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Rhode IslandH58032025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE .

Sponsored By: K. Joseph Shekarchi (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

State reimburses local and coastal permitting costs

The Department of Business Regulation must reimburse municipalities for annual fees and costs of complying with the electronic permitting program. It must also reimburse annual fees and costs tied to the coastal electronic permitting program. Reimbursements follow procedures set by the department. The law states no reimbursement amount and provides no direct household payment.

Permit applicants get one statewide online system

The state building commissioner must arrange for one shared online system for building permits and covered development and agency applications. It handles applications, plan review, inspections, project tracking, and fee collection. Every municipality must use it for covered subdivision, zoning, and low- and moderate-income housing applications by October 1, 2025. Transportation, environmental, and coastal agencies must conduct covered application processes electronically by October 1, 2025. Those agencies must adopt the statewide platform by October 1, 2026.

Building applicants pay construction-based permit levies

Building permit applicants pay an added levy: 0.1% of construction cost for commercial permits and 0.2% for residential permits. The residential levy is capped at $100 per permit for one- and two-family homes. Officials send collections monthly to the State Building Office. All commercial revenue and half the residential revenue support the online permitting system through general revenues. The other residential half goes monthly to a Labor and Training restricted account, exempt from indirect cost recovery. With legislative approval, it funds contractor training grants, including training supporting minority-owned businesses and building officials.

Development and agency applicants pay surcharges

Applicants pay added charges for covered municipal subdivision, zoning, and low- and moderate-income housing applications. Covered transportation, environmental, and coastal agency applications also carry the charge. The law describes the rate as both “one-tenth of one percent” and “.001%” of the total application fee. These rates do not match, so the exact charge is unclear. Municipalities and agencies send collections monthly to the State Building Office to support electronic applications and permitting.

Tent operators trade recurring permits for certification

Covered tents and membrane frame structures no longer face recurring building-code permits and fees. Owners and operators must instead get annual certification. The state building commissioner establishes that process with the state fire marshal. Coverage depends on the structure meeting the building code's definitions; no certification cost is stated.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • K. Joseph Shekarchi

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Christopher R. Blazejewski

    Democratic • House

  • Stephen M. Casey

    Democratic • House

  • Megan L. Cotter

    Democratic • House

  • Matthew S. Dawson

    Democratic • House

  • Alex S. Finkelman

    Democratic • House

  • Raymond A. Hull

    Democratic • House

  • June Speakman

    Democratic • House

  • Jennifer A. Stewart

    Democratic • House

  • Teresa A. Tanzi

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 144 • No: 0

House vote • 5/6/2025

STATE BUILDING CODE PASSAGE PASSAGE OF AMENDMENT

Yes: 71 • No: 0

House vote • 5/6/2025

STATE BUILDING CODE PASSAGE AS AMENDED

Yes: 73 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor — Chapter 365

    7/1/2025Governor

  2. Transmitted to Governor

    6/25/2025Governor

  3. Senate passed Sub A as amended in concurrence

    6/21/2025Senate

  4. Placed on Senate Calendar (06/20/2025)

    6/18/2025Senate

  5. Committee recommends passage of Sub A as amended in concurrence

    6/18/2025

  6. Scheduled for consideration (06/18/2025)

    6/16/2025

  7. Referred to Senate Housing and Municipal Government

    6/11/2025Senate

  8. House passed Sub A as amended (floor amendment)

    5/6/2025House

  9. Placed on House Calendar (05/06/2025)

    5/2/2025House

  10. Committee recommends passage of Sub A

    4/10/2025

  11. Proposed Substitute

    4/4/2025

  12. Scheduled for consideration (04/10/2025)

    4/4/2025

  13. Committee recommended measure be held for further study

    3/20/2025

  14. Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/20/2025)

    3/14/2025

  15. Introduced, referred to House Municipal Government & Housing

    2/27/2025House

Bill Text

  • H5803 - As Introduced

    2/27/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • H5803 - Substitute

    2/27/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • H5803 - Substitute As Amended

    2/27/2025

    HTMLPDF

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