ADUs are allowed in RichmondTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Richmond, RI
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
2,758
Owner-occupied
85%
Zoning districts
16
Avg Home Value
$409,965
Median Lot Size
1.19 acres
Avg Income
$130,213
Residential Types:
2,758 housing units
Single Family
98%
Other
2%
Zoning Districts:
3,539 parcels · 16 districts
R-2
58%(2,062)
R-3
31%(1,083)
R-1
2%(88)
GB
2%(73)
Other
7%(233)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Richmond, RI?
Richmond, 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 the greater of 800 sq ft or 50% of the principal dwelling’s gross floor area.
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size is the larger of 800 sq ft or 50% of the principal dwelling’s gross floor area; in the Village Overlay District, it must also be smaller than the principal structure.
Max Units
- –1 ADU per lot (single-family or multi-unit)
- –Ag Overlay farm lots: 1 ADU per farm lot
Owner Occupancy
- –Owner must occupy either the ADU or principal dwelling
Parking
- –No more than 1 space per ADU; minimum not stated; development plan review may reduce below 1.
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.
Washington County