference and are on file with the Building Official, Planning Department and Engineering Department.
  • B. Administrative provisions.
    • (1) Building permit.
      • (a) All proposed construction or other development within a special flood hazard area shall require a permit.
      • (b) The National Flood Insurance Program Special Flood Hazard Area requires permits for all projects that meet the definition of development, not just "building" projects. Development projects include any filling, grading, excavation, mining, drilling, storage of materials, temporary stream crossings. If the construction or other development within a special flood hazard area is not covered by a building permit, all other nonstructural activities shall be permitted by either the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council and/or the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management as applicable. Therefore, if another state agency issues a permit, the local Building Official must have the opportunity for input and keep a copy of the respective permit in his/her files.
      • (c) Prior to the issuance of a building or development permit, the applicant shall submit evidence that all necessary permits and approvals have been received from all government agencies from which approval is required by federal or state law.
      • (d) A permit fee (based on the cost of the construction) may be required to be paid to the City of Pawtucket and a copy of a receipt for the same shall accompany the application. An additional fee may be charged if the Code Enforcement Officer and/or Board of Appeals needs the assistance of a professional engineer.
    • (2) Disclaimer of liability. The degree of flood protection required by this article is considered reasonable but does not imply total flood protection.
    • (3) Severability. If any section, provision, or portion of this article is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid by a court, the remainder of this article shall not be affected.
    • (4) Abrogation and greater restriction. This article shall not in any way impair/remove the necessity of compliance with any other applicable laws, ordinances, regulations, etc. Where this article imposes a greater restriction, the provisions of this article shall control.
    • (5) Enforcement. The Building Official shall enforce all provisions as applicable in reference to R.I.G.L. § 23-27.3-108.1.
    • (6) Penalties. Every person who shall violate any provision of this code shall be subject to penalties put forth in R.I.G.L. § 23-27.3-122.3.
    • (7) Record keeping. The City's Planning and Zoning Departments shall maintain all records of permits for development in the special flood hazard area, including but not limited to: elevation certificates, building permits, construction drawings, substantial improvements, substantial damages, floodproofing and variances.