GoStudioM - Airbnb & VRBO Hosting Education Platform
CalendarAnalyzerAnalyticsLearnAsk AIPricing
Videos
All VideosBest VideosTrending
NewsRulesTopicsAsk AI
GoStudioM - Airbnb & VRBO Hosting Education Platform

Built for hosts, by a host

Listing Analyzer

  • Get Listing Score
  • Title Generator
  • Review Responder
  • Guest Review Writer
  • All Listing Tools →

Cleaning Calendar

  • Try Calendar Free
  • Superhost Calculator
  • Maintenance Planner
  • All Operations Tools →

Financial Analytics

  • See Your Numbers
  • Fee Calculator
  • Special Offer Calculator
  • All Financial Tools →

Learn

  • Videos
  • News
  • Rules
  • Topics
  • Ask AI →

Compare

  • Best Cleaning Software
  • Turno Alternative
  • Properly Alternative
  • Hospitable Alternative
  • AirDNA Alternative

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • SMS Consent
  • Contact Us

© 2026 GoStudioM. All rights reserved.

Rhode Island Short-Term Rental Regulations by City

Comprehensive short-term rental guides for 8 markets in Rhode Island.

2
🚫 Prohibited
25%
1
⛔ Strict
13%
5
⚠️ Moderate
63%

🚫 Prohibited

2 markets

Newport

Rhode Island

Prohibited

The City of Newport requires all short-term rentals to register annually with the City Clerk and the State of Rhode Island. Non-owner occupied rentals are strictly prohibited in most residential zones (R-10 to R-60) without a special use permit.

Permit required
0.1% total tax

Providence

Rhode Island

Prohibited

Short-term rentals in Providence are strictly limited to primary residences where the owner lives for at least 183 days per year. Hosts must obtain both a State of Rhode Island registration and a City of Providence registration, with a cap of 90 nights per year for unhosted rentals.

Permit requiredNight limitsPrimary residence
0.1% total tax

⛔ Strict

1 market

Warwick

Rhode Island

Strict

Short-term rentals in Warwick are limited to owner-occupied dwelling units in specific residential and village zones and require annual registration with both the city and the state.

Permit requiredPrimary residence
0.1% total tax

⚠️ Moderate

5 markets

Watch Hill (Town of Westerly)

Rhode Island

Moderate

Short-term rentals in Watch Hill are regulated by the Town of Westerly under Chapter 214 of the Municipal Code. All hosts must register with both the State of Rhode Island and the Town, provide proof of liability insurance, and adhere to strict occupancy and parking limits.

Permit required
0.1% total tax

Westerly

Rhode Island

Moderate

The Town of Westerly requires all short-term rental operators to register both with the state of Rhode Island and the local Town Clerk's office. Rentals are limited to 30 days or fewer and must comply with specific occupancy limits based on bedroom count.

Permit required
0.1% total tax

Kingston

Rhode Island

Moderate

The Town of South Kingstown requires all short-term rentals to register with the Town Clerk and the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation.

Permit required
0.1% total tax

New Shoreham

Rhode Island

Moderate

New Shoreham (Block Island) requires all short-term rental hosts to obtain both a Rhode Island State registration and a local Town STR License. The regulations include a strict occupancy limit of two people per bedroom plus two additional guests and require an annual $50 fee.

Permit required
0.1% total tax

Cranston

Rhode Island

Moderate

Short-term rentals in Cranston are subject to both statewide registration with the DBR and local registration with the Building Inspector, while zoning laws often classify whole-home rentals as prohibited 'hotel/motel' uses in residential zones.

Permit required
0.1% total tax