Sec. 14-544. - General requirements—Application, inspection, and permit required.

(a)

The host must submit the required application and pay all required fees prior to advertising or renting any privately-owned residential dwelling for a period of less than thirty consecutive days.

(1)

All short-term rental units shall be registered by the host with the town and the host must obtain a short-term rental permit.

(2)

Transferability—A short-term rental permit is not transferrable and may not be assigned, transferred, or loaned to any other person or to any other dwelling unit or location. The short-term rental permit shall automatically expire upon sale or transfer of the dwelling unit.

(b)

Inspections.

(1)

At the time of application, the dwelling unit and short-term rental unit shall be scheduled for inspection by the building official and the fire marshal or his/her designee, prior to the issuance of the permit.

(2)

The purpose of the inspection(s) is to determine compliance with the relevant state building codes, fire codes and town ordinances, including, but not limited to ensuring smoke and CO detectors are installed and compliance with the RI Life Safety Code for dwelling units and short-term rental unit; the occupancy limit of the unit pursuant to this short-term rental ordinance; and to determine the number of on-site parking spaces required and available.

(3)

The building official shall issue a short-term rental permit stating the maximum occupancy for the dwelling unit. The building official and/or fire marshal may conduct subsequent inspection(s) of any short-term rental unit upon a complaint or for any other proper reason pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws, applicable regulations and/or town ordinances.

(4)

Any deficiencies found by the building official or fire marshal must be satisfactorily addressed by the host prior to the use or re-use of the short-term rental unit.

(5)

The host has proof of general liability insurance for short-term rental use with a minimum amount of $1,000,000.00 combined single limit.

(c)

The town shall establish fees for the permitting of short-term rentals and fines for violations of this short-term rental ordinance.

All short-term rental unit permits shall expire on August 31 st of each year unless revoked, rescinded and/or returned, in the manner described in this short-term rental ordinance.

(Ch. 1123, § 3, 5-6-2024, eff. 9-1-2024)