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ADUs are allowed in Woonsocket
Types:DetachedInternal

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Woonsocket, RI

Is your property eligible for an ADU?

# of Properties
8,036
Owner-occupied
100%
Zoning districts
15
Avg Home Value
$241,467
Median Lot Size
0.18 acres
Avg Income
$72,100
Residential Types:
8,036 housing units
Single Family
65%
2-3 Family
35%
Zoning Districts:
10,419 parcels · 15 districts
R-2
31%(3,225)
R-4
30%(3,075)
R-3
25%(2,609)
MU-1
5%(542)
Other
9%(968)

ADU Rules

What can you build in Woonsocket, RI?

Woonsocket, RI follows state and local rules for Accessory Dwelling Units. Here is a concise overview of the local rules.

Interior / Attached ADU Size Limits

  • Maximum size of 35% of the principal dwelling's floor area

Detached ADU Size Limits

  • Maximum ADU size of 35% of the principal dwelling’s floor area
  • ADU footprint limited to remaining lot coverage under 25% maximum (including principal and other structures)

Parking

  • 1 off-street space/ADU

Rental Restrictions

  • Only owner's relatives (by blood, marriage, or legal) may occupy the ADU; renting to non-relatives 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

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