Priority issuance

Building permits shall be issued by the Building Official up to the maximum number permitted by the applicable calculated quota, in the order of priority assigned below. In the event of a tie, priority shall go to the application with the earlier date and time of the submission of a complete application.

• A. First priority. The first priority shall be given to applications for construction of low- and moderate-income housing. "Low- and moderate-income housing" means any housing subsidized by the federal or state government under any program to assist the construction or rehabilitation of low- and moderate housing, as defined in the applicable federal or state statute, whether built or operated by any public agency or any nonprofit organization, or by any limited-equity housing cooperative or any private developer. Entities eligible are: 1) any public agency, nonprofit organization or limited-equity housing cooperative proposing to build or rehabilitate low- and moderate-income housing; or 2) any private developer proposing a low- and moderate-income rental housing which remain as low- and moderate-income housing for a period of not less than 30 years from initial occupancy. Projects eligible or sponsored by an eligible entity and: (1) are eligible and approved for a subsidy for the state or federal government under any program to assist the construction or rehabilitation of low- and moderate-income housing; and (2) have at least the minimum number of units reserved for low- and moderate-income housing as defined by the program providing the subsidy or 25% of the total number of units reserved for low- and moderate-income housing, whichever is greater. The number of such permits issued shall not be deducted from the current year's allotment of permits, but shall be amortized according to the schedule set forth in § 400-161 above.
• B. Second priority.
  • (1) The second priority shall be given to applications for construction of a new single-family detached dwellings, provided that:
    • (a) The applicant owned the lot to be built before the effective date of this article; or
    • (b) The lot to be built upon was subdivided from a larger parcel before the effective date of this article.
  • (2) This priority level shall not apply:
    • (a) If the applicant has previously received a permit for a new single-family detached dwelling in West Greenwich; or
    • (b) The lot to be built upon was under common ownership with a lot or parcel that has previously received a building permit for a new single-family detached dwelling in West Greenwich within two years prior to the date of application.
• C. Third priority. The third priority shall be reserved for ultra-low-density family compounds, when and if enacted.
• D. Fourth priority. The fourth priority shall be given to applicants whose application for construction of a dwelling has been denied for four consecutive quarters because of the provisions of this article.
• E. Remainder. The remainder of the quota shall be issued to any other applications in the order of complete applications received.