[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Johnston as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 7-9-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-2]
In accordance with Rhode Island General Laws § 42-63.1-14, as may be amended from time to time, a residential unit may be offered for tourist or transient use as long as the room reseller:
A. 
Acquires a state license in accordance with R.I.G.L. § 44-19-1, as may be amended from time to time; and
B. 
Appropriately collects and pays all applicable taxes, including but not limited to those set forth in R.I.G.L. §§ 44-18-18, 44-18-36.1, and 44-18-20, as each may be amended from time to time.
A. 
No person shall offer her/his residential unit for tourist or transient use without first having obtained a license from the Town of Johnston. A license application must be filed with the Town Clerk. A license will not be issued by the Town Clerk until all provisions of this section have been met.
B. 
An application for a license must be made on a form containing such information as may be determined by the Town Clerk to be pertinent, including, but not limited to information set forth herein, and shall be certified to by the applicant.
C. 
If only certain rooms within a premises are to be utilized for tourist or transient uses by the applicant, said applicant must indicate on the application the location of each and every room or space which is to be used for such purpose.
D. 
Licenses shall be issued for not more than one year and shall expire on the 31st day of May. However, any license issued in the month of May shall expire on May 31 of the following year.
E. 
Licenses may be revoked for failure to comply with the provisions of this section or any other provisions of state or Town law.
F. 
The license fee shall be $150 and shall be collected by the Town Clerk.
G. 
A license shall be issued only after it has been determined that the applicant has complied with all requirements set forth herein and set forth in the applicable Rhode Island General Laws, including, but not limited to, acquiring all appropriate state licensure, causing an inspection to be made of the premises to be licensed, certification from the Building Official and Fire Department that such premises has been inspected and such premises complies with all laws and the rules and regulations of the Rhode Island Building and Fire Codes.
A license issued under the provisions of this article is not transferable and shall not be used on any premises other than the premises stated in such license.
All premises licensed hereunder shall be kept at all times in a clean, healthful and sanitary condition. The Building Official, the Police Commissioner, the Fire Commissioner or any inspector or uniformed patrolman or fireman of their departments shall have the power, upon complaint made, to inspect the premises to ensure compliance with this article.
The premises shall not include any audio, video, photographic or other equipment that may record or reproduce any activity occurring in either the rented space or common areas.
Whenever a license is issued in accordance with this article, the Town of Johnston may cause the premises to be inspected by the Building Official and/or the Johnston Fire Department.
Anyone found to have violated any of the provisions of this article shall be punishable as provided in Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article II, of this Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article II, General Penalty.