Explore zoning districts, official map resources, and recent rezoning activity in Providence, RI. ZoneWire monitors council meetings to track every zoning change.
Live records updated through July 30, 2026
Updated with meetings through July 30, 2026.
Zoning classifications used in this jurisdiction, from the adopted local code.
Single-family residential district for the lowest-density residential areas.
Single-family residential district.
Residential district accommodating single- and two-family dwellings.
Medium-density residential district.
Higher-density multi-family residential district.
Residential district that also allows limited professional office uses.
Small-scale neighborhood commercial and mixed-use district.
General commercial district for a broader range of retail and service uses.
Commercial district for more intensive, auto-oriented and heavy commercial uses.
Downtown district with dimensional and design regulations for the city center.
Institutional district for hospitals and health care campuses.
Institutional district for colleges, universities and educational campuses.
Mixed-use industrial district blending light industrial with commercial and residential uses.
Light industrial district for manufacturing, warehousing and similar uses.
General industrial district for more intensive industrial uses.
Waterfront district allowing a mix of uses along the water.
Waterfront district reserved for port and maritime industrial uses.
Preserves open space, conservation areas and outdoor recreation lands.
Preserves open space areas and public spaces.
Protects City-owned conservation areas and open spaces.
These parcels came up for a zoning decision in Providence in the last 30 days, often before they hit the market. See what changed, how the vote went, and hear the moment it happened. According to ZoneWire's analysis of official public meeting records, each decision below links to its timestamped source.
Providence · Jul 28, 2026
Approved · Unanimous1331 Eddy Street
Zoning change from R-3 to RP, approved unanimously on Jul 28, 2026 in Providence.
Your move: Entitlement cleared. The parcel just got more buildable.
Applicant
Unlock who filed this with ProIn Providence, 71% of land-use board decisions were approved over the last 24 months. Commercial / office / retail clear 20%, Multifamily / attached housing 80%. ZoneWire analyzed 25 land-use board decisions in Providence over the last 24 months. Here are the most active project types and how often each one clears.
| Project type | Decisions | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial / office / retail | 5 | 20% |
| Multifamily / attached housing | 5 | 80% |
The official Providence zoning map is maintained by the local planning department. You can access the interactive GIS map at https://www.providenceri.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/26.03.11-Official-Zoning-Maps.pdf. ZoneWire also tracks rezoning activity discussed in council meetings.
Zoning districts in Providence include R-1A (R-1A Residential District), R-1 (R-1 Residential District), R-2 (R-2 Residential District), R-3 (R-3 Residential District), R-4 (R-4 Residential District), RP (RP Residential Professional District), C-1 (C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District), C-2 (C-2 General Commercial District). Each district has specific permitted uses, setbacks, and density requirements set by the local code.
ZoneWire reads every council meeting in Providence to detect rezoning discussions, variances, and zoning amendments. Start a free trial to receive alerts when rezoning activity is detected.
The Providence Zoning Board of Review decides applications for variances and special use permits; its office is at 444 Westminster Street, 1st Floor. The City Plan Commission (CPC) handles land development projects and subdivisions, and the City Council adopts and amends the Zoning Ordinance text and Zoning Map. The Department of Planning and Development administers zoning from 444 Westminster Street (401.680.8400).
The Providence Zoning Ordinance sets out districts by category: residential (R-1A, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, and RP Residential Professional), commercial (C-1 Neighborhood, C-2 General, C-3 Heavy), the D-1 Downtown District, institutional (I-1 Healthcare, I-2 Educational), industrial (M-MU Mixed-Use Industrial, M-1 Light, M-2 General), waterfront (W-2 Mixed-Use, W-3 Port/Maritime Industrial), and open/public space (OS, PS, and CD Conservation). Special purpose and overlay districts include Capital Center (CC), Downcity (DD), the East Side I-195 (ES), Historic District (HD), and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) overlays.
Providence's current Zoning Ordinance was adopted in November 2014 and became effective on December 24, 2014. It is codified as Chapter 27 of the Code of Ordinances and is organized into 21 Articles covering districts, dimensional and design regulations, uses, parking, landscaping, signs, administration, and enforcement. Article 12 contains the Use Matrix (Table 12-1), which shows whether each use is permitted, special, or prohibited in each district.
Under Rhode Island General Laws Section 45-24-41(c), a variance applicant must demonstrate that the hardship is due to the unique characteristics of the subject land or structure (not general area characteristics or the applicant's disability), that it did not result from the applicant's prior action or a desire for greater financial gain, that granting relief will not alter the general character of the area or impair the ordinance's intent, and that the relief is the least relief necessary. For a use variance, the land cannot yield any beneficial use if made to conform; for a dimensional variance, the hardship must amount to more than a mere inconvenience.
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