R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 45-31.2 § 45-31.2-3
Moving and related expenses
Operative Text
(a) If a relocation agency acquires real property for public use, it shall make fair and reasonable relocation payments to displaced persons and businesses as required by this chapter, for: (1) Actual reasonable expenses in moving him or herself, his or her family, business, farm operation, or other personal property; (2) Actual direct losses of tangible personal property as a result of moving or discontinuing a business or farm operation, but not to exceed an amount equal to the reasonable expenses required to relocate the property, as determined by the relocation agency; and (3) Actual reasonable expenses in searching for a replacement business or farm. (b) Any displaced person eligible for payments under subsection (a), who is displaced from a dwelling and who elects to accept the payments authorized by this subsection in lieu of the payments authorized by subsection (a), may receive a moving expense allowance, determined according to a schedule established by the relocation agency, not to exceed the amount established by the federal law; and a dislocation allowance of an amount established by federal law. (c) Any displaced person eligible for payments under subsection (a), who is displaced from his or her place of business or from his or her farm operation and who elects to accept the payment authorized by this subsection in lieu of the payment authorized by subsection (a), may receive a fixed payment in an amount equal to the average annual net earnings of the business or farm operation, except that the payment shall not be less than an amount established by the federal law nor more than an amount established by the federal law. In the case of a business, no payment shall be made under this subsection unless the relocation agency is satisfied that the business (1) cannot be relocated without a substantial loss of its existing patronage, and (2) is not a part of a commercial enterprise having at least one other establishment not being acquired by the state, which is engaged in the same or similar business. For purposes of this subsection, the term "average annual net earnings" means one-half (½) of any net earnings of the business or farm operation, before federal, state, and local income taxes, during the two (2) taxable years immediately preceding the taxable year in which the business or farm operation moves from the real property acquired for the project, or during another period that the agency determines to be more equitable for establishing the earnings, and includes any compensation paid by the business or farm operation to the owner, the owner's spouse, or the owner's dependents during that period.
Rhode Island General Laws § 45-31.2-3 governs the relocation payments that a government or public relocation agency must provide when it acquires private property for public use. Displaced individuals, families, businesses, and farm operations are entitled to reimbursement for actual, reasonable moving costs, losses of tangible personal property tied to the move, and expenses incurred while searching for a replacement business or farm. As an alternative to itemized reimbursement, displaced residents may opt for a scheduled moving allowance plus a dislocation allowance, while displaced business or farm owners may instead elect a fixed payment based on average annual net earnings, subject to federally established floor and ceiling amounts.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners whose real estate is being acquired under § 45-31.2-3 should be aware that the relocation agency is obligated to offer fair and reasonable relocation payments covering documented moving costs, tangible property losses, and replacement-site search expenses. Compliant agencies typically present displaced property owners with a clear choice between itemized actual-cost reimbursement and the fixed-payment or allowance alternatives described in subsections (b) and (c), ensuring that displaced parties understand the trade-offs before making an election. Owners of businesses or farms considering the fixed-payment option under subsection (c) should note that eligibility depends on the agency's determination that the business cannot be relocated without substantial loss of patronage and that it is not part of a larger commercial enterprise with an unaffected location.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants displaced from their dwellings as a result of a public acquisition under § 45-31.2-3 have a right to fair and reasonable relocation payments from the acquiring relocation agency, covering actual moving expenses. Under subsection (b), displaced tenants may alternatively elect a scheduled moving expense allowance plus a dislocation allowance, with amounts tied to federally established limits, rather than seeking reimbursement for each individual expense. Tenants who believe they have not received the payments to which they are entitled under § 45-31.2-3 may wish to contact the relocation agency directly for a written explanation of the payment determination, or consult a tenant-rights organization for guidance on available remedies.
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.
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