18.20.010 Dimensional requirements.
18.20.020 Supplemental dimensional regulations.
18.20.030 Regulations applicable to conservation developments.
18.20.040 Regulations applicable to cluster subdivisions.
18.20.050 Regulations applicable to large-scale retail development.
18.20.060 Dimensional regulations for particular uses.
18.20.070 Regulations applicable to inclusionary zoning.
18.20.010 Dimensional requirements. Minimum and maximum dimensional regulations applicable to permitted uses are shown in the following Table, though dimensional regulations for other uses may appear elsewhere in this Title:
(Ord. dated 7-15-08; Ord. dated 9-7-10; Ord. dated 11-19-13; Ord. dated 8-12-14; Ord. dated 1-2-18; Ord dated 3-21-23)
18.20.010 – TABLE of DIMENSIONAL REGULATIONS
| Zoning District | Use | Lot size (in acres equal to 43,560 sf) | Lot frontage (feet) | Front yard depth (feet) | Rear yard depth (feet) | Side yard depth (feet) | Maximum building coverage |
| R-3 | Single-family dwelling | 3 | 300 | 50 | 100 | 35 | 10% |
| | Two-family structure | 5 | 300 | 50 | 100 | 35 | 10% |
| R-2 | Single-family dwelling | 2 | 200 | 50 | 100 | 35 | 10% |
| | Two-family structure | 3 | 250 | 50 | 100 | 35 | 10% |
| R-1 | Single-family dwelling | 1 | 150 | 40 | 60 | 35 | 15% |
| | Two-family structure | 1.5 | 200 | 40 | 60 | 35 | 15% |
| NB | Permitted uses | 1 | 150 | 20 | 60 | 35 | 25% |
| GB | Permitted uses | 1 | 150 | 20 | 50 | 35 | 25% |
| LI | Permitted uses | 2 | 200 | 50 | 100 | 35 | 30% |
| I | Permitted uses | 2 | 200 | 50 | 100 | 35 | 30% |
| PUD-VC | Single-family dwelling | 12,000 sf | 50 | 10 | 20' | 10 | 65% |
| | Two-family structure | 15,000 sf | 100 | 10 | 20 | 10 | 65% |
| FT | Permitted uses | 2 | 200 | 50 | 100 | 35 | 30% |
| SV | Permitted uses | 1 | 150 | 10 | 50 | 25 | 25% |
| SV | Permitted uses - with public water supply | 20,000 sf | 80 | 10 | 30 | 10 | 25% |
18.20.010 – TABLE of DIMENSIONAL REGULATIONS (Part 2)
| Zoning District | Use | Maximum height of main structure (feet) | Maximum height of accessory structure (feet) | Side and rear yard depth - accessory structure (feet) | Maximum ground floor area - retail uses only (square feet) | Maximum height and number of stories - retail uses only (feet/stories) | Notes |
| R-3 | Single-family dwelling | 35 | 25 | 20 | | | |
| | Two-family structure | 35 | 25 | 20 | | | |
| R-2 | Single-family dwelling | 35 | 25 | 15 | | | |
| | Two-family structure | 35 | 25 | 15 | | | |
| R-1 | Single-family dwelling | 35 | 25 | 10 | | | |
| | Two-family structure | 35 | 25 | 10 | | | |
| NB | Permitted uses | 40 | 35 | 10 | 10,000 | | |
| GB | Permitted uses | 40 | 35 | 10 | 80,000* | 40 / 2 | *see 18.20.050 |
| LI | Permitted uses | 40 | 35 | 10 | 80,000* | 2 | *see 18.20.050 |
| I | Permitted uses | 40 | 35 | 10 | | 2 | |
| PUD-VC | Single-family dwelling | 35 | 25 | 10 | | | See Ch. 18.42 |
| | Two-family structure | 35 | 25 | 10 | | | |
| FT | Permitted uses | 40 | 35 | 10 | 80,000* | 2 | *see 18.20.050 |
| PD | Permitted uses | 40 | | | 65,000* | 40 / 2 | *see 18.20.050 |
| SV | Permitted uses | 40 | 35 | 10* | | | *see 18.20.050 |
18.20.020 Supplemental dimensional regulations.
A. Required minimum lot frontage shall be continuous.
B. Dimensional regulations for special permit uses are determined by the zoning board of review unless specifically set forth elsewhere in this title.
C. Lots with less than three hundred (300) feet of frontage shall have a depth to width ratio not exceeding 2.5 to 1, and side lot lines shall be within fifteen degrees (15°) of perpendicular with street lines, or radial to curved street lines. This requirement does not apply to lots in a conservation development.
D. In residential zoning districts, the frontage of a lot on a cul de sac or hammerhead shall be a minimum of 150 feet and shall be measured at the building setback line.
E. For the purpose of determining compliance with dimensional regulations, ramps constructed to provide handicapped individuals with access to buildings shall not be considered structures or additions to structures.
F. Spires, belfries, steeples, flagpoles, chimneys, water standpipes, and radio and television antennae for residential use are exempt from the maximum height regulations in all zoning districts.
G. Barns, silos, and other accessory structures located on farms are exempt from the maximum height regulations in all zoning districts. For the purposes of this subsection, a farm is a business that has a State of Rhode Island farm tax number, and that earns at least ten thousand dollars ($10,000) gross income on farm products annually on property in Richmond defined as either farm, forest or open space land pursuant to title 44, chapter 27 of the general laws.
H. In residential zoning districts, no accessory structure shall be placed in a required front yard. The space in a required front yard shall be open and unobstructed with the following exceptions:
1. Windowsills, cornices and other architectural features may extend into a front yard.
2. Vegetation including trees and shrubbery, fences, and terraces may be located in a front yard.
I. Lots not created for present or future development may be created without frontage, provided that access is provided by easement, and provided that such a lot is identified on the Final Plat by the words “Not for Development.”
J. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 18.20.010, when the building setbacks of the developed lots on either side of an undeveloped lot do not satisfy the minimum front yard requirements of this title, the building setback on the undeveloped lot may be equal to the average of the building setbacks of the lots on either side.
K. Dimensional regulations applicable to nonconforming lots are in Chapter 18.48 of this Title.
L. The required side and rear setbacks for accessory structures with a ground floor area greater than six hundred (600) square feet or that are greater than one story shall be the same as for a principle structure.
M. In the Planned District Development district, the R2 dimensional regulations apply to single family residential uses, and General Business dimensional regulations apply to commercial uses, unless the planning board varies the regulations in an approved planned district development.
N. Freshwater wetlands, flood hazard areas, easements for above-ground utilities, and land with ledge or rock outcrops within four feet of the surface may be included in any lot but shall not make up any part of the minimum lot area. Land shall not be excluded from minimum lot area, nor shall it be considered “land unsuitable for development” solely on account of its natural gradient.
O. Yard dimensions applicable to uses on property in the PUB zoning district not owned by the town shall be determined by the planning board during development plan review.
(Ord. dated 7-15-08; Ord. dated 9-7-10; Ord. dated 11-19-13; Ord. dated 7-20-21)
span class=GramE>18.20.030 Regulations applicable to conservation developments. The dimensional regulations for conservation developments are in Chapter 18.41 of this Title.
(Ord. dated 7-15-08; Ord. dated 9-7-10; Ord. dated 11-19-13)
18.20.040 Regulations applicable to cluster subdivisions.
A. The minimum dimensional requirements for lots in cluster subdivisions that were approved between 1985 and 2003 and recorded in the land evidence records, except for the lots identified in subsection B, are shown in Table 18.20.040A.
TABLE 18.20.040 A
| Use | Lot area | Lot frontage | Front yard depth | Rear yard depth | Side yard depth (each) |
| Single family dwelling | 40,000 sq. ft. | 100 feet; 70 feet on a cul de sac | 30 feet | 40 feet | 25 feet |
B. The following lots have the minimum dimensional requirements in Table 18.20.040B:
Assessor's Plat 8C: Lots 60-7, 60-8, 60-9, 60-10, 60-11, 60-12, 60-13, 60-14, 60-15, 60-16, 60-17, 60-18, 60-19, 60-20, 60-21, and 60-22; Assessor's Plat 7C: Lots 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6; 2-23, 2-24; 2-25, 2-26, 2-27, 2-28, 2-29, 2-30, 2-31, 2-32, 2-33, 2-34, 2-35; and 2-56, 2-57, 2-58, and 2-59; Assessor's Plat 7D: Lots 1-36, 1-37, 1-38, 1-39, 1-40, 1-41, 1-42, 1-43, 1-44, 1-45, 1-46, 1-47, 1-48, 1-49, 1-50, 1-51, 1-52, 1-53, 1-54, and 1-55.
TABLE 18.20.040 B
| Use | Lot size | Lot frontage | Front yard depth | Rear yard depth | Side yard depth (each) |
| Single family dwelling | 40,000 sq. ft. | 70 feet | 35 feet | 45 feet | 25 feet |
C. The side and rear yard setback for accessory structures in approved cluster subdivisions is ten feet.
D. The maximum height for principal and accessory structures and the maximum percentage of lot coverage in approved cluster subdivisions are those in the underlying zoning district.
(Ord. dated 11-19-13)
18.20.050 Regulations applicable to large-scale retail development.
A. The maximum ground floor area in section 18.20.010 shall apply to individual retail stores and also shall apply to the cumulative ground floor area of related or successive permits for retail stores that are part of a unified project, such as incremental additions to a building, or multiple buildings on one lot or on adjacent lots.
B. The ground floor area of adjacent stores shall be aggregated in cases where the stores are engaged in the selling of similar or related goods or services and operate under common ownership or management; share checkout stands, a warehouse, or a distribution facility; or otherwise operate as associated, integrated, or co-operative business enterprises.
C. In addition to the maximum ground floor area for retail uses, no more than ten thousand (10,000) square feet shall be devoted to exterior retail sales areas, regardless of their use.
(Ord. dated 9-7-10)
18.20.060 Dimensional regulations for particular uses.
A. Cemeteries (use code 308) and pet cemeteries (use code 756) shall have a minimum lot size of ten (10) acres, excluding wetlands. Internal driveways shall be no closer than one hundred (100) feet to side and rear property lines.
B. Dog boarding or breeding kennels (use code 754), except those in the PD and PUB zoning districts, shall be located on a lot having a minimum area of ten (10) acres, excluding wetlands. Dog boarding or breeding kennels in the PD zoning district shall be located on a lot having a minimum area of four (4) acres, excluding wetlands. All buildings and outdoor runs or exercise areas associated with the kennel use shall be at least one hundred fifty (150) feet from any lot line.
C. Facilities that produce or process mulch, compost, potting soil, or soil amendments (use code 952) shall have a minimum lot size of twenty-five (25) acres, excluding wetlands. Outdoor storage or processing of material shall take place no closer than one hundred (100) feet from any lot line. Structures containing equipment or material shall be located no closer than one hundred (100) feet from any lot line if the adjacent property is in a residential or PUD-VC zoning district.
(Ord. dated 11-19-13)
D. The following dimensional regulations apply to the following use codes in the zoning district where those use codes are permitted:
(Ord. dated 1-2-18; Ord. dated 2-18-20; Ord. dated 7-20-21)
TABLE 18.20.060 D (Part 1)
| Use code | Use | Lot size (in acres of 43,560 s.f.) | Lot frontage (feet) | Front yard depth (feet) | Rear yard depth (feet) | Side yard depth (feet) |
| 116 | Mobile or manufactured home park | 3 | 300 | 50 | 100 | 35 |
| 210 | Keeping, breeding domestic livestock | 3 | 300 | 50 | 100 | 35 |
| 214 | Indoor horticulture | 3 | 300 | 50 | 100 | 35 |
| 408 | Golf course | 3 | 300 | 50 | 100 | 35 |
| 409 | Fairgrounds | 3 | 300 | 50 | 100 | 35 |
| 432 | Park, botanical garden open to public | 3 | 300 | 50 | 100 | 35 |
TABLE 18.20.060 D (Part 2)
| Use code | Use | Maximum building coverage | Maximum ht. main structure (ft) | Maximum ht. accessory structure (ft) | Side, rear yard depth accessory structure (ft) | Notes |
| 116 | Mobile or manufactured home park | 10% | 35 | 25 | 20 | Applies in R-2 and R-3 zoning districts |
| 210 | Keeping, breeding domestic livestock | 10% | 40 | 30 | 20 | Applies in R-2 and R-3 zoning districts |
| 214 | Indoor horticulture | 10% | 35 | 25 | 20 | Applies in R-1, R-2, R-3 zoning districts |
| 408 | Golf course | 10% | 35 | 25 | 20 | Applies in R-2 and R-3 zoning districts |
| 409 | Fairgrounds | 10% | 35 | 25 | 20 | Applies in R-2 and R-3 zoning districts |
| 432 | Park, botanical garden open to public | 10% | 35 | 25 | 20 | Applies in R-1, R-2 and R-3 zoning districts |
18.20.070 Dimensional regulations applicable to inclusionary zoning. Lots created in a subdivision designed to comply with the inclusionary zoning requirements in Ch. 18.18 of this Title are considered conforming in area and other dimensional requirements, notwithstanding their failure to satisfy the area and other dimensional requirements of this Title at the time they were created.
(Ord. dated 6-16-15)
REFERENCES
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-24-33(a)(4); Code § 18.48.010, ch. 18.41, ch. 18.59.