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ADUs are allowed in Westerly
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Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Westerly, RI

Is your property eligible for an ADU?

# of Properties
10,251
Owner-occupied
56%
Zoning districts
26
Avg Home Value
$830,755
Median Lot Size
0.42 acres
Avg Income
$115,099
Residential Types:
10,251 housing units
Single Family
81%
2-3 Family
10%
Apts (4+ units)
1%
Other
8%
Zoning Districts:
11,995 parcels · 26 districts
MDR-20
19%(2,300)
HDR-6
18%(2,141)
HDR-15
17%(2,076)
MDR-30
17%(2,054)
Other
29%(3,424)

ADU Rules

What can you build in Westerly, RI?

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

Parking

  • 1 space/ADU; off-site allowed within 500 ft in commercial/industrial districts

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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Is your property eligible for an ADU?

ADU rules in other Rhode Island municipalities

Rules change at the town line. Check the municipality your property is actually in.

Washington County

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