Rhode IslandH82302026 Regular SessionHouse

AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES .

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

23 provisions identified: 20 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Distance limits and protections for alcohol licenses

Rhode Island limits where new retail alcohol licenses can go. Licenses are blocked within 200 feet of a K–12 school or a place of worship. A license is also blocked if the owner of most land within 200 feet files an objection. In East Providence, Class A licenses are blocked within 500 feet of those places. Class B and C licenses issued before January 1, 1978 are protected. The law also lets transfers go through when the licensed site existed before the school or place of worship.

Bristol waivers for three plat 10 lots

Bristol’s board can waive the distance rule for Class B licenses at plat 10, lots 3, 18, and 19, after you apply. The lots are as shown on Dec. 31, 2007. Decisions are local and not automatic.

Central Falls waivers for two parcels

Central Falls can exempt Class B licenses at Plat 5 Lot 188 and Plat 1 Lot 164, after you apply. Decisions are local and case-by-case.

East Bay towns: address-based license waivers

Town boards in Newport, Bristol, Barrington, Warren, Middletown, and East Providence can waive distance rules for listed sites after you apply. Examples: Bristol plat 10, lot 34 (as of Dec. 31, 1999) and 499 Hope St.; Barrington 305 Sowams Rd.; Warren 4 Market St.; Middletown Plat 107 NW, Lot 55 (as of Dec. 31, 2014); and East Providence 130 Taunton Ave. In Newport, existing Class B license holders can also get sidewalk café exemptions near places of worship. Each approval is discretionary and tied to the exact map/lot or address named.

East Greenwich site-specific Class B waivers

East Greenwich’s Board of Licenses can waive distance rules for Class B licenses at named sites after you apply. This includes 219 Main St. and several other listed addresses on or near Main St. and 2 Academy Court. Each approval is discretionary and tied to the exact address and map/lot in the law.

East Providence waivers at two addresses

East Providence can waive the distance rule for Class B licenses at 332 Bullock Point Ave and 136 Taunton Ave, after you apply. This does not change the city’s 500‑foot rule for Class A stores. Each request is reviewed case-by-case.

Jamestown waiver at 53 Narragansett Ave

Jamestown’s board can exempt a Class BVL license at 53 Narragansett Avenue (Plat 9, Lot 9207), after you apply. Approval is case-by-case.

License waivers in Central Falls and nearby

Local boards in Central Falls, Cumberland, Lincoln, and North Providence can waive distance rules for named parcels after you apply. Examples: 913–915 Dexter St. and Plat 1, Lot 171 in Central Falls; 88 Broad St. (Plat 2, Lots 32, 51, 52) in Cumberland; Plat 10, Lot 108 in Lincoln (as of the 2015 assessor map); and 1441 Mineral Spring Ave. and Plat 19, Lot 761 in North Providence. Each approval is discretionary and tied to the exact map/lot, sometimes by the assessor map year.

Little Compton beer and wine site

Little Compton’s town council can exempt a Class B license limited to beer and wine from the rule that applies to places of worship, at Plat 30, Lot 33. The parcel is as shown on Dec. 31, 2004. You must apply to the council.

Newport waivers near Broadway area

Newport’s board can exempt Class B licenses in a small area near Broadway and Courthouse Square, after you apply. The waiver only applies inside that described area.

North Providence waivers for two parcels

North Providence’s board can exempt Class B licenses at Plat 23A Lot 98 and Plat 22A Lot 336, after you apply. Decisions are local and not automatic.

Pawtucket waivers for set areas and lots

The Pawtucket board can waive the distance rule after you apply. Inside a defined zone, Class B, C, or I licenses may be exempt. On listed plats and lots that existed March 1, 2021, Class B, C, or N licenses may be exempt. These options only apply to the zone and parcels named.

Portsmouth waiver for one parcel

Portsmouth’s board can waive the distance rule for a Class B license at Plat 37, Lot 69, after you apply. Approval is case-by-case.

Providence address-specific alcohol license waivers

Providence’s Board of Licenses can waive distance rules for listed sites after you apply. Covered classes vary by site and can include B, BV, C, I, BX, P, and BL. Examples include 819 Westminster St. (also directly allowed), 94 Carpenter St., 79 Ives St., 1230 Elmwood Ave., 865 Westminster St., 1023 Broad St., 371 Smith St., 225 Waterman St., 737 Hope St., 12 Governor St., 226–230 and 215 Dean St., 1948–1950 Westminster St., 161 and 203–209 Douglas Ave., and 11 Lowell/187–191 Pocasset Ave. Each approval is discretionary and tied to the exact plat/lot listed. Some sites are defined by past assessor maps.

Providence can waive license distance rules

Rhode Island keeps a distance rule for new alcohol licenses. In Providence, the Board of Licenses can approve exemptions after you apply. It covers many listed parcels and two small downtown areas. Some addresses are limited to Class BL or Class BV. Approval is case-by-case and no new state fees are created.

Smithfield renewals and one parcel waiver

In Smithfield, the town council can approve exemptions after you apply. Class B or C licenses at Plat 6, Lot 54 (as of Dec. 31, 2012) may be exempt. Renewals at Plat 45, Lot 042 are allowed if the license was issued on or before Dec. 31, 2011. If that license is not renewed, the exemption ends.

South Kingstown and Westerly license waivers

South Kingstown can waive distance rules for a Class BV license at 357 Main St. (Plat 56-3, Lot 50). Westerly can waive distance rules for a Class B license at 163 Main St. (Map 66, Lot 11). You must apply. Each approval is discretionary and tied to those exact parcels.

Tiverton restaurant license waiver

Tiverton’s board can exempt a restaurant’s Class BV license at Plat 181, Lot 1A, after you apply. Approval is case-by-case.

Warren waivers in business zones

Warren’s board can waive the distance rule for Class B, C, or I licenses in areas zoned limited or general business, after you apply. The waiver only applies inside those business zones.

Westerly waivers on Main and Granite

Westerly’s town council can waive the distance rule after you apply. It covers Class B licenses at 114 Granite St and at 169 and 177 Main St. Decisions are local and not automatic.

Woonsocket waivers downtown and two sites

Woonsocket can grant exemptions after you apply. Any class of retailers’ license in the Downtown Overlay District can be exempt. Two addresses, 122 North Main and 43 Railroad, can also seek Class B exemptions. Decisions are local and not automatic.

Cranston waivers with tax and use rules

Cranston’s board can waive the distance rule at several named parcels after you apply. For Plat 11 Lot 3558 and Plat 1 Lot 2170 (as of Dec. 31, 2012), Class B licenses may be exempt. For Plat 159 Lot 160 and Plat 9 Lot 152, any transferee must follow a May 13, 2003 agreement and other transfer rules. The licensee and the property owner must be current on all local and state taxes. Approval is not automatic.

Which private schools trigger distance rule

The law defines a private school as a nonpublic K–12 school recognized by the state education department or the local school committee. Only those schools count for the distance rule in this section. This can tighten limits near some schools and remove them near others.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 64 • No: 0

House vote • 4/16/2026

ALCOHOLIC BEV -- RETAIL LICENSES PASSAGE