R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 45-24.2 § 45-24.2-7
Penalties — District court jurisdiction — Providence housing court — Lead court calendar — Municipal court of the town of North Providence — Review by Supreme Court
Operative Text
(a) Failure to comply with any ordinance, rule, or regulation passed pursuant either to
the authority hereof or to any special act governing minimum housing shall constitute
a violation, as defined in § 11-1-2, punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500) for each violation,
and each day's failure to comply with any provision shall constitute a separate violation.
The district court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction of all violations as
provided in § 12-3-1; provided, that in the city of Providence, the Providence housing court shall have
jurisdiction to try violations occurring within the city of Providence; provided,
further, that in the town of North Providence, the municipal court of the town of
North Providence shall have jurisdiction to try violations occurring within the town
of North Providence, but only in the event that the city shall by ordinance create
a court for the purpose of exercising jurisdiction over minimum housing standards.
A party aggrieved by any judgment of the district court imposing a fine pursuant to
this section may seek review by the supreme court in accordance with § 12-22-1.1.
(b) The city council of the city of Providence may establish within its housing court
a separate calendar within the jurisdiction of the housing court to be known and referred
to as the "lead court calendar" for the hearing trial and disposition of actions involving
lead within buildings and on premises or property in the city of Providence, including,
but not limited to, actions brought pursuant to chapter 24.6 of title 23 ("Lead Poisoning Prevention Act") and/or chapter 128.1 of title 42 ("Lead Hazard Mitigation"). The jurisdiction of the "lead court calendar" of the
Providence housing court shall be concurrent with any other court or entity given
jurisdiction to hear such matters under the general laws. A justice of the lead court
calendar may defer or order a case removed to another court or forum of competent
jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, an appropriate administrative agency,
if the judge determines that such other court or forum would be a more appropriate
court or forum to hear the matter involved.Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-24.2-7, failing to comply with a minimum housing ordinance, rule, or regulation is treated as a separate violation for every day the noncompliance continues, and each violation can result in a fine of up to $500. Jurisdiction over these violations generally rests with the district court, though the Providence Housing Court handles cases arising within Providence and, under certain conditions, the North Providence Municipal Court handles cases within that town. The Providence City Council is also authorized to establish a specialized 'lead court calendar' within the housing court to consolidate cases involving lead hazards in buildings and on property, with that calendar operating alongside other courts or agencies that may have overlapping authority.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to Rhode Island minimum housing standards should be aware that under § 45-24.2-7, every day a violation of a covered ordinance, rule, or regulation continues is treated as a new, independently fineable offense, with fines reaching up to $500 per violation. Operators who maintain properties in Providence should note that enforcement proceedings are handled by the Providence Housing Court, while those with properties in North Providence may face proceedings in the North Providence Municipal Court if that court has been established by ordinance. Compliant operators generally document ongoing maintenance efforts and address any cited deficiencies promptly to limit the accumulation of per-day violations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in housing subject to Rhode Island minimum housing standards may find § 45-24.2-7 relevant if a landlord is failing to comply with a covered ordinance, rule, or regulation, since each day of noncompliance can constitute a separate, fineable violation. Depending on where the property is located, enforcement actions are heard in the district court, the Providence Housing Court (for Providence properties), or potentially the North Providence Municipal Court (for North Providence properties). Tenants can explore options such as reporting conditions to the appropriate local housing authority, raising a violation as a defense in related proceedings, or consulting a tenant-rights organization to understand which enforcement paths may be available.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
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