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Rent Control Laws in Rhode Island

In Providence, Rhode Island, the City Council passed a 4% rent stabilization ordinance in April 2026, but the mayor vetoed it and the override vote failed on May 15, 2026.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Rhode Island at a glance

Local rent control
Providence 4% cap vetoed in 2026, not in effect
The council passed the ordinance 9 to 6; the May 15, 2026 override vote fell short of the 10 votes needed.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Rhode Island

Which cities in Rhode Island have rent control?

Local rent control in Rhode Island: Providence 4% cap vetoed in 2026, not in effect. The council passed the ordinance 9 to 6; the May 15, 2026 override vote fell short of the 10 votes needed.

Where do the Rhode Island rent control laws come from?

The rules above come from Rhode Island Current, Providence veto override vote fails (May 15, 2026) and Center for Justice testimony on H 8108, RI House Judiciary (March 18, 2026). Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

A bill for a statewide 4% annual rent cap (H 8108) received testimony in the House Judiciary Committee in March 2026; its final status was not confirmed.

What this means in practice

Even where there is no rent control, a landlord usually cannot raise the rent during a fixed-term lease unless the lease allows it. Increases normally take effect at renewal or after written notice for a month-to-month tenancy, and notice periods are set by state law.

Rent caps and rent stabilization rules commonly have exemptions, such as buildings built in recent years, owner-occupied duplexes, or units owned by individuals rather than companies. A unit can sit in a covered city and still be exempt, so read the coverage section of the law closely.

Local rent control ordinances change through ballot measures and council votes more often than state law does. If you rent or own property in a city that regulates rent, check the city or county housing department for the current allowable increase and any registration requirements.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.