ADUs are allowed in East ProvidenceTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for East Providence, RI
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
13,400
Owner-occupied
100%
Zoning districts
25
Median Lot Size
0.16 acres
Avg Income
$90,753
Residential Types:
13,400 housing units
Single Family
87%
Apts (4+ units)
13%
Zoning Districts:
15,535 parcels · 25 districts
R-3
35%(5,457)
R-4
26%(4,042)
R-6
18%(2,732)
I-1
4%(680)
Other
17%(2,624)
ADU Rules
What can you build in East Providence, RI?
East Providence, RI follows state and local rules for Accessory Dwelling Units. Here is a concise overview of the local rules.
Eligibility
- –Internal / Attached ADU: By Right
- –Detached ADU: By Right
Interior / Attached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size is 60% of the principal dwelling’s floor area.
- –One-bedroom in-home apartment has a maximum size of 900 sq ft.
- –Two-bedroom in-home apartment has a maximum size of 1200 sq ft.
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum of 1200 sq ft for two-bedroom ADUs and 900 sq ft for one-bedroom ADUs.
- –Maximum size of 60% of the principal dwelling’s floor area.
Max Units
- –Max 1 per lot
Owner Occupancy
- –Owner occupancy is not required for ADUs
Parking
- –1 additional space if ADU >1 bedroom or property has <50% of required parking; otherwise none
Rental Restrictions
- –Short-term rentals (≤28 days) allowed only in R, C-1, and C-2 districts; otherwise prohibited
ADU State Law
What can you build in Rhode Island?
- –On an owner-occupied property as a reasonable accommodation for family members with disabilities;
- –On a lot with a total lot area of twenty thousand square feet (20,000 sq. ft.) or more for which the primary use is residential;
- –Where the proposed ADU is located within the existing footprint of the primary structure or existing accessory attached or detached structure and does not expand the footprint of the structure.
- –Subject to applicable dimensional requirements of the municipality
- –As per §45-24-38 of the RI Zoning Enabling Act, if an existing lot is smaller than the minimum lot size required by zoning, its setback requirements are reduced in proportion to the lot's size, and its maximum lot coverage is increased by the inverse proportion.
- –One ADU per lot
- –No short term rentals
- –Studio or 1 bedroom ADU may be up to 900 sq ft or 60% of the Gross Floor Area of the principal dwelling, whichever is less
- –2 bedroom ADU may be up to 1200 sq ft or 60% of the Gross Floor Area of the principal dwelling, whichever is less
What's allowed on your lot?
These are the municipality-wide rules. What's allowed on a specific property also depends on state laws, setbacks, floor area ratio, lot coverage, environmental constraints, topography, and other property-specific factors. Search your address on FutureLot to see what's allowed on your property.
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ADU rules in other Rhode Island municipalities
Rules change at the town line. Check the municipality your property is actually in.
Providence County