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Tiverton
Town of Tiverton Zoning Ordinance
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§ 20

Planned development park

  • A. Purpose. It has been determined that:

    • 1. There is a need for a planned development park(s) in the Town of Tiverton which may emphasize industrial, technology, scientific, medical, renewable energy, commerce or office uses; and

    • 2. That such uses are in accordance with the Tiverton Comprehensive Community Plan. The purpose of this section is to provide for planned development parks in appropriate locations and settings.

  • B. Requirements.

    • 1. A PDP shall have both public water and access to public sewerage, nearby highway access and shall be designated on a lot or combination of contiguous lots ("contiguous" lots shall mean abutting lots or lots divided by an easement or right-of-way, natural barrier, or any private or public street other than a state highway) containing not less than 150 acres of land, which may be further subdivided and developed in totality or phases in accordance with the provisions of this zoning ordinance and Tiverton's Land Development and Subdivision Regulations.

    • 2. Development standards and guidelines. A PDP must have an adopted set of development standards and guidelines which are specific to the park. Such standards must be adopted by the Tiverton Town Council.

      • a. The "Tiverton Enterprise Park Development Standards and Guidelines" adopted by the Tiverton Town Council on June 25, 2012, apply to the Tiverton Industrial/Technology Park originally comprised of approximately 177 acres of land abutting Interstate 24. Those Standards and Guidelines are adopted by reference herein as though set forth in full.

      • 3. All uses within the PDP shall comport with the requirements of Zoning Ordinance Article XIII, Regulation of Non-Residential Operations.

      • 4. Where design and site standards conflict with the performance standards of Article VI or special use standards of Article XVI, Articles VI or XVI shall govern.

  • C. Zoning district. A PDP shall be permitted in an industrial (I) zone under this zoning ordinance, subject to the specific area and location requirements as set forth above and subject to the further requirements of this section.

  • D. Permitted uses in a PDP. Uses permitted in a PDP are subject to the issuance of licenses as may be required by the Rhode Island General Laws or the Town of Tiverton. The uses are also subject to the performance standards of Zoning Ordinance Article VI, Section 10, and Article XIII, as well as Article X of the Land Development and Subdivision Regulations.

The following uses are permitted by right in a PDP unless a Special Use Permit is required in the Industrial Zone by Article IV, Sections 1—14:

    • 1. All uses allowed by right in the industrial zone, unless specifically prohibited by this section, Article IV, Section 20(D).

    • 2. Hotel (with restaurant, including entertainment and/or liquor).

    • 3. All uses identified in Article IV, Section 4, Public and semipublic uses.

    • 4. All uses identified in Article IV, Section 6, Recreation Uses, excluding:

      • a. Section 6(c), Bathing beach;

      • b. Section 6(f), Boat or yacht club; and

      • c. Section 6(g), Waterfront recreation business.

    • 5. All uses identified in Article IV, Section 7, Office use, excluding:

      • a. Section 7(a), Professional home office.

    • 6. All uses identified in Article IV, Section 8, Restaurant and entertainment, excluding:

      • a. Section 8(b)(2), Bar or night club, with adult entertainment.

    • 7. All uses identified in Article IV, Section 10, Retail business, excluding:

      • a. Section 10(h), Retail sales and/or rentals with open lot storage (other than display for sale);

      • b. Section 10(j), Adult book/video store; and

      • c. Section 10(k), Gasoline filing station, including retail sales as an accessory use.

    • 8. All uses identified in Article IV, Section 12, Wholesale business and storage, excluding:

      • a. Storage of flammable and/or explosive material.

    • 9. All uses identified in Article IV, Section 13, Industrial uses.

    • 10. Any commercial office or office building not otherwise included in this section 20, Planned development park.

    • 11. Any renewable energy facilities covered under the siting standards for renewable energy facilities of Zoning Ordinance Article XXIV.

  • E. Special uses in a PDP. Uses permitted by special use permit in a PDP are subject to the issuance of licenses as may be required by the Rhode Island General Laws or the Town of Tiverton. The uses are also subject to the performance standards of Zoning Ordinance Article VI, Section 10 and Article XIII, as well as the specific and objective criteria of Article XVI. Further, the uses are subject to Article X of the Land Development and Subdivision Regulations. Where there is a conflict between dimensional or performance standards, the standards set forth herein in Article IV, Section 20, shall govern.

The following uses within a PDP require the issuance of a special use permit by the reviewing authority:

    • 1. All uses in Article IV, Sections 1—14, permitted by Special Use Permit in the Industrial Zone and PDP Zone, unless specifically permitted by right in Article IV, Section 20(D).

  • F. Prohibited uses in a PDP. The following uses are prohibited in a PDP:

    • 1. All prohibited uses as described in article IV, section 16 shall be prohibited in a PDP;

    • 2. All uses prohibited in the Industrial Zone and not otherwise permitted by Article IV, Section 20(D).

  • G. Prohibited activities in a PDP. The following activities are prohibited in a PDP:

    • 1. No materials, manufactured items, supplies or equipment shall be stored in any area on a lot except inside a closed building or behind a visual barrier screening such areas from the view of adjoining property and/or a street. No storage or parking of goods, vehicles, and/or equipment shall be permitted on the street. In addition, no portable structures, including, but not limited to, trailers, storage units or similar objects, shall be permitted within the PDP except during periods of construction.

    • 2. There shall be no excessive noise, dust, smoke, fumes, odors, vibrations, glare, vermin, or liquid or solid waste which is not kept in appropriate containers. There shall be no uses that will result in unsafe or hazardous conditions such as toxic or noxious materials, fire and explosion hazard materials, or radiation hazard materials.

  • H. Development categories within a PDP may include the following:

    • 1. Single user. This category shall include one owner or tenant, located within a primary structure on a single site. The site may also include accessory buildings associated with the primary use.

    • 2. Building complex. This category shall include multiple owners or tenants, located within a primary structure on a single site. The site may also include accessory buildings associated with one or more of the uses or tenants within the primary building.

    • 3. Site complex. This category shall include multiple owners or tenants, located within multiple primary buildings on a single site. Each building may contain one or more primary users or tenants. The site may also contain accessory buildings associated with any of the owners or tenants within the primary buildings on the site.

  • I. Dimensional regulations. The following dimensional regulations shall apply within a PDP and supplant those contained within article V of these regulations:

    • 1. Minimum lot size: Forty thousand (40,000) square feet.

    • 2. Minimum lot width: One hundred twenty (120) feet.

    • 3. Minimum lot frontage: One hundred twenty (120) feet.

    • 4. Minimum front yard setback: Twenty (20) feet.

    • 5. Minimum side yard setback: Thirty (30) feet.

    • 6. Minimum rear yard setbacks: Forty (40) feet.

    • 7. Maximum building coverage: Seventy (70) percent.

    • 8. Maximum building height: Sixty-five (65) feet.

    • 9. Maximum accessory building height: Thirty-five (35) feet.

  • J. Signage regulations. The intent of the signage regulations within this section are to control the location, number, size, placement, and other features of signs within a PDP to ensure that all signs are appropriate for their use, benefit the public's safety and convenience, are compatible with their surroundings, reinforce any associated building's design, and add to the unique identity of the park. The sign regulations in this section are intended to supplant those in article XII, Sign regulations, of this zoning ordinance.

    • 1. Sign categories. The four basic categories of signs that are regulated within this section are: a) complex, building, or business identification; b) information, direction or wayfinding; c) temporary; and d) development park identity, gateway and information.

      • a. Complex, building, or business identification signs are limited to information which identifies the name of the complex or building(s); street address; and the name, tagline, and logo of individual businesses.

      • b. Information, directional, or wayfinding signs: On or off-premises signs that provide information for the convenience and safety of the public such as the location of business entrances, exits, parking lots, traffic direction, speed, height or weigh limitations or any other instance where signage is necessary for orderly traffic movement and public safety.

      • c. Temporary signs are limited to building or site construction information, or building or site sales or lease information.

      • d. Development park identity, gateway, and information signs shall serve to provide prominent identity and exposure to the park, a suitable gateway into the park, and information such as park layout, maps or directory.

    • 2. Permitted number and copy. The number of complex, building, or business identification signs for each site shall be limited to the following:

      • a. For single users: Each parcel shall be limited to one freestanding (monument type) sign along its primary street frontage as well as one additional freestanding (monument type) sign (at 75 percent of the maximum height and 50 percent of the maximum size limitation) for each secondary frontage thereafter, providing that any secondary street frontages contain public vehicular entrances. The freestanding sign information shall be limited to company name, logo, tagline and street address.

The primary building within a parcel shall be permitted one attached sign along the elevation of the primary street, and one additional attached sign (at 50 percent of the maximum size limitation) along any elevation fronting a secondary street. The attached sign copy shall also be limited to company name, logo, tagline and street address. Accessory buildings will be permitted one attached sign, at 25 percent of the maximum size, containing building name and number.

      • b. For building complex: Each parcel shall be limited to one freestanding (monument type) sign along its primary street frontage as well as one additional freestanding (monument type) sign (at 75 percent of the maximum height and 50 percent of the maximum size limitation) for each secondary frontage thereafter, providing that any secondary street frontages contain public vehicular entrances. The freestanding sign information shall be limited to building name and street address, as well as the name of the individual businesses and their logos with a consistent background and color scheme.

The primary building within a parcel shall be permitted one attached sign along the elevation of the primary street, and one additional attached sign (at 50 percent of the maximum size limitation) along any elevation fronting a secondary street. The attached sign copy shall be limited to building name and street address, as well as the name of the individual businesses and their logos with a consistent background and color scheme. Accessory buildings will be permitted one attached sign, at 25 percent of the maximum size, containing building name and number.

      • c. For site complex: Each parcel shall be limited to one freestanding (monument type) sign along its primary street frontage as well as one additional freestanding (monument type) sign (at 75 percent of the maximum height and 50 percent of the maximum size limitation) for each secondary frontage thereafter, providing that any secondary street frontages contain public vehicular entrances. The freestanding sign information shall be limited to site complex name and street address, as well as the name of the individual businesses and their logos with a consistent background and color scheme.

The primary buildings within a parcel shall be permitted one attached sign along the elevation of the primary street, and one additional attached sign (at 50 percent of the maximum size limitation) along any elevation fronting a secondary street. The attached sign copy shall be limited to building name and street address, as well as the name of the individual businesses and their logos with a consistent background and color scheme. Accessory buildings will be permitted one attached sign, at 25 percent of the maximum size, containing building name and number.

    • 3. Setback. The setback for complex, building, or business identification signs shall comply with the following:

      • a. Front yard setback: Five (5) feet.

      • b. Side yard setback: Ten (10) feet.

      • c. Vision clearance: Signs must be placed so as not to obstruct sight lines at entrances and exits.

      • d. Street intersection triangle: No sign, other than traffic safety signs, may be placed within thirty-five (35) feet of any street intersection along the frontage lines.

    • 4. Complex, building, or business identification sign dimensional requirements. The following limitations shall apply:

      • a. Freestanding (monument type): Maximum height (measured from the street grade the highest point on the sign) shall not exceed 15 feet. Sign copy shall be placed a minimum of seven feet above grade. Maximum area (excluding base and area below sign copy) shall not exceed 60 square feet.

      • b. Attached building signs: The height of attached building signs shall not exceed the height limit for the PDP or extend more than ten feet above the building's cornice line (defined as the intersection of the top of the exterior wall and roof plane). The area of attached signs shall be limited to five percent of the building's frontage area (length of building along the primary frontage multiplied by the cornice height). Attached building signs must also meet the minimum standards for legibility and readability from frontage roadways, taking into account building setback from roadway, vehicle speed, viewing angle, and copy.

    • 5. Development park identity, gateway and information signs dimensional requirements. The following limitations shall apply:

      • a. Identity and gateway: Maximum height (measured from the ground to the highest point on the sign) shall not exceed 25 feet. Maximum area of sign copy shall not exceed 200 square feet. Any copy intended to be read from adjacent highways must consider setback, traffic speed, and viewing angle to ensure sign copy can be discerned without being considered a distraction. Copy shall be limited to park name and logo.

      • b. Information signs: Maximum height (measured from the ground to the highest point on the sign) shall not exceed 12 feet. Other than the information kiosk sign at the entrance containing park map, tenant listings, and addresses), sign copy on information signs shall be a minimum of seven feet from the street grade along the area in which they are placed. Maximum sign area shall not exceed 120 square feet, excluding any area below the minimum copy standard.

    • 6. Information, directional or wayfinding sign dimensional requirements. The following limitations shall apply:

      • a. All signs related to traffic safety shall meet the minimum manual of uniform traffic control devices (MUTCD) standards and be exempt from the limit on freestanding signs per site. Entrance signs shall not exceed five feet in height or 15 square feet, and may also contain the business, building or complex name and street address. These signs do not count against the maximum number of freestanding signs per lot.

    • 7. Prohibited signs. The following types of signs shall be prohibited within a PDP:

      • a. Animated moving, rotating or sound emitting signs;

      • b. Electronic message signs;

      • c. Reader boards or changeable copy signs;

      • d. Flashing signs other than those used for traffic safety;

      • e. Internally illuminated signs other than those in which the background is opaque and light passes only through the sign copy and logo;

      • f. Inflatable signs and objects;

      • g. Window signage other than emergency contact information and hours of operation;

      • h. Portable signs, with the exception of authorized temporary signs;

      • i. Moving signs, including, but not limited to, pennants, flags with commercial messages, streamers, propellers, discs and searchlights.

    • 8. Illumination methods.

      • a. Externally illuminated signs may include ground or up-lighting, integral lighting, halo lighting, down lighting. All lighting should be designed to minimize glare, light spill, and provide no more illumination than is required for sign legibility at night.

      • b. Internally illuminated signs where light passes through the entire sign board are not an acceptable illumination method and are prohibited. However, illumination methods where the signboard or background is opaque and light passes only through the sign copy and logo are acceptable, and such signs are permitted.

      • c. Neon, LED, or other light sources, may be permitted where it can be demonstrated that their use furthers the goals within the adopted standards and guidelines for the PDP.

  • K. Site regulations.

    • 1. All site designs shall have adequate provisions for employee and customer parking as well as loading areas, and otherwise comply with parking and loading requirements as enumerated in article X of this zoning ordinance.

    • 2. Loading, service, utility and mechanical equipment shall be located towards the back of the building, or least visible area, and screened from public view and for the benefit of adjacent residential zones or residential uses.

    • 3. All approved off-street loading facilities shall be paved with asphalt or concrete, with adequate drainage and curbing. Where practical, pervious pavement should be utilized. Loading areas shall be located to the rear of any building wherever possible. Loading areas in the rear of side yards shall be screened to minimize exposure from the street and for the benefit of adjacent residential zones or residential uses.

    • 4. No trash facility (dumpsters, recycling areas, etc.) shall be located forward of the primary structure. Such facilities shall be located in the rear of the site (where practical) and be placed in compatibly designed outbuildings or utilize screening to minimize their visual impact and for the benefit of adjacent residential zones or residential uses.

    • 5. The site design shall have adequate provisions, as confirmed by the Fire Marshall, for fire lanes and emergency access, and provide building separation that meets both the applicable building and fire codes.

    • 6. Site design shall meet all of the applicable local and state standards for stormwater management and erosion and sediment control.

    • 7. Where practical, site design and building placements shall make use of existing topography and land features, to minimize the amount of cut and fill required.

    • 8. All sites shall provide safe means of vehicular ingress and egress from a public road with access drives and parking areas designed to ensure that vehicles are not required to back out onto public roads.

    • 9. Minimum driveway width for two-way traffic shall be twenty (20) feet wide; minimum driveway for one-way traffic shall be ten (10) feet.

    • 10. Where practical, sites should provide internal circulation links to adjoining sites.

    • 11. All permanent utility lines shall be located below grade.

    • 12. Sidewalks shall be provided. Installation and maintenance of sidewalks shall be the responsibility of the applicant, property owner, or developer of a PDP.

    • 13. Screening of adjacent residential zones or residential uses may include a combination of the following:

      • a. A dense vegetative buffer consisting of evergreen trees or shrubs, at least 6 feet in height at the time of planting, installed along the property line adjacent to residential lots.

      • b. A solid fence to further reduce visual and noise impact. The fence shall be constructed of materials that complement the surrounding environment and provide a continuous barrier.

  • L. Landscaping requirements.

    • 1. All developed land not covered by buildings, parking areas, driveways or other site improvements shall be appropriately landscaped. The owner of any lot shall at all times keep the property, including undeveloped areas, in good order and condition and properly maintained.

    • 2. A landscape plan stamped by a registered landscape architect, licensed in the State of Rhode Island, is required for all development plans. Such plans shall include the location of all landscaped areas with the proposed trees, shrubs or other plant or ground covering material with information on the size, type and spacing. The applicant shall have an improvement guarantee issued in the form of: 1) a surety bond, 2) certificate of deposit, or 3) original letter of credit.

    • 3. All planting beds shall have an a minimum two-foot uninterrupted boarder of grass or dense ground cover wherever landscaped areas abut paved areas to minimize mulch, topsoil, or sediments from being washed into drainage structures or systems.

    • 4. Landscape plans shall utilize existing site features including existing stone walls, mature trees, site topography, and vegetated buffers to the greatest extent practical.

    • 5. All individually developed parcels shall provide a minimum ten (10) foot wide landscaped planting strip between abutting properties.

    • 6. All individually developed parcels shall provide a minimum fifteen (15) foot wide landscaped planting strip between the front property line and side property line (where it is on a corner lot) or a ten-foot landscaped planting strip along the sides or rear property lines.

    • 7. Street trees, with a minimum caliper of two inches, shall be required for every 25 feet of frontage along the public right-of-way. Installation and maintenance of street trees shall be the responsibility of the applicant, property owner, or developer of a PDP. The applicant shall have an improvement guarantee issued in the form of: 1) a surety bond, 2) certificate of deposit, or 3) original letter of credit.

    • 8. Parking lot landscaped islands or planting beds shall be a minimum of five feet wide.

    • 9. A landscaping maintenance agreement shall be submitted to provide for maintenance of plantings utilizing acceptable horticultural practices and for replanting of new material where required plantings have not survived.

  • M. Building design requirements.

    • 1. Primary building entrances shall be prominently located, easily identifiable, and relate to human scale.

    • 2. Buildings shall be designed and oriented with an emphasis on the primary street on which they front.

    • 3. Buildings located on corner lots shall incorporate design elements that are respectful of their orientation.

    • 4. All mechanical, electrical, or utility equipment, service tie-ins or panels shall be adequately screened from public view utilizing materials and techniques that either blend in with or add architectural interest to the building.

    • 5. All rooftop mechanical or other equipment shall be adequately screened from public view utilizing materials and techniques that either blend in with or add architectural interest to the building unless it can be demonstrated that the equipment itself adds visual interest and furthers the goals in the adopted development standards and guidelines.

  • N. Lighting.

    • 1. Parking lot, vehicular and pedestrian circulation paths, and loading areas shall have adequate lighting for public safety. Lighting should be designed to minimize light spill or trespass light and to add interest and variety to the site.

    • 2. Mounting height for parking lot lighting fixtures shall not exceed 24 feet, measured to the center of the luminaire.

    • 3. Use of landscape, circulation and architectural lighting should be utilized rather than wall mounted security lighting or wall packs.

    • 4. Building lighting and architectural lighting should incorporate a variety of techniques and sources which minimize light spill, highlight architectural features, provide additional safety, and add interest and variety to the building(s) and site.

    • 5. All development proposals shall include a lighting plan that indicates fixture locations, light source type, and photometric data.

  • O. Review procedure. Proposed land development projects within a PDP shall be reviewed for their consistency with Tiverton's Zoning Ordinance and the adopted development standards and guidelines for the specific PDP. Proposed land development projects are subject to review under Appendix B, Land Development and Subdivision Regulations of the Tiverton Code of Ordinances.

(Ord. of 6-25-12; Ord. No. 2024-0010, 6-24-24; Ord. No. 2025-0006, § 2, 4-21-25; Ord. No. 2025-0010, §§ 3, 4, 6-9-25)