No building or structure shall be erected, occupied or used and no land or premises shall be used except as authorized in Section 17.20.030 and in compliance with Section 17.20.110. In Section 17.20.030, the symbols have the following meanings:
Y = use allowed
s = use allowed by special permit
N = use not allowed
Accessory uses and buildings incidental to the principal uses shall be interpreted as permitted with the principal use, subject to Sections 17.20.030 and 17.60.010.
(Prior code § 30-6; Ord. 2026-2, 1/20/2026)
A. 
The uses authorized in Section 17.20.030 are subject to all the applicable requirements in this chapter. Certain categories of uses in Section 17.20.030 are permitted only in compliance with additional performance standards articulated elsewhere in this chapter.
B. 
The following uses shall be permitted uses within all residential zoning use districts of a municipality and all commercial zoning use districts except where residential use is prohibited for public health or safety reasons:
1. 
Households.
2. 
Community residences.
3. 
Family day care homes.
C. 
Any time a building or other structure used for residential purposes, or a portion of a building containing residential units, is rendered uninhabitable by virtue of a casualty such as fire or flood, the owner of the property is allowed to park, temporarily, mobile and manufactured homes, as the need may be, elsewhere upon the land, for use and occupancy of the former occupants for a period of up to 12 months, or until the building or structure is rehabilitated and otherwise made fit for occupancy. The property owner, or a properly designated agent of the owner, is only allowed to cause the mobile and manufactured home, or homes, to remain temporarily upon the land by making timely application to the local building official for the purposes of obtaining the necessary permits to repair or rebuild the structure.
D. 
Appropriate access for people with disabilities to residential structures is allowed as a reasonable accommodation for any person(s) residing, or intending to reside, in the residential structure.
E. 
When used in this section, the terms "people with disabilities" or "member, or members, with disabilities" means a person(s) who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, as defined in RIGL § 42-87-1(5).
F. 
Adaptive Reuse.
1. 
Adaptive reuse for the conversion of any commercial building, including offices, schools, religious facilities, medical buildings, mills, and malls into residential units or mixed-use developments which include the development of at least 50% of the existing gross floor area into residential units, shall be a permitted use.
2. 
Prohibitions. Adaptive reuse under this section shall not be allowed where:
a. 
Residential use is prohibited by environmental land use restrictions recorded on the property by the state of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management or the United States Environmental Protection Agency;
b. 
In the M-1 and M-2 zoning districts, or a portion thereof, where residential use is prohibited for public health and safety reasons which are based on specific and detailed findings;
c. 
In any building previously used for industrial or manufacturing use(s), which has not been vacant of an industrial use for less than one year prior to the submission of the permit or application for adaptive reuse.
3. 
Density. Provided that all minimum building, rehabilitation, and fire code requirements are met for all residential units, as applicable; and provided that, for projects with more than four residential units, not less than 10% of low- or moderate-income housing is provided. If less than 10% of low- or moderate-income housing is provided, then the allowable maximum density shall be less than 15 units per acre.
4. 
Dimensional Requirements.
a. 
Building Envelope. The development shall be limited to the existing building envelope, except that the envelope is allowed to be expanded to accommodate upgrades of non-occupiable space related to the building and fire codes and utilities such as HVAC equipment, stairs, and elevators.
b. 
Parking. A minimum of one off-street parking space for the first two bedrooms of any dwelling unit shall be provided and one additional parking space per additional bedroom.
c. 
Existing Setbacks. Existing building setbacks shall remain and shall be considered legal nonconforming, but no additional encroachments shall be permitted into any nonconforming setback, unless relief is granted by the applicable authority.
d. 
Height. For adaptive reuse projects, the height of the existing structure, if it exceeds the maximum height of the zoning district, may remain and shall be considered legal nonconforming, and any non-occupiable rooftop construction such as HVAC equipment and stairs or elevator towers, but excluding rooftop decks, shall be included within the height exemption.
5. 
Water and Sewer. The development shall have access to public water and sewer services or shall have access to adequate private water, such as a well(s) and and/or on-site wastewater treatment system(s) approved by the relevant state agency.
G. 
Manufactured homes, as defined in Section 17.04.030, that comply with RIGL § 23-27.3-109.1.3 shall be allowed as a type of single-family home on any lot zoned for single-family use. Such home shall comply with all dimensional requirements of a single-family home in the district.
(Prior code § 30-7; Ord. 2026-2, 1/20/2026)
The following pages enumerate principal uses accepted by the city and identify the zoning districts within which they are permitted.
TABLE OF PRINCIPAL USE* ++
 
A-80
A-20
A-12
A-8
A-6
B-1
B-2
C-1
C-2
C-3
C-4
C-5
M-1
M-2
S-1
EI
G
RESIDENTIAL** +++
Attached single-family dwelling
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Co-living housing
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Community residence
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Dormitory
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Family day care home
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Fraternity/sorority house
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
N
Manufactured homes
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Manufactured home park/manufactured home subdivision
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Multi-family dwelling
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
N
Residence above first story business use
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Rooming, boarding house
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Single-family dwelling
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
N
Tourist home, bed and breakfast
S
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Two-family dwelling
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
N
INSTITUTIONAL** +++
Assisted Living facility
N
N
Y
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Cemetery
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
N
Y
Cultural use
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Educational institution-preschool, primary, secondary, charter
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
Y
Y
N
Higher education institution
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Hospital
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
N
N
N
N
Y
Lodge/fraternal organization
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Y
N
Municipal services other than those listed elsewhere
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Nursing home
N
N
Y
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Public safety facility
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Religious worship (place of)
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
State agency
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
OPEN SPACE/RECREATIONAL** +++
Golf club and course
Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
N
N
Marina
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
Open space area
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Municipal park, playground, and outdoor sports field
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Recreational membership club
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
Y
Y
Yacht club
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
AGRICULTURAL** +++
Agricultural operations
Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
N
N
BUSINESS** +++
Adult day care
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
Y
Adult entertainment (see Section 17.80.010)
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
S
S
N
N
N
Animal Day Care
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
Animal Grooming Services
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Antiques, second hand shop, consignment shop
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Artisan's workshop (studio)
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
Y
N
Bakery, retail
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
Bakery, wholesale
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
Bank, financial institution
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
Y
N
Banquet facility
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Barber shop, beauty salon
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
Y
N
Body art establishment
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Book, stationery, gift shop
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
Y
N
Brew pub
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Business, professional office
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
N
Business/trade school
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
N
Car wash/detailing
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Catering service
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
Check cashing facility
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Commercial day care
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Commercial off-street parking
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Commercial recreation
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Communication service and broadcast studio
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
Convenience store
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
Y
N
Crematory
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
Day Spa
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
*Drive-in restaurant
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Drug store
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
Y
N
Florist shop
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
Fuel station full service
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
S
S
Y
Y
S
S
N
N
N
Fuel station minimart
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Funeral home
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Garden center
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Hardware store
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Health, fitness club
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Home improvement center
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Kennel
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Kiosk, freestanding exterior
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Landscape and tree services
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Laundromat
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Loft space (live/work)
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Medical or dental clinic
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
N
Medical/diagnostic laboratory
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Motel, hotel
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
Y
N
Motor and recreational vehicle and watercraft sale
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Motor vehicle repair and service establishment light
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Music and dance studio
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
Y
N
Night club
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Nursery
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
Y
N
N
Outdoor retail
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Passenger transportation terminal
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
Pawn shop
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Personal services establishment
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
Y
N
Print shop
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Restaurant without drive-in facility
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Retail laundromat and drycleaning establishment
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Retail sale large scale
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Retail sale small scale
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Supermarket
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Tavern/pub/neighborhood bar
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Theater, movie cinema
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
Y
N
Towing operations w/storage
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Urgent care facility
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Veterinarian hospital or clinic
S
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Wholesale sales
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
INDUSTRIAL** +++
Alternative energy generation
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
N
Arts and crafts manufacturing
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
Asphalt, cement or concrete plant
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Automobile body repair shop and paint shop
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Brewery or distillery
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
Commercial laundry, dry cleaning service
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
Container storage
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Contractor yard
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
Data processing facility
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
Distribution Center
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
Electronic and computer component recycling
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Extractive industries
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Food/beverage processing establishment
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
Foundry
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Hazardous waste landfill and hazardous waste injection well
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Hazardous processing facility
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Hazardous waste transfer station, incinerator
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Industrial equipment rental
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
Manufacture heavy
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Manufacture light
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
Manufacture of rubber and plastics
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
Metal plating
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
Motor vehicle repair and service establishment heavy
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Motor vehicle storage
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Outdoor advertising, billboards
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Paint production
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
Printing and publishing
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
Recycling facility
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Research/development facility
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
Retail heating fuel supplier
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
Sanitation services
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
Self storage, mini-storage
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
Solar power
Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
!Minor accessory solar energy system
S!
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
S!
Y
Y
Major accessory solar energy system
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Principal solar energy system
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
Solid waste transfer facility
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Telecommunications antenna
S
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
S
S
Y
Telecommunications tower
S
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
S
S
S
S
S
S
Y
Upholstering shop
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
Trucking terminal
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
Warehousing, commercial
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
Welding shop, metal fabrication
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
Notes:
The symbols have the following meanings:
Y = use allowed
S = use allowed by special permit
N = use not allowed
*Massage therapy establishment: See day spa.
**Should any use not be listed herein, the zoning official shall review the application using the criteria of the use most similar to the proposed use and also shall determine if the proposed use is similar in type, character, and intensity as a listed use requiring a special use permit.
!A special use permit is required for ground-mounted minor accessory SESs only. A special use permit is not required for roof-mounted SESs, building-integrated SESs or solar canopies.
++Uses authorized elsewhere in the use table.
+++For any use that requires a state license or permit, receipt of said license or permit shall be required as part of the definition.
(Prior code § 30-8; Ord. 04-51 § 6 Exh. A; Ord. 06-28 § 1; Ord. 06-48 § 1; Ord. 2010-28, § 3, 9/27/2010; Ord. 2012-24, § 1, 9/24/2012; Ord. 2015-32, § 1, 11/23/2015; Ord. 2020-3, § 1, 1/21/2020; Ord. 2020-11, § 1, 2/24/2020; Ord. 2023-27, § 1, 12/19/2023; Ord. 2026-2, 1/20/2026)
A. 
Subdivision of Land.
1. 
Minor and major subdivisions of land, as defined by the city of Cranston Subdivision Regulations, as amended, shall not be approved unless all buildable lots are in conformity with the minimum lot area and minimum lot width and frontage as per Section 17.20.120, Schedule of intensity regulations.
2. 
Administrative subdivisions of land, as defined by the city of Cranston Subdivision Regulations, as amended, shall not be approved unless all buildable lots are in conformity with the minimum lot area and minimum lot width and frontage as per Section 17.20.120, Schedule of intensity regulations, unless the proposal results in the reduction of existing nonconformities and/or does not create or intensify any nonconformity.
B. 
Development Proposals.
1. 
Primary structures shall be permitted on substandard lots of record unless said lot is merged to form a conforming lot per Section 17.88.010 (Substandard lots of records and lot mergers), and provided that the lot has sufficient accommodations for vehicular access including that required for emergency vehicles as determined by the fire chief or his/her designee. Such proposals shall not require conformance with minimum lot area, lot width, lot depth, or lot frontage of the zoning district the lot is located in. Instead, the following applies:
a. 
 
i. 
If there is a zoning district in which the subject lot conforms to the minimum lot size requirements listed in Section 17.20.120, the lot shall comply with the building setback, lot frontage, and lot width requirements for said zoning district.
ii. 
If the subject lot is not conforming as to lot area in any zoning district, the setback, frontage, and/or lot width requirements for a structure subject to this section and Section 17.88.010 shall be reduced by the same proportion as the lot area of the substandard lot is to the minimum lot requirement of the zoning district in which the lot is located.
b. 
Maximum lot building coverage for lots that are nonconforming in area shall be increased by the inverse proportion that the area of such substandard lot meets the minimum area requirements in the district in which the lot is located.
2. 
All proposals exceeding such reduced requirement shall proceed with a modification request under Section 17.20.130, or a dimensional variance request under Section 17.92.010, whichever is applicable.
3. 
Accessory structures may be permitted on substandard lots of record, in accordance with Chapter 17.60, Accessory Uses, and shall not require conformance with minimum lot area and lot width and frontage.
4. 
Additions, expansions or renovations to existing structures on substandard lots of record that do not result in a required increase of minimum lot area per Sections 17.20.090, Specific requirements and 17.20.120, Schedule of intensity regulations may be permitted and shall not require conformance with minimum lot area and lot width and frontage. Additions, expansions or renovations which result in a required increase in the minimum lot area per Section 17.20.090, Specific requirements and Section 17.20.120, Schedule of intensity regulations shall require conformance with minimum lot area and lot width and frontage.
C. 
Changes of Use.
1. 
Changes of use which result in a required increase in minimum lot area per Sections 17.20.090, Specific requirements and 17.20.120, Schedule of intensity regulations shall require conformance with minimum lot area and lot width and frontage.
2. 
Changes of use which do not result in a required increase in minimum lot area per Sections 17.20.090, Specific requirements and 17.20.120, Schedule of intensity regulations shall not require conformance with minimum lot area and lot width and frontage.
No exemption in this section shall be meant to provide relief from any other section of the zoning code.
(Prior code § 30-9; Ord. 2021-9, § 1, 5/24/2021; Ord. 2023-27, § 1, 12/19/2023; Ord. 2026-2, 1/20/2026)
No lot, yard, required open space or off-street parking area shall be so reduced, diminished, modified or maintained that the yards or other open space, total lot area or off-street parking shall be smaller than prescribed in this chapter.
(Prior code § 30-10)
No part of a yard, parking space or other open space required about any building or use for the purpose of complying with the provisions of this chapter shall be included as part of a yard, parking space or other open space required under this chapter for another building except as provided in subsection 17.88.010(p)(7).
(Prior code § 30-11)
In no case shall there be more than one main residential building and its accessory buildings on one lot in the A-6, A-8, A-12, A-20 A-80 and B-l districts. Where more than one dwelling is permitted they shall be so located as to permit subdivision of the lot in conformity to this chapter. This regulation shall not apply to residential buildings used for *educational purposes. It shall also not apply to any buildings used for congregate retirement living facilities or nursing homes where located in the A-12 or B-1 zones.
(Prior code § 30-12; Ord. 2012-22, § 1, 8/27/2012)
No dwelling shall be erected on a lot which does not abut a public street for the full frontage of the lot.
(Prior code § 30-13)
A. 
The minimum lot areas in Section 17.20.120 are for a single-family dwelling in districts in which dwellings are permitted. For a two-family dwelling, the minimum lot area shall be eight thousand (8,000) square feet. For multi-family dwellings the minimum lot area shall be six thousand (6,000) square feet for the first dwelling unit, plus four thousand (4,000) square feet for each of the next nine dwelling units, plus three thousand five hundred (3,500) square feet for each dwelling unit in excess of ten (10) dwelling units; provided, however, that for the multi-family structures designed for the elderly, ninety (90) percent or more whose units are to be occupied by persons at least sixty (60) years of age, the minimum lot area shall be eight thousand (8,000) square feet for the first two dwelling units, plus one thousand (1,000) square feet for each dwelling unit in excess of the two dwelling units.
B. 
Where a commercial use is mixed with a dwelling use, the minimum lot area shall be as shown in Section 17.20.120 for the district in which the lot is located, plus two thousand (2,000) square feet for each of the first ten (10) dwelling units, plus one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet for each dwelling unit in excess of ten (10) dwelling units.
C. 
Where corner lots have rounded corners with a radius of fifteen (15) feet or more, the area otherwise required shall be reduced by one hundred (100) square feet for each such rounded corner.
D. 
Where a corner lot directly abuts a lot in a residential district along the same side of a street, all of the regulations of such residential district for front yards shall apply to such corner lot along the street whose frontage it shares with such residential district.
E. 
Side lot lines shall be substantially at right angles to straight street lines or radial to curved street lines for their full length from front to rear with the following exception:
Side lot lines may deviate from this requirement in areas where natural constraints such as watercourses, wetlands, etc. or where prudent division practices necessitate special consideration. In all such cases, the burden will be on the owner to justify such deviation in design.
F. 
In Section 17.20.120 the "minimum side yard" requirement for a nonconforming lot (as defined in subsection 17.88.010(B)) having a frontage of less then fifty (50) feet, shall be five feet.
G. 
No railroad refrigerated freight car shall be left standing in operation within one hundred (100) feet of a residential district.
H. 
All uses shall be carried on in such a manner as to produce no offensive noise, dirt, odor, glare, heat or vibration perceptible or measurable outside the appropriate property lines.
I. 
Exterior lighting shall be shielded or reflected so that the light source is not visible from any residential district. Exterior lighting, the source of which would be visible from any public street, shall have its source reflected or refracted so as to direct and distribute the light to minimize glare.
The department of inspections shall maintain a list of exterior lighting fixtures which it will approve as meeting the requirements of this subsection.
J. 
All parking and outdoor storage areas or facilities for fuel, materials, incineration and products shall be enclosed by a wall or fence of solid appearance or tight evergreen hedge not less than five feet high to conceal such areas or facilities from any residential district adjacent or across the street from the principal building or use. No such enclosure shall be required in or adjacent to any front yard or corner side yard.
K. 
Property and buildings to be used for industrial purposes shall be designed and laid out as to minimize disturbance to adjacent property by such features as buffer fences, planting, suitably located points of traffic ingress and egress and areas for loading and parking. They shall comply in addition to the requirements applicable to the district in which they are located. All industrial operations shall be carried on in conformity with the requirements of Section 17.36.010.
L. 
Additional Setbacks on Certain Streets. Additional setbacks shall be required on certain collector and arterial streets in Cranston in anticipation of increased traffic generation and/or projected highway improvements. Minimum front yard setbacks shall be as follows:
Location
Setback
Scituate Avenue (west of Elton Circle)
75 feet
Hope Road
75 feet
Phenix Avenue (west of Rt. 295)
60 feet
Natick Avenue
60 feet
Olney Arnold Road
60 feet
South Comstock Parkway
60 feet
Wildflower Drive
60 feet
Burlingame Road
60 feet
(Prior code § 30-14)
A. 
On a corner lot, nothing shall be erected, placed, planted or allowed to grow in such a manner as to materially impede vision between a height of two and one-half and ten (10) feet above the centerline grades of the intersecting streets in the area bounded by the street lines of such corner lots and a line joining points along such street lines thirty (30) feet from the point of the intersection.
B. 
In the areas within ten (10) feet from the sides of a driveway and from the street line to a line ten (10) feet from the sides of a driveway and from the street line to a line ten (10) feet back from the street line, between a height of three and one-half and ten (10) feet above the centerline grade of the driveway, nothing shall be erected, placed, planted or allowed to grow in such a manner so as to materially impede vision from the front ten (10) feet of the driveway to the sidewalk extending ten (10) feet on either side of the driveway.
(Prior code § 30-15)
A. 
Building Projections. Projections of window sills, belt courses, eaves, cornices and other ornamental features shall be permitted.
B. 
Extension into Front Yard. The space in a required front yard shall be open and unobstructed by structures other than signs except that an unenclosed porch may extend no more than ten (10) feet into the front yard.
C. 
Required Front Yards in Developed Blocks. In a block in which twenty-five (25) percent or more of the frontage within two hundred (200) feet of the lot and on the same side of the street is developed with structures, the required front yard for a structure hereafter erected on that lot shall extend to the average alignment of such existing structures instead of as provided in the succeeding sections of this chapter, except that no residence shall have a front yard depth of less than five feet in depth or need have a front yard of greater depth than forty (40) feet in an A-80 district, thirty (30) feet in an A-20 district or twenty-five (25) feet in any other residential district.
D. 
Principal Front Yards. In any district a lot having frontages on two public ways that do not intersect shall have two front yards each of a depth as provided in this chapter. One such front yard shall be designated the principal front yard.
One yard of a corner lot shall be designated as a principal front yard. In a residential district, the yard adjacent to the street that the front door faces shall be the principal front yard.
(Prior code § 30-16)
District
Minimum Lot Area (sq. ft.)*
Minimum Lot Width and Frontage (ft.)
Minimum Yards (ft.) Front
Minimum Yards (ft.) Rear
Minimum Yards (ft.) Side
Maximum Lot Coverage
Maximum Building Height*
S-1, A-80
80,000
200
40
100
20
10
35
A-20
20,000
125
30
30
15
20
35
A-12
12,000
100
25
20
10
30
35
A-8
8,000
80
25
20
10
30
35
A-6
6,000
60
25
20
8
30
35
B-1 and B-2
(single-family)
6,000
60
25
20
8
35
35
B-1 and B-2
(two-family)
8,000
60
25
20
8
35
35
B-2
(multi-family)
See formula in § 17.20.090
See formula in § 17.20.090
25
20
8
50
35
C-1
6,000
60
25
20
8
60
35
C-2
6,000
60
25
20
8
60
30
C-3
6,000
60
0
20
0
100
35
C-4
12,000
120
40
20
8
50
35
C-5
10,000
80
30
20
8
60
35
M-1
30,000
150
40
30
20
60
35
M-2
60,000
200
40
30
25
60
35
EI**
10,000
0
0
20***
20***
100%***
35****
Notes:
* Subject to performance standards described in Section 17.24.010.
** Subject to requirements of Chapter 17.106 and major land development approval.
*** Zero feet if adjacent yard is also in an EI, M-1 or M-2 district. Maximum lot coverage is also subject to required yards.
**** Seventy-five (75) feet if the adjacent lot is also in an EI, M-1 or M-2 district, or if the minimum yard setback from any other (non EI, M-1 or M-2) zoning district is increased 1.5 feet for every one foot in height over thirty-five (35) feet.
(Prior code § 30-17; Ord. 04-51 § 7 Exh. B; Ord. 2026-2, 1/20/2026)
The building official is empowered to hear and grant modifications. Submission requirements for applications for such modifications shall be in accordance with Section 17.20.120 provided that references to the zoning board shall refer to the building official.
A. 
A modification may be requested for adjustments or deviations not exceeding 25% of any of the dimensional requirements specified herein.
B. 
A modification of 5% or less shall be permitted by the building official, subject to the criteria of subsection E of this section, without requiring any notice as detailed in subsection C of this section.
C. 
Prior to ruling on a modification of more than 5% and less than 25 of any dimensional or quantitative requirements of this chapter, the building official shall give notice in the same manner as would be given for a variance application, pursuant to the Section 17.108.070 requirements, by first class mail, to all property owners within a 400-foot radius and publish in a newspaper having local circulation in the city of Cranston that he or she is considering such modification, the location of property in question, the nature of the proposed modification, a statement that such modification may be granted by the building official if no objection by anyone who is entitled to notice under this section is received within 14 days, and an invitation to allow any member of the public to inspect plot plans and application forms during normal working hours at the city hall.
D. 
If one or more written and duly signed objections are received by the building official within 14 days of the date of such public notice, the modification shall forthwith be filed with the zoning board of review if the applicant so desires, as a request for a dimensional variance in accordance with the provisions of Sections 17.108.070 and 17.108.080 and the building official shall have no further role in deciding the case.
E. 
If there are no objections within the specified time period as provided in subsection C above, the building official shall render a decision no later than 14 days after the date of the public notice. The following determination shall be made by the building official.
1. 
The modification requested is s minimal to a reasonable enjoyment of the permitted use to which the property is supposed to be devoted;
2. 
If the modification is granted, neighboring property will neither be substantially injured nor its appropriate use substantially impaired;
3. 
The modification requested is in harmony with the purposes and intent of the comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance of the city; and
4. 
The modification requested does not require a variance of a flood hazard requirement.
F. 
If the petitioner is aggrieved by a decision of the building official said petitioner may file an application for dimensional variance to the zoning board or review in accordance with Section 17.108.080.
(Ord. 03-59 § 1; Ord. 2023-27, § 1, 12/19/2023; Ord. 2026-2, 1/20/2026)