Rhode IslandH80102026 Regular SessionHouse

AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES .

Sponsored By: Teresa A. Tanzi (Democratic)

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Analyzed Economic Effects

14 provisions identified: 13 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

City zones can waive distance rules

Local boards now have power to waive the 200‑foot school and worship distance rule inside certain city zones. Providence can approve Class B, C, or I licenses in its named downtown and Wickenden-area zones after you apply. Pawtucket can approve Class B, C, or I licenses in the corridor named in the law. Newport can approve Class B licenses in the Broadway/Courthouse Square area. You must apply, and boards decide case by case.

Cranston parcel waivers with conditions

Cranston can waive proximity and owner‑objection rules for certain parcels after you apply. For Lot 160 of Plat 159 and Lot 152 of Plat 9 (as of Dec. 31, 2002), the exemption starts only when the license and property owner are current on all local and state taxes; any later transfer must follow the city’s May 13, 2003 MOU and statewide transfer rules. Cranston can also approve Class B licenses at Plat 11, Lot 3558 and at Plat 1, Lot 2170 (as of Dec. 31, 2012).

Providence address-specific license waivers

Providence can waive distance and owner‑objection rules for certain named parcels after you apply. Examples include 100–102 Hope St (Plat 16, Lot 263), 737 Hope St (Plat 6, Lot 595), 215 and 226–230 Dean St, 161 and 203–209 Douglas Ave, and 1948–1950 Westminster St. The law also lists plat/lot sites such as Plat 13 Lots 31–32; Plat 68 Lot 732; Plat 105 Lots 489 and 12; Plat 32 Lot 232; Plat 43 Lot 211; and Plat 109 Lot 289, plus certain Lowell and Pocasset Ave lots as of Dec. 31, 2017. The allowed license class is set per parcel (for example, Class B, C, BV, BX, or P).

Statewide distance limits for alcohol licenses

The law blocks new Retailer Class B, C, N, and I licenses within 200 feet of a school or a place of worship. A license is also blocked if the owner of most land within 200 feet files an objection. Distances are measured from any point of the building. In East Providence, Class A licenses are barred within 500 feet of schools and places of worship.

Central Falls address-specific waivers

Central Falls can waive proximity and owner‑objection rules for three parcels after you apply: Plat 5, Lot 188; and Plat 1, Lots 164 and 171. Exemptions are limited to these named lots and the license class listed for each in the law.

City zones allow license distance waivers

Local boards can waive the 200‑foot and owner‑objection rules in certain mapped areas. In Warren, sites in Limited Business or General Business zones can apply. In Woonsocket, sites in the Downtown Overlay District can apply. In Providence, specific tax lots listed as of December 31, 2003 can apply. In Pawtucket, named plats and lots as of March 1, 2021 can apply. In Newport, current Class B holders can seek a sidewalk café waiver near places of worship. All approvals require a local application and are case by case.

East Bay town parcel waivers

Several East Bay and nearby towns can waive distance and owner‑objection rules for named parcels after you apply. Examples: Bristol (Plat 10, Lots 3, 18, 19 as of Dec. 31, 2007), Tiverton (Plat 181, Lot 1A for a Class BV restaurant), Portsmouth (Plat 37, Lot 69), Middletown (Plat 107 NW, Lot 55 as of Dec. 31, 2014 for a Class BV), East Providence (130 Taunton Ave), Barrington (305 Sowams Rd), and Warren (4 Market St). One Little Compton parcel (Plat 30, Lot 33 as of Dec. 31, 2004) is limited to a Class B license for malt and wine only (no spirits).

East Greenwich address-specific waivers

East Greenwich can waive the distance and owner‑objection rules for named parcels after you apply. Sites include 219 Main St and a list of specific addresses such as 137, 59, 555, 609, 241, 155, and 149 Main St; 2374 Cliff St; and 2 Academy Court. Exemptions are limited to the parcels listed in the law.

North Providence parcel license waivers

North Providence can waive distance and owner‑objection rules for two parcels after you apply: Plat 23A, Lot 98 and Plat 22A, Lot 336. Approvals are limited to the listed parcels and license class in the law.

Northern Rhode Island parcel waivers

Lincoln and Cumberland can waive proximity and owner‑objection rules for named parcels after you apply. Lincoln: Plat 10, Lot 108 (as of Dec. 31, 2015) for a Class B license. Cumberland: 88 Broad St (Plat 2, Lots 32, 51, 52) as of Dec. 31, 2016 for a Class B license.

Other towns’ waivers at named sites

Several towns can waive distance and objection rules for specific addresses, after an application. Examples: Bristol (499 Hope St.; plat 10, lot 34 as of December 31, 1999), South Kingstown (349 Main St.; 357 Main St.), East Providence (136 Taunton Ave.; 332 Bullock Point Ave.), North Providence (Plat 19, Lot 761; 1441 Mineral Spring Ave.), Central Falls (913–915 Dexter St.), Woonsocket (122 North Main St.; 43 Railroad St.), Westerly (114 Granite St.; 169 and 177 Main St.), and Jamestown (53 Narragansett Ave.). Local boards or councils may allow the listed license class for each site (Class B, BV, BL, B‑H, or BVL, as named). Each approval is local and case by case.

Providence waivers at many named addresses

In Providence, the Board of Licenses can waive distance and objection rules at many named addresses after an application. Examples include 225 Waterman St.; 777 Elmwood Ave.; 371 and 375 Smith St.; 671 Broadway; 566 Plainfield St.; 865 Westminster St.; 94 Carpenter St.; 79 Ives St.; 1230 Elmwood Ave.; 1007 and 1017 Broad St.; 1023 Broad St.; 464–468 Wickenden St. (also 8 Governor St.); 12 Governor St.; and 601 Hartford Ave. The board may allow the listed license class for each site (Class B, BV, or BL, as named). This authority only applies to the exact parcels and plat/lot numbers in the law, and each case requires a local review.

Smithfield limited waivers and renewals

Smithfield can waive distance and owner‑objection rules for two specific parcels after you apply. At Plat 45, Lot 042, the exemption covers only renewals of licenses issued for that site as of Dec. 31, 2011; if not renewed, the exemption ends. At Plat 6, Lot 54 (as of Dec. 31, 2012), the council can approve Class B or C licenses.

Westerly Main Street license waiver

Westerly can waive proximity and owner‑objection rules for 163 Main Street (Map 66, Lot 11) after you apply. The exemption is limited to that address and the license class listed in the law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Teresa A. Tanzi
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Tina L. Spears
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 68 • No: 0

House vote • 5/26/2026

ALCOHOLIC /RETAIL LICENSES PASSAGE