Inspection Division

Questions regarding inspections and permits should be directed to William Hanley at 845-5463 or WHanley@cityofnewport.com

The Rhode Island Landlord-Tenant Handbook

For important information about Landlord-Tenant relations, please click here for The Rhode Island Landlord-Tenant Handbook.

"Make Your House Lead Safe"

In this Fact Sheet, you will receive important information on the effects of lead poisoning and abatement procedures. This brochure was prepare by Rhode Island Housing and is entitled, "Make Your House Lead Safe." For more information on the Lead Hazard Mitigation Law and its impact to Landlords and Tenants please call the Housing Resources Commission at 1-800-570-0768 or visit their Website: HRC.ri.gov

Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home

For the Rhode Island Version of the Environmental Protection Agency's publication "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home," please click here for important information on lead abatement.

Landlord Lead Disclosure

Please click here for a lessor disclosure form for tenants.

Housing Inspections

Building Permits

Thinking about getting some work done around your house? Then a trip to the Inspection Division may be in order. Contractors aren't the only ones who need to know how the inspection process works. Let's begin with an explanation of the types of permits and then we can answer the most frequently asked question, When is a permit required?

There are four types of permits:

• Building - This covers the structural parts like the roof, walls, floors, insulation, foundation, windows and exterior covering;
• Electrical - This covers the wiring for interior and exterior lighting and fixtures, telephone, smoke detectors and fire alarms;
• Plumbing - This covers the piping system inside the house which delivers water to fixtures like sinks, tubs, showers, washing machines and toilets. It also covers the drain piping which carries waste water away from these same fixtures;
• Mechanical - This covers the systems which provide heating, air conditioning and ventilation throughout the house.

Large scale projects like new house construction, putting on an addition or renovating an entire house is best left to a building contractor. Building or General Contractors must be registered with the State of Rhode Island Contractor Registration Board. Each contractors firm receives a registration number on an identification card.

Most contractors display this number on their trucks, in their advertising and on their stationery. Contractors need permits for much of the work that they do. The Inspection Division gives each permit holder a receipt copy that should be available on the job site.

A homeowner can do work on his or her own property as well, but there are restrictions. First, the work must meet the same standards of the Rhode Island State Building Code that contractors have to meet. And second, the homeowner must do the work by himself or herself. While there is no such thing as a homeowners permit, (its the same permit that a contractor gets), homeowners must take an additional step to get a permit.

They must sign and have notarized a form called a homeowners affidavit stating that they are aware of the laws governing their right to do their own work on their home. All of this leads back to the question, When is a permit required? Here are some general guidelines to help determine this.

A building permit is required when you are planning work which could have an impact on the structural soundness of your house, such as:

• Replacing roof covering
• Installing any new window/door or replacing a window/door
• Installing or replacing wallboard or plaster
• Installing floor joists and floor sheathing
• Moving walls, installing new walls, skylights
• Installing or replacing the exterior covering like shingles, clapboard or vinyl siding
• Installing or replacing decks and garages
• Converting a basement or attic area from a storage area into habitable space

For electrical, plumbing or mechanical permits, its easier to explain when they are not required. In general, if you need to make changes to your wiring or piping to accomplish the task, then a permit is required.

The knowledge and experience needed to meet the state code for this type of work often requires hiring a licensed contractor. Licensing, not registration, is required for all electrical, plumbing and mechanical contractors. They carry picture identification with their license number. They too must get permits and will have a receipt copy from the Inspection Division.

Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical permits are NOT required when

• Replacing a toilet fixture in the same spot. If you want the fixture moved, even a short distance, a permit is required.
• Replacing a switch or receptacle in the same spot. To move one requires a permit.
• Replacing an existing lighting fixture or ceiling fan in the same spot. To move one requires a permit.
• Clearing a blockage in your drain.
• Using portable mechanical or electrical appliances like space heaters, air conditioner window units, dehumidifiers and humidifiers.
• Replacing minor parts such as filters in mechanical equipment.

Another matter to consider is the fee or cost of these permits. The costs vary from city to city. Each city sets its own fees. The fee is based upon the cost of the work to be done including labor and materials.

In addition to the basic fee there are two other charges. One charge is a State fee that contributes to the costs of implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Every permit must have the ADA fees added. The other charge is a State fee for radon. The radon fee is only charged on building permits for new houses.

There you have it. Getting a permit assures that a qualified and independent third party (an Inspector) is checking the work you or your contractor is doing.