Title 45
Towns and Cities
Chapter 24.3
Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-24.3-10
§ 45-24.3-10. General requirements relating to the safe and sanitary construction and maintenance
of parts of dwellings and dwelling units.
No person shall occupy, as owner or occupant, or let to another for occupancy, any
dwelling or dwelling unit, for the purpose of living, which does not comply with the
following requirements:
(1) Every foundation, floor, roof, ceiling, and exterior and interior wall must be reasonably
weathertight, watertight, and damp free, and shall be kept in sound condition and
good repair. Floors, interior walls, and ceilings must be sound and in good repair.
All exterior wood surfaces, other than decay resistant woods, must be protected from
the elements and decay by paint or other protective covering or treatment. Potentially
hazardous materials will not be used where readily accessible to children. Walls must
be capable of affording privacy for the occupants. Every premise must be graded, drained,
free of standing water, and maintained in a clean, sanitary, and safe condition.
(2) Potentially hazardous material on the interior surfaces of any dwelling unit, rooming
house, rooming unit, or facility occupied by children is prohibited. The interior
surfaces include, but are not limited to, window sills, window frames, doors, door
frames, walls, ceilings, stair-rails and spindles, or other appurtenances.
(3) Lead-based substances are prohibited whenever circumstances present a clear and significant
health risk to the occupants of the property, as defined by regulations of the department
of health.