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Building and Zoning

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1. Frequently Requested Zoning Ordinances

Setbacks - Dimensional Regulations Table (PDF)

 Zoning Use Table - 185-8

Swimming Pool Requirements - 185-15

Fences - 185-20

At any point, use the "search" feature at the top of the E-Code webpage to look up a specific topic. 

2. When do I need a permit?

With the exception of paint, wallcoverings, flooring, and fencing, most projects require a permit. Please check with the Building Official  to confirm before beginning your project.

3. Who can pull a permit?

Homeowners can do work on their own house and pull their own permit. The homeowner must sign an affidavit to take responsibility for work to be performed, including inspections. For contractors, they must be licensed in Rhode Island.

4. How do I find the setback information for my property?

1) Visit the Barrington GIS website.

2) Using the search bar in the top right corner to type in the address.

3) Once the map loads, click on "Layers" on the left-hand side of the screen. 

4) Check "Zoning" on the Layers list, and that will tell you what zone the property is in.

5) Use the dimensional regulations table (PDF) to determine the setbacks. 

5. How do I know if my property is in a flood zone?

1) Visit the Barrington GIS website.

2) Using the search bar in the top right corner to type in the address.

3) Once the map loads, click on "Layers" on the left-hand side of the screen. 

4) Check "Flood Zones Revised" on the Layers list, and you will see a blue layer appear if your property is in a flood zone (will begin with either an "AE" or "VE").

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Department of Public Works

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1. Does the Town pick up appliances?

Appliances and any scrap metal are picked up one week per month as a special collection.  Metal is recycled separately.  Call DPW to leave address for pick up.

2. Does the Town pick up fencing and construction materials?

No, construction materials and fencing need to be disposed of privately.  Residents may want to rent a small dumpster or take to RI Central Landfill. Please either call or visit their website for more information. 

3. Does the Town pick up furniture?

Most furniture that is not metal may go with regular trash.  Please limit to one piece per week.

4. Does the Town pick up electronics?

No, electronics including televisions and computer equipment must be brought to the Recycling Center.  

5. Does the Town pick up mattresses and box springs?

No, mattresses and box springs must be brought to a mattress collection container at DPW between 8 AM and 3 PM Monday through Friday.

6. Is there a charge for special pickups?

There are no extra charges for any special pickups, such as metal, etc.

7. Is the Recycling Center available to non-Barrington residents?

The Recycling Center is only for use by Barrington residents.

8. Why did my branches not get picked up with yard waste?

Yard waste collection is limited to grass, weeds, small twigs that will easily compost in brown bags or barrels.   Branches need to be chipped – the brush chipping program is limited to Spring and Fall and is a called in service.   Specific dates are available on the Town Calendar or website.

9. How do I get a recycling bin and does the Town provide trash cans?

The standard 22-gallon recycling bins are available at the DPW office.  One recycling bin per residence is provided.   

The Town does not provide trash barrels.   Any barrel used for recycling or trash must be 32 gallons or less and weigh less than 50 pounds per ordinance.

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Elections - Redistricting

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1. How can I find my voting district and polling place?

You can use the RI Secretary of State’s Voter Information Center website to look up your address to see your current voting districts and polling place. The database has been updated to reflect the new voting districts created based on the 2020 census and the 2022 redistricting process.

Also at the Rhode Island Secretary of State's website, you can check your voting record to review your current registration status and party affiliation. In addition, a map with street index is available at the Barrington Board of Canvassers Election Information web page that shows the new boundaries for the legislative districts and voting precincts in Barrington.

And in August 2022, the Barrington Board of Canvassers is sending postcards to all Barrington registered voters, informing voters of their new legislative districts, precinct, and polling place. Please contact the Barrington Town Clerk’s office if you have any questions about voter registration, elections, or polling locations.

2. What is redistricting?

Redistricting is the process of redrawing electoral boundaries. It occurs for all levels of representative government, including the US House of Representatives, state legislatures, local voting  districts (precincts), and more. These boundaries define the constituency that will be represented in government and the district in which a candidate for office runs.

The US Constitution requires a census of the population and a reapportionment of congressional representatives every ten years. After each new census, states and local governments redraw voting districts to account for changes in population and geography that have occurred over the preceding decade. The 2020 census counted just over one million residents in Rhode Island and 17,153 residents in Barrington.

3. Who determined the new voting districts?

Based on the 2020 census figures, the Rhode Island General Assembly established the boundaries for the state’s two congressional districts, the 38 state Senate districts, and the 75 state Representative districts. The new district boundaries were signed into law by the Governor on February 16, 2022.

Once the state legislative districts were established, the local Boards of Canvassers across Rhode Island were responsible for drawing the boundaries for the new voting districts (precincts) for the polling places within each city or town.

4. How many legislative districts are there in Barrington?

All of Barrington sits within the First Congressional District for the US House of Representatives.

There is one RI state Senate district (#32) that covers all of Barrington as well as parts of East Providence and Bristol.

Barrington is split across two RI state House districts: one (#66) covers parts of Barrington and East Providence while the other (#67) covers parts of Barrington and Warren.

5. How many voting precincts (polling places) are there in Barrington for 2022?

Six voting precincts were established in Barrington for the 2022 redistricting cycle. This is one more than there was during the 2012 to 2021 cycle. RI law limits each voting precinct to no more than 3,000 registered voters. Due to changes to Barrington’s population over the past ten years, the Town added one precinct. Further, the General Assembly made slight revisions to the boundaries for the RI House legislative districts that cover Barrington (#66 and #67), and the Town’s precincts must conform within the newly drawn legislative districts. As a result, some Barrington voters will experience changes to their legislative district and/or their polling place.

The locations of the polling places for the new voting precincts are:

District #66:

• Barrington High School -- Precinct #101
• Barrington Middle School -- Precinct #102
• Nayatt Elementary School -- Precinct #103

District #67:

• Hampton Meadows School -- Precinct #104
• Sowams Elementary School -- Precinct #105
• Barrington Town Hall -- Precinct #106

6. When do the new voting districts take effect?

The new voting districts take effect for the 2022 election cycle. This includes the September 13 primary election and the November 8 general election. The new voting districts will be in effect for the next ten years.

7. How extensive were the changes to the voting districts?

Approximately 6% of all Barrington registered voters (roughly 970 people) were switched from one RI legislative district to a different one. This was the result of passage of the new legislative district boundaries by the General Assembly. Some voters who previously were in RI House District #66 will now be in RI House District #67, or vice versa. These voters will now be voting at a new polling place.

Approximately 31% of all Barrington registered voters (roughly 4,600 people) were moved from one precinct to a different one. This was mainly driven by the creation of a new sixth precinct in Barrington (part of RI House District #67).

Approximately 69% of all Barrington registered voters have precincts and polling places that are unchanged; these voters continue to reside in the same legislative district and will vote at the same polling place that they did prior to 2022.

Because of all the changes that resulted from the 2022 redistricting process, it is extremely important that all voters check to verify their polling location before setting out to vote during the 2022 primary or general elections. You can look up your voter status and polling place on the Secretary of State's website.

8. Why are schools used as polling places?

Rhode Island law (RIGL 17-18-15) requires that all public elementary and secondary schools throughout the state shall not be in session on election day (for statewide primary and general elections). Thus, schools become excellent possible locations for polling places since they often already conform to many of the federal and state standards and regulations that apply to polling places (e.g., ADA accessibility, parking accommodations, etc.). Further, if any repairs or changes to the properties are needed in order to conform to election regulations (e.g., filling a cracked sidewalk or installing an ADA-compliant door handle), the Town is in a position to control and act quickly to remedy the situation. This could be problematic if the Town were relying on private property owners to incur the costs of these repairs. Moreover, any funds the Town might spend on the modest building changes or repairs only further enhance or improve the property overall, maximizing the benefit to the Town of the expenditure. Finally, the number of school buildings in Barrington and their geographic locations across Town are distributed in a way that aligns well with voting district boundaries.

9. Where can I find more information about redistricting or elections in Rhode Island?

• Barrington Board of Canvassers web page on Election Information.
• Barrington voting district map (with street index).
• Official definitions of the 2022 boundaries set by the General Assembly (Senate Bill 2162 Sub. A as amended), signed by the Governor on February 16, 2022.
• Rhode Island General Laws, Title 17, Elections
• Please contact the Barrington Town Clerk’s office if you have any questions about voter registration, elections, or polling locations.

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Elections - Special

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1. Why is there a special Election at this time?

Congressman David Cicilline resigned effective June 1, 2023. His resignation created a vacancy in Rhode Island’s representation to the U.S. House of Representatives for Congressional District 1. On June 1, Governor Daniel McKee ordered all cities and towns within Rhode Island’s Congressional District 1 to hold a Special Election on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, to fill the vacancy, and to hold a primary election on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, for nominating candidates to fill the vacancy. This will be the first Congressional Special Election in Rhode Island since 1967. The winner of the November 7 Special Election will hold office until the 2024 congressional election cycle.

2. What areas of Rhode Island are covered by Congressional District 1?

Rhode Island’s Congressional District 1 consists of 19 cities and towns, including Barrington. Here is a map of the congressional district area.

3. Where do I vote for the Special Election?

On Election Day, Barrington’s six voting precincts will be combined into three polling places for the 2023 Primary and Special Elections. Based on the anticipated turnout for the Special Election as well as the multiple ways voters can now vote (e.g., mail ballot, early onsite voting, etc.), the Town is confident that the three combined polling places will efficiently accommodate Election Day voter traffic. Combining the locations will reduce the Town’s expenses to conduct the elections (e.g., fewer places to staff and operate).

Polling locations for the 2023 Primary and Special Elections will be:

• Barrington High School (BHS) - Polling location for Precincts 101 & 106 - If you usually vote at BHS or Town Hall, your polling place will be Barrington High School for the Primary and Special Elections.
• Barrington Middle School (BMS) - Polling location for Precincts 102 & 103 - If you usually vote at BMS or Nayatt School, your polling place will be Barrington Middle School for the Primary and Special Elections.
• Hampden Meadows School (HMS) - Polling location for Precincts 104 & 105 - If you usually vote at HMS or Sowams School, your polling place will be Hampden Meadows School for the Primary and Special Elections.

Please note that Nayatt School, Sowams School, and the Town Hall will not be used as polling places for the 2023 Primary and Special Elections. Barrington voters who usually vote at these locations will instead vote at the combined polling  locations described above.

See the map of Barrington’s precincts and voting districts.

4. Will there be early voting for the Primary and Special Elections?

Yes, early onsite voting will be available for both the Primary and Special Elections. Early voting takes place at Barrington Town Hall (Council Chamber, 2nd floor) during regular business hours. For the Primary, early voting will be offered from Wednesday, August 16 through Tuesday, September 5 (on September 5, early voting closes at 4:00 PM). For the Special Election,  early voting will be offered from Wednesday, October 18 thru Monday, November 6 (on November 6, early voting closes at 4:00 PM).

5. Can I vote by mail for the Primary and Special Elections?

Yes, any otherwise qualified Rhode Island voter may choose to vote by mail for the Primary and Special Elections. For the Primary, the deadline to request a mail ballot is Tuesday, August 15. For the Special Election, the deadline to request a mail ballot is Tuesday, October 17. Mail ballot applications are available from the Town Clerk’s office or  here. Additional information about mail/absentee ballots is available here.

6. Who can vote in the Primary Election on September 5?

Rhode Island has a “semi-closed” party primary system. This means that you may only vote in your party's primary, but if you are registered as "unaffiliated" you may vote in the primary of any party you choose. Once you vote in a primary, however, you are considered a member of that party until and unless you "disaffiliate." 

You can check your current voter status and party affiliation at the Secretary of State’s Voter Information Center website. There, you can also edit your voter record to change your party affiliation if you desire. Disaffiliation from any party must take place at least 29 days before the primary date (i.e., by Monday, August 7 in order to take effect for the September 5 Primary Election). 

7. When is the deadline to register to vote in the Primary and Special Elections?

State law requires that eligible voters be registered no later than 30 days prior to any elections. So for the September 5 Primary Election, the deadline to register to vote is Sunday, August 6, 2023. For the November 7 Special Election, the deadline to register to vote is Sunday, October 8, 2023.

8. If I am interested in working as a poll worker for the Primary and Special Elections (and/or other future elections), how do I learn more about this?

Barrington (and other towns) are always looking for registered voters who might be interested in working as a poll worker during elections. General information about being a poll worker is available here. Being a poll worker is a great way to help your community directly and contribute to the smooth, fair, and efficient conducting of local elections. Poll workers are paid for their time on Election Day as well as their training time leading up to Election Day. Poll workers typically can work either half-day (7.5 hours) or full-day (15 hours) shifts. The poll worker application is available here. For more information about being a poll worker, please contact the Barrington Town Clerk’s office at 401-247-1900, ext. 1.

9. Where can I go for more information?

Additional information on elections in Rhode Island can be found at:

• R.I Board of Elections website
• R.I. Secretary of State’s Election Information website
• Barrington Board of Canvassers’ Election Information website
• Barrington Town Clerk, 401-247-1900, ext. 1

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Fire Department

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1. What types of outdoor burning are allowed?

Information on Town ordinances and regulations can be read in Chapter 78 Section 2 of the Town Code. 

2. How do I schedule a smoke detector inspection when I sell my house?

Smoke detector inspections are conducted by Fire Department personnel on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. To arrange for an inspection call Fire Headquarters.

3. Does the fire department pump flood basements?

Yes. The fire department will respond to a residence and make a determination if there is sufficient water to be pumped. In most cases, fire pumps are NOT effective with water levels below 1 inch deep. For a water emergency dial 911. 

4. Why does the fire engine sometimes respond with the rescue truck?

A fire engine responds with the rescue on all Emergency Medical Services (EMS) calls that are of an unknown nature or may require advanced life support or additional manpower. The firefighters assigned to the fire engine are trained to the same Cardiac EMT level as the members assigned to the rescue. Therefore, the engine crew can assist the members of rescue by obtaining EKG's, starting IV's, securing patient airways, performing CPR, and administering medications. In extreme medical emergencies an engine company member will serve as a driver for the rescue. This allows both EMT's assigned to the rescue the ability to care for the patient while enroute to the hospital. 

5. Will the fire department come to my school to talk about fire safety?

National Fire Prevention week is October 10th through 14th. The fire department visits local schools to discuss fire safety with students. 

To schedule a visit call the Fire Department.

6. What hospitals does the Barrington Rescue transport to?

Barrington Rescue transports patients to Rhode Island Hospital, Miriam, Roger Williams, Hasbro Children’s, and Women and Infants. 

7. Where do I install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors?

The current fire code, as set by the Rhode Island Division of State Fire Marshal, requires smoke detectors to be placed as follows:

 Structures built prior to June 30, 1976 through February 3, 2004 

Smoke detectors should be placed at the highest habitable level and every level below, outside the bedrooms, and at the bottom of the basement stairs. All should be ceiling mounted.

Structures built after February 3, 2004

Smoke detectors should have the same placement as above, except smoke detectors in all bedrooms. 

8. How do I become a firefighter in the Town of Barrington?

The Town announces employment opportunities in local newspaper and on the Town website. Please visit the Employment Opportunities page for updates. 

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Home - FAQs

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1. How do I pay my city water bill?

Answer goes here...

2. How do I get a new trash can lid?

Answer goes here...

3. How do I apply for a job with the City?

Answer goes here...

4. My trash didn't get picked up, what should I do now?

Answer goes here...

5. How do I get a garage sale permit?

Answer goes here...

6. How can I see the agenda for an upcoming City Council or Board meeting?

Answer goes here...

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Recreation

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1. How do I register for programs, courses, and other events?

Registrations for all events will only be  available online.  No registrations or trip reservations will be accepted by phone.  The steps to do so are as follows:

1. Select the course or trip. 
2. Click on the blue REGISTER button on the event page.  
3. You must provide an email address to start the registration process.  For security purposes, you will be asked to enter a CAPTCHA code to ensure that you are not a robot.
4. Complete the registration form as indicated.
5. Once the form is completed, you will receive an invoice by email.  
6. To pay by check, send a separate check for each invoice made payable to TOWN OF BARRINGTON along with the printed invoice to:

Barrington Learning Center
Barrington Recreation Department
281 County Road, Barrington, RI 02806

To receive assistance with registering and payment by check, stop by the Recreation Department between 9 AM and 4 PM Monday through Thursday and between 9 AM and noon on Friday.

2. Do you have a senior citizen discount?

Yes. Persons 60 years or older may select the Senior Citizen rate for certain courses. Not all courses will have such a discount.

3. What is your refund policy?

Note:  All Barrington Learning Center class and trip payments include a non-refundable processing fee as follows:

•  All refunds initiated by BLC due to cancelled classes/trips include a $5.00 non-refundable processing fee.
•   No refunds will be given for cancellations initiated by the purchaser within 4 business days of the start of the class/trip.
•  All refunds initiated by the purchaser will include a processing fee according to the chart below:

        $20 - $150 payment $20.00 Non-refundable processing fee

        $151 - $225 payment $30.00 Non-refundable processing fee

        $226 - $335 payment $40.00 Non-refundable processing fee

        $336 - payment 15% of payment

Courses:  Full refunds are given minus the processing fee according to the chart above if the Barrington Learning Center cancels the course and and you paid online with a credit card.  Your refund will show up on your credit card statement.  If you paid by check, you will receive a full credit for the course , which can be applied to other courses/trips.  This credit will show up on the website on your Profile Page.   You may request a refund, if you prefer.  In order for us to process a check request, you must provide a copy of the front and back of the cashed check.  We will deduct the processing fee according to the chart above.

Trips:  Full refunds are given  minus the processing fee according to the chart above if the Barrington Learning Center cancels the trip and you paid online with a credit card.  Your refund will show up on your credit card statement.  If you paid by check, you will receive a full credit for the trip which can be applied to other courses/trips.  This credit will show up on the website on your Profile Page.   You may request a refund, if you prefer.  In order for us to process a check request, you must provide a copy of the front and back of the cashed check.  We will deduct the processing fee according to the chart above. 

If you cancel a trip more than 30 days  before the trip or prior to the purchase of tickets or room reservations (whichever is earliest), you will be refunded through paypal directly to your credit card if you paid with a credit card or receive a credit if you paid with a check, minus a $35 per registration non-refundable processing fee.  If you cancel within 30 days or after tickets are purchased or rooms are booked,  no refunds or credits are given.

4. What is your refund process?

Paid online:  your payment will be refunded according to our refund policy directly to the card you used via Paypal.  

Paid by check:  If you paid by check, you will receive a credit according to our refund policy for the amount.   Should you prefer a check refund, please see the refund policy information for details.

5. I am interested in a trip. What can you tell me?

Barrington Learning Center trips are open to all adults, regardless of residence, and children who are accompanied by a parent or designated caretaker. Deluxe lavatory equipped motor coaches are used for all trips unless otherwise noted. All trips depart from the parking lot behind Barrington Town Hall. Also available: Providence pickups for Boston, the Berkshires and other points north; Warwick pickups for all New York and some Connecticut trips – see specific trip destinations for details.

To register for trips, follow the steps above to register for courses/trips. 

Driver tips are included in all trip fees. Trip fees also include the costs of planning, promotion and operation of the programs described. 

Departure and pick-up information is shown on the trip description page.

Many day trips and overnight trips involve a fair degree of walking and/or standing during guided tours.  If you have any concerns about your ability to participate in a day trip or a tour, please call the Barrington Learning Center to discuss before registering.  It is our goal that participants fully enjoy their trip experience, that they assess their capabilities honestly, and that any mobility issues do not affect the total experience, both for the individual and other group members.

6. How do you communicate and send out information about trips and courses?

We will make every attempt to reach out to registrants regarding changes in programming, pickup, venue, etc.

All communication takes place via email. We do not send paper notices or confirmation letters.  If you do not provide us with an email address (could be a friend's who will keep you abreast of changes at Barrington Learning Center), it will become your responsibility to contact us regarding courses and trips.

Occasionally, we need to alter departure times to deal with unanticipated schedule changes.  To avoid missing the motor coach, ALWAYS check your emails for Barrington Learning Center communications and follow those instructions, which may differ from those printed in the website description of the trip.  

Seating Assignments: for ticketed events, such as shows and performances, seats will be assigned in the order registrations are received and deposit paid as long as the final payment is made on time.  For those requesting "Seat-with", assignments will be be made in consideration of "last companion" received.   

7. Providence and Warwick pickups?

All trips depart from the parking lot behind Barrington Town Hall. 

Providence Pickups

• Providence pickupsfor the Berkshires (Tanglewood, Stockbridge, Williamstown, et al), Worcester and other points up on Route 146: the Providence pickup is the Stop & Shop parking lot:  Branch Avenue exit (#24) off I-95.  Turn left at the end of the exit and proceed to the Stop & Shop parking lot where you will be picked up on the left side of the lot.
• Providence pickups for destinations towards Boston, Salem, and northern New England, will be at the Shaw's Plaza (Chili's location) off North Main Street:  Take the bus terminal exit, #25 on I-95; proceed to North Main, turn left at Ann Mary Street, the first traffic light at Cox Communications building, go down the hill to the next light and turn right onto Collyer.  At the bottom of that hill, turn left into the large parking lot.

Warwick Pickups

Warwick Pickups for destinations south and to Connecticut are at the Park & Ride lot on Airport Road.

8. What if I do not have email?

For those participants who do not have email, we recommend that you become a "buddy" with someone who does as, increasingly, much of our information is being communicated by email. 

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Tax Assessor

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1. What are the current Tax Rates?

• Residential: $20.30 per thousand dollars of valuation
• Commercial: $20.30 per thousand dollars of valuation
• Personal Property: $20.30 per thousand dollars of valuation

2. What exactly is a “Revaluation”?

A revaluation is the process of estimating new values on real estate based on specific rules and current market data. This process requires a careful analysis of recent selling prices conducted to identify and quantify the features that have motivated buyers and sellers in the real estate market. This analysis results in the creation of schedules that are used to value all of the properties in the city or town. These schedules are then statistically tested to verify their ability to accurately and uniformly predict estimates of current fair market value. An analysis of current income and expenses supplied by local commercial property owners is utilized in the commercial valuation process. These value estimates are statistically tested and proven.

3. Why are the “Revaluations” performed?

Since all assessed valuations are based on sales as of a certain date, later changes in the market will gradually make property assessments out of step with the real estate marketplace. The rise and fall of real estate values make certain properties more valuable or less valuable, in relation to each other. Doing a revaluation periodically brings the assessments into line quicker, and provides a correction to assessments when markets rise or lower. It makes the assessment of property taxes fairer, more accurate, and avoids the “sticker shock” that occurred when these projects were performed every 10 years or so.

4. Where do you get the values?

Sales of properties. We review and analyze recent property sales. Depending on the volume, we may use one, two, or even three years of data. From these sales, we generate valuation tables and apply them throughout the City or Town. We focus primarily on “Fair Market” sales.

5. What is “Fair Market Value”?

The American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers defines fair market value as “the most probable price for which a property will sell in a competitive market with buyer and seller each acting prudently, knowledgeably and for self-interest and assuming that neither is under undue duress”. Sales such as foreclosure and family sales are not considered to be “arms-length” or fair market transactions.

6. How are properties priced?

They are carefully analyzed based on:

• Land sales
• Building costs
• Condominium sales
• Business Income and Expense statements
• Sales of land with buildings

The following are some, but not all of the variables that affect value:

• Location
• Desirability of the neighborhood
• External influences
• Traffic, schools, waterfront view
• Buildings (amount, size, quality of construction, condition, and amenities

7. What about Land values?

Land values can vary dramatically based on:

• Location
• Conformance to zoning
• Waterfront, View
• External or internal factors

8. I recently purchased my property for a price which is different than the value estimated for this “Revaluation.” How is this possible?

The real estate market is not a “perfect market” and price is not always equal to value. Similar properties usually do not sell for exactly the same price because the motivations of buyers and sellers are not always the same. Similar properties usually tend to sell within a “value range” rather than for one specific price. According to the definition of fair market value, your value represents the “the most probable selling price” and tends to be in the middle of the range of what similar properties have recently sold for. Therefore, your appraised value could be higher or lower than what you actually paid for your property.

9. How much will my taxes be following this “Revaluation”?

The amount of your new tax bill is calculated by multiplying your new assessed value by the new tax or mill rate. Be careful not to multiply a new assessment by an old tax or mill rate.

10. Will taxes go up?

Not from the revaluation. The tax rate is set at the financial town meeting, or by a City budgetary process, so the voters decide if taxes go up. Individually – If the budget stays the same, some property owners will go up, some will go down, some will stay just about the same.

11. How are tax rates set?

The Municipality determines the amount of revenue (R) to be raised. The Municipality then totals all the assessments (A). The Municipality divides the revenue (R) by the Assessments (A) to get the actual tax rate: Tax Rate = R/A (or mill rate).

12. How will I find out my new value?

At the end of a revaluation project, a notice will be sent to every property owner advising them of their new value.

13. Suppose I disagree with my value?

Some communities hold “informal hearings,” and some communities have an “abatement” procedure. Your new assessment notice will have information regarding these procedures.

14. If there are informal hearings, what should I bring to the hearing?

Any documents or evidence that support your claim. This includes: 

• Recent real estate appraisals
• Any documents regarding easements, wetlands, etc. 
• Photographs or documents that relate to structural or other problems (please bring in copies, we cannot return originals)

15. Then what happens?

Those who attend a hearing will receive a notice indicating whether their assessment has been changed, and, if so, what the new value is.

16. Suppose I still disagree?

At this point, you still have the traditional remedies available to any taxpayer: 

• Apply to the Town or City for an abatement
• Appeal to the tax courts

17. How can I tell if my value is correct?

Compare your value to similar properties in your area which have sold. Compare to recent appraisals you have had on your property for mortgages or refinancing. Note that prices have been on an upward trend, so an appraisal greater than 2 years old needs to be adjusted.

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Tax Collection

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1. When will I receive my tax bill?

Taxes for Real Estate (includes Sewer Use Fees), Motor Vehicles, and Personal Property are billed annually, and the tax bills are mailed by mid-July.

2. I didn't receive a tax bill. Why not?

The most common reasons a tax bill is not received are the following:

• The Town does not have a current/correct mailing address on file. (Update a mailing address)
• If the bill you did not receive was the Motor Vehicle bill, the reason could be due to the State of Rhode Island's Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Phase-Out legislation.

Note: Please contact the Tax Collector's office if you did not receive a tax bill. Failure to receive a tax bill does not exempt the taxpayer from paying what is due (see RIGL § 44-7-7).

3. Why am I being taxed for a vehicle I no longer own?

The two most common reasons are the following:

• Motor Vehicle tax bills are billed in arrears. Tax bills are based on Rhode Island (RI) Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) records of vehicles registered for the period of the prior calendar year. Therefore, tax bills may not reflect the vehicles you currently own. Your tax bill will reflect the information provided by the RI DMV with the following information:
  • Plate Number
  • Number of Days
  • Date Range
  • Year
  • Make
  • Model
  • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
  • Net Valuation
  • Tax Adjusted
  • Tax Due
• You did not cancel the registration after you sold, donated, disposed of, or traded in your vehicle. Motor Vehicle tax bills are assessed on vehicles that were registered according to RI DMV records. If you did not cancel the registration with the RI DMV, the Town does not know that you no longer own the vehicle.

4. How do I remove a vehicle from the tax roll?

To remove a vehicle from the tax roll, you must cancel the registration (turn in the license plates) at the Rhode Island (RI) Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or at any American Automobile Association (AAA) office (if you are a member). You should receive a cancellation receipt, which you should retain in your records, as proof of the cancellation. After you have cancelled the registration, the Town will be notified by the RI DMV in its annual reporting file.

5. I'm a new owner on a property. Will I automatically get the current tax bill?

No. However, you may request a copy of the current tax bill by contacting the Tax Collector's office at 401-247-1900, ext. 318).

6. How do I get a record of the tax payments I have made to the Town?

You can access tax payment information online if you have an original tax bill (current or prior year). Using the account number and PIN (six letters) printed on your original tax bill, you will be able to log in to your account to get a record of your tax payments.

Note: Each account has its own unique PIN. If you have more than one account, you need an original bill with the account number and PIN combination for each of your accounts.

7. What are the tax payment due dates?

The due dates for the current tax bill are:

09/30/2022

12/30/2022

03/30/2023

06/30/2023