Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Kent County, RI

State law requires registration for any property advertised on a third-party hosting platform and municipalities may impose local rules; e.g., Warwick permits STRs in specified zoning districts only, requires a local representative within 50 miles, annual inspections (building and fire), occupancy limits (maximum two persons per bedroom and limited by OWTS), and posting of the permit and 24/7 contact information inside the unit.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Kent County. 1) Register the property with the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation via the eLicensing portal (state registration fee $25; registration valid one calendar year). 2) If the property’s municipality requires a local permit (e.g., Warwick), apply to the municipality’s permitting/Building Department portal, submit the owner affidavit and registration form, pay any municipal fee (Warwick ordinance states $250/year), and arrange required annual inspections by the Building Official and Fire Marshal. 3) Post the issued permit and 24/7 contact info in the unit and maintain renter records as required.

1) Register the property with the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation via the eLicensing portal (state registration fee $25; registration valid one calendar year). 2) If the property’s municipality requires a local permit (e.g., Warwick), apply to the municipality’s permitting/Building Department portal, submit the owner affidavit and registration form, pay any municipal fee (Warwick ordinance states $250/year), and arrange required annual inspections by the Building Official and Fire Marshal. 3) Post the issued permit and 24/7 contact info in the unit and maintain renter records as required.