Town of Portsmouth Zoning Ordinance - Article V Use Regulations Table
Portsmouth, Rhode Island
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Portsmouth, RI 05/29/24
Zoning Amendment Proposed for Adoption
ORDINANCE NO. 23-___
Town of Portsmouth
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
CHAPTER 405 ZONING
ARTICLE V USE REGULATIONS
Principal Use District
R10
R20
R30
R40
R60
C-1
I-L
I-H
WD
TC
A. RESIDENTIAL
(Note: Please also refer to
definitions of 'dwelling unit',
'family', and 'household'.)
1. One detached dwelling unit
on a separate lot occupied by
not more than one household.
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
2. One two-family or one
duplex structure on a separate
lot.
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
3. Motels and Hotels (See
Article VII.)
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
4. Renting of rooms in an
existing dwelling unit to not
more than four (4) persons
provided there are no separate
cooking facilities and no
separate means of ingress or
egress.
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N*
N
N
S
N
5. Renting rooms in an existing
dwelling unit to more than four
(4) persons.
N
N
N
N
N
S
N
N
S
N
Portsmouth, RI 05/29/24
Zoning Amendment Proposed for Adoption
6. Conversion of an existing
dwelling unit to accommodate
not more than two (2)
households provided there is no
external evidence of occupancy
by more than one (1) household
and provided the dimensional
requirements for a two-family
dwelling are met.
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N*
S
S
S
N
7. Conversion of an existing
dwelling unit to accommodate
more than two (2) families.
S
S
S
S
N
N*
S
S
S
N
8. Trailer or mobile home,
except in a trailer or mobile
home park.
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
9. Trailer park or Mobile home
park.
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
10. Apartments,
Condominiums, Cluster and
Town Houses or Multi-family
development (See Article VII.)
S
S
S
S
S
S
N
N
S
N
11. Mixed Residential and
Commercial Uses, except
Home Occupations.
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
12. Community Residences
(See definition.)
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
13. Planned Marina Village
Development (PMVD), as
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
N
14. Planned Resort
Development (PRD), as as
approved by the Planning
Board[1]
[Added 9-19-2006]
N
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
Y*
N
N
14. Planned Resort
Development (PRD), as
Portsmouth, RI 05/29/24
Zoning Amendment Proposed for Adoption
approved by the Planning
Board * [2]
[Added 9-19-2006; amended 5-
26-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-05-
26]
*
Lots directly abutted on both
sides by residential uses may
apply for a special use permit
for said residential use.
*
Planned Resort Development
(PRD) is permitted within the
R20, R40 and HI Zones limited
to the area bounded by Willow
Lane, West Main Road, Bristol
Ferry Road and the Mount
Hope Bridge. Planned Resort
Development (PRD) is
permitted within the R30 Zone
limited to Map 55, Lot 1A.
[Amended 5-26-2015 by Ord.
No. 2015-05-26]
B. INSTITUTIONAL,
RECREATIONAL AND
EDUCATIONAL USES
1. Place of worship.
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
N
2. Private or public school not
conducted as a private business
for gain.
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
N
3. Cemeteries or mausoleums.
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
S
S
S
N
N
4. Public park or playground,
public recreational building or
facility.
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Portsmouth, RI 05/29/24
Zoning Amendment Proposed for Adoption
5. Public utilities, limited to
electrical, telephone, water, gas,
cable television and sewer.
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
N
6. Private non-profit libraries or
museums.
S
S
S
S
N
Y
S
S
S
Y
7. Private non-profit
community center building,
settlement house, adult
education center or other
similar facility.
S
S
S
S
S
S
N
N
N
Y
8. Hospital, clinic, infirmary,
nursing home, convalescent
home, institutional residence
group homes or other
congregate care facility not
qualifying as a community
residence.
S
S
S
S
N
S
S
N
N
S
9. Day Care Center: provided
any outdoor play area is
screened by fence, wall, or
planting line from any
neighboring residential
structure and is not detrimental
to the to the neighborhood by
reason of noise. (Formerly Day
nursery.) [Amended 3-13-2017
by Ord. No. 2017-03-13]
S
S
S
S
N
S
S
S
S
S
9a. Family Day Care Home
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
Y
N
10. Trade, professional or other
for profit school for gain.
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
S
11. Private non-profit
membership or social club or
lodge.
N
N
N
N
N
Y
N
N
N
N
Portsmouth, RI 05/29/24
Zoning Amendment Proposed for Adoption
12. Country club, golf,
swimming, tennis or other
outdoor recreational facility.
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
Y
S
13. Indoor entertainment and
recreational facilities operated
as a business for gain, provided
that such use is housed indoors
in sound-insulated structures
that protect the neighborhood.
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
C. AGRICULTURAL
1. agricultural, orchard,
horticultural or silvicultural.
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
2. Farms- livestock, fish and
shellfish, or poultry but not
swine, provided that any
building housing livestock or
poultry is not less than fifty feet
(50') from the property
boundary. [Amended 9-9-1997
3 ]
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
3. One roadside stand per farm
for the sale of agricultural or
horticultural products the major
portion of which are grown or
produced on the premises or an
adjacent parcel; must provide
off- street parking. [Amended
10-25-2010
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
4. Agricultural Promotion Uses
[Added 6-8-2015 by Ord. No.
2015-06-08]
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
N
5. Agricultural Special Events
[Added 6-8-2015 by Ord. No.
2015-06-08]
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
N
Portsmouth, RI 05/29/24
Zoning Amendment Proposed for Adoption
6. Farm Brewery
[Added 10-9-2018 by Ord. No.
2018-10-09]
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
D. OFFICES AND
LABORATORY USES
1. Business, financial or
professional offices with no
retail, manufacturing or
processing.
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
2. Offices and clinics for
medical, psychiatric, or other
health services for the
examination or treatment of
persons as out- patient,
including laboratories that are
part of such office or clinic.
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
3. Laboratory or research
facility.
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
4. Radio, television or
recording studio.
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
E. RETAIL AND CONSUMER
SERVICES
1. Store for retail sale of
merchandise, provided all
display storage and sales for
materials are conducted within
a building and there is no
manufacturing or assembly on
the premises.
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
2. Store for retail sale or
merchandise, with outside
display storage of wares and
merchandise, provided there is
no manufacturing or assembly
on the premises.
N
N
N
N
N
S
S
S
S
S
Portsmouth, RI 05/29/24
Zoning Amendment Proposed for Adoption
3. Eating places serving food
and beverages to be consumed
within the building.
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
4. Stores for sale of marine
supplies and associated items
including boats and trailers.
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
5. Service business serving
needs of local residents.
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
6. Marinas including sales and
repair of boats and related
supplies.
N
N
N
N
N
S
S
S
Y
N
7.1. Mortuary or funeral
establishment (crematorium not
permitted on the premises).
[Amended 4-9-1996]
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
7.2. Mortuary or funeral
establishment (crematorium
permitted on the premises).
[Amended 4-9-1996]
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
8. Veterinary establishment,
kennel or similar establishment.
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
9. Store for retail sale of
merchandise such as, but not
limited to, lumber yards and
building supply yards, wherein
merchandise is stored in the
open provided that all
merchandise so stored is
screened from ground level
view from any abutting street or
property at the property line
where such materials are stored.
N
N
N
N
N
S
S
S
S
N
Portsmouth, RI 05/29/24
Zoning Amendment Proposed for Adoption
10. Dispatch facility for
transportation company
providing bus transportation
services to Town of Portsmouth
schools with associated parking
of buses but no repair facilities.
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
11. Telephone exchanges, but
not including service or storage
yards, or microwave
transmission facilities.
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
12. "Outdoor Trade Shows"
which includes those events in
which manufacturers,
wholesalers and/or retailers
shall assemble to display their
wares and merchandise for
promotion and sale to the
general public, including but
not limited to Art Shows, Boat
Shows, Antique Shows and the
like.
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
N
13a. Itinerant vendors as
defined by Rhode Island
Statutes.
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
13b. All other vendors from
temporary fixed locations
except as otherwise allowed by
this Ordinance.
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
14. New retail business, office
or consumer service
development of over 5,000
gross square feet of floor area
or over 20,000. (See Article
VII. Section G.)
N
N
N
N
N
S
S
S
S
S
Portsmouth, RI 05/29/24
Zoning Amendment Proposed for Adoption
14.1. Addition to new retail
business, office or consumer
service complex, as in 14,
provided the additions increase
the size of the buildings by no
more than 30% over the size of
the buildings as constructed
under the first application
approved under Section 14.
Such additions need not be
constructed at the same time.
[Added 10-15-1996]
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
SY
14.2 Addition to existing retail
business, office or consumer
service complex provided the
addition increases the existing
buildings by no more than 30%
over the size of the buildings as
existing at the time of the
enactment of this amendment.
Such additions need not be
constructed at the same time.
[Added 10-15-1996]
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
14.3 Addition to new or
existing retail business, office
or consumer service complex of
more than 30% over the size of
the buildings as existing at the
time of the enactment of this
amendment, or a Substantial
Improvement, as defined in
Article II. Such additions need
not be constructed at the same
time. [Added 1-21-2004]
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Portsmouth, RI 05/29/24
Zoning Amendment Proposed for Adoption
14.4 New or expanded retail
business, office or consumer
service development totaling
over 25,000 square feet
building gross floor area of the
first floor in one or more
buildings as approved by the
Planning Board as a Planned
Retail/Service Development
(See Article VIII. Section D).
[Added 2-4-2008]
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
14.5 New or expanded single
use retail business of over
45,000 square feet building
foundation area in one building
abutting the Traffic Sensitive
District. [Added 2-4-2008]
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
15 . Sales places for flowers,
garden supplies, agricultural
produce partly or wholly
outdoors including commercial
greenhouses.
S
S
S
S
S
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
16. Place for exhibition,
lettering or sale of gravestones.
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
17. Marine Trade Development
as approved by the Planning
Board.5
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
18. Planned Retail/ Service
Development as approved by
the Planning Board.6
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
Y
**
Provided the development is
approved by the Planning
Board pursuant to Article VII.
(Op. Cit. Planned Unit
Development)
Portsmouth, RI 05/29/24
Zoning Amendment Proposed for Adoption
F. AUTOMOTIVE AND
DRIVE IN RETAIL
1 Automobile fuel service
stations.
N
N
N
N
N
Y
N
Y
Y
N
2. Sale or rental of boats and
rental of other motor vehicles
and accessory storage.
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
2a. Sale or rental of
automobiles.
N
N
N
N
N
Y
N
N
N
N
3 Automobile repair shops,
provided all work is carried out
within the building.
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
4. Boat Repair Shops.
N
N
N
N
N
S
S
S
Y
N
5. Car washing establishments
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
6. Paint and body shops,
provided all work is carried out
within the building.
N
N
N
N
N
S
S
S
S
N
7. Free standing drive-in or
drive- through facility, whether
attended by an employee or
unattended.
N
N
N
N
N
S
N
N
N
N
G. INDUSTRIAL,
WHOLESALE AND
TRANSPORTATION USES
1. Laundries and dry cleaning
plants.
N
N
N
N
N
S
S
S
Y
N
2. Printing, binding, publishing
and related arts and trades.
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
3. Bottling of beverages.
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
4 Plumbing, electrical or
carpentry shop or other similar
service or repair
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Portsmouth, RI 05/29/24
Zoning Amendment Proposed for Adoption
5. Place of manufacturing,
assembly or packaging of
goods, provided that all
resulting cinders, dust, flashing,
fumes, gases, odors, refuse
matter, smoke and vapor be
effectively confined to the
premises or be disposed of in a
manner that does not create a
nuisance or hazard to safety or
health, provided that food or
animal waste processing is not
less than fifty feet (50') from
the property boundary.
[Amended 9-9-1997[7]]
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
6. Place of manufacturing,
assembly or packaging of
goods, provided that all
resulting cinders, dust, flashing,
fumes, gases, odors, refuse
matter, smoke and vapor be
effectively confined to the
premises or be disposed of in a
manner that does not create a
nuisance or hazard to safety or
health with no outside storage
of goods or materials.
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
7. Wholesale business and
storage in an enclosed and
roofed structure.
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
8. Wholesale business,
including outdoor storage.
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
9. Trucking terminals.
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
10. Extractive industries and
earth removal. (See Ordinance
No. 107.[8])
N
N
N
N
N
N
S
S
N
N
Portsmouth, RI 05/29/24
Zoning Amendment Proposed for Adoption
11. Planned Corporate
Development as approved by
the Planning Board. [9]
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
12. Planned Industrial
Development as approved by
the Planning Board. [10]
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
N
N
13. Mass Storage of fuel in
tanks exceeding 50,000 gallons.
[Added 6-17-2002]
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
14. Mass Storage of fuel in
tanks not exceeding 50,000
gallons. [Added 6-17-2002]
N
N
N
N
N
N
S
S
N
N
H. Other Principal Uses
1. Any use that is hazardous,
offensive or noxious by reason
of potential of fire, noise or
vibration, dust, gas, fumes,
odor, smoke, cinders, flashing
or excessively bright light,
refuse matter or
electromagnetic radiation.
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
2. Open lot storage, including
unused vehicles not held for
sale.
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
3. Sale of junk or salvage
materials.
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
4. Any use hazardous to health
because of danger of flooding,
inadequacy of drainage or
inaccessibility to fire fighting
apparatus or other protective
service or any use which
creates excessive noise beyond
the property line.
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
I. ACCESSORY USES
Portsmouth, RI 05/29/24
Zoning Amendment Proposed for Adoption
1. A private garage for residents
of an existing dwelling on the
same premises.
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
2. More than one (1)
commercial vehicle per lot in
excess two (2) tons capacity.
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
3. A storage shed with a
maximum of 120 square feet
area and no more than 12 feet
in height. Storage sheds of over
120 square feet shall meet all
dimensional requirements of
the zoning use district in which
it is located.
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
4. Private greenhouse, tennis
court, or other similar building
or structure for domestic use.
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
5. Swimming pool enclosed by
a six foot (6') fence and the
pool area locked when not in
use.
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
6, The raising or keeping of
animals, livestock or poultry as
pets or for use by residents of
the premises provided that no
buildings or enclosure
(including fencing) for any
animal may be less than fifty
feet (50') from side, rear or
front lot line. Provided,
however, the raising or keeping
of swine shall comply with all
R.I. Department of Health rules
and regulations not inconsistent
with the provisions hereof.
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Portsmouth, RI 05/29/24
Zoning Amendment Proposed for Adoption
7. Home occupation of a
resident provided that not more
than three (3) persons shall
practice or be employed on the
premises at any one time and
further provided that not more
than 20% of the floor area is so
used. (See Definition of Home
Occupations)
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
8. Restaurants inside a building
for the use of the primary
occupants of the building
provided there is no exterior
evidence of same.
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
9. Restaurants primarily for the
use of residents of an apartment
building or group of apartment
buildings provided there is no
exterior evidence of same and
further provided the apartment
building or group of buildings
is under one management and
contains not less than one
hundred (100) dwelling units.
(Leasing of the restaurant is
permitted.)
S
S
S
S
N
N
N
Y
Y
S
10. The storage of one (1)
recreational vehicle and one (1)
boat and trailer, meeting the
Yard requirements as set forth
in the Land Space
Requirements Table, except
that in R-10 the yard
requirements for this use shall
be fifty percent (50%) of those
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Portsmouth, RI 05/29/24
Zoning Amendment Proposed for Adoption
set forth in the Land Space
Requirements Table.
11. Construction equipment,
storage of.
N
N
N
N
N
S
Y
Y
Y
N
12. Windmills and other wind
power generating devices,
whether commercial or
otherwise.
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
N
13. Drive-in or drive- through
facility, whether attended or
unattended by an employee,
that is accessory to the primary
commercial use.
N
N
N
N
N
S
S
S
S
S
14. Day Care conducted in
one's own home, but otherwise
meeting the definition of 'Day
Care- Family Day Care Home',
provided there is no exterior
signage.
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
15. Accessory Family Dwelling
Unit, providing there are no
separate cooking facilities and
no separate means of ingress or
egress.
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
16. Private school conducted as
an accessory to the principal
use. (See also parking
requirements, Article IX.)
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
S
J. SOLAR ENERGY
SYSTEMS (ARTICLE XX)
1. Large solar energy system
N
N
N
N
N
M
M
M
M
N
2. Medium solar energy system
N
N
N
N
N
M
M
M
M
N
3. Small solar energy system
S
S
S
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
S
4. Accessory roof- mounted
solar energy system
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Portsmouth, RI 05/29/24
Zoning Amendment Proposed for Adoption
Section B
1. Adaptive Reuse Projects.
a.
Permitted Use. Adaptive reuse for the conversion of any commercial building, including offices, schools, religious
facilities, medical buildings, and malls into residential units or mixed-use developments is a permitted use, under the
criteria described below under Eligibility.
b. Eligibility.
1. Adaptive reuse development must include at least 50% of existing gross floor area developed into residential
units.
2. There are no environmental land use restrictions recorded on the property preventing the conversion to residential
use by RIDEM or the US EPA.
c.
Density calculations.
1. For projects that meet the following criteria, the residential density shall be no less than fifteen (15) dwelling
units per acre:
i.
Where the project is limited to the existing footprint, except that the footprint is allowed to be expanded
to accommodate upgrades related to the building fire code, and utility requirements.
ii. The development includes at least twenty percent (20%) low- and moderate-income housing.
iii. The development has access to public sewer and water service or has access to adequate private water,
such as well and/or wastewater treatment systems approved by the relevant state agency for the entire
development as applicable.
2. For all other adaptive reuse projects, the residential density permitted in the converted structure shall be the
maximum allowed that otherwise meets all standards of minimum housing and has access to public sewer and
water services or has access to adequate private water, such as well and wastewater treatment systems approved
by the relevant state agency for the entire development, as applicable.
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Zoning Amendment Proposed for Adoption
3. The density proposed for any adaptive reuse project shall be determined to meet all public health and safety
standards.
d. Dimensional requirements.
1. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, existing building setbacks shall remain and are considered
legal nonconforming.
2. No additional encroachments shall be permitted into any nonconforming setback unless relief is granted by the
permitting authority.
3. Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, the height of the structure shall be considered legal
nonconforming if it exceeds the maximum height of the zoning district in which the structure is located.
i.
Any rooftop construction necessary for building or fire code compliance, or utility infrastructure is
included in the height exemption.
e.
Parking requirements.
1. Adaptive reuse developments shall provide one parking space per dwelling unit. The applicant may propose
additional parking in excess of one space per dwelling unit.
2. The parking requirements and design standards in Chapter 405 Section A Off-Street Parking and Loading shall
apply to all uses proposed as part of the project unless otherwise approved by the applicable authority. The
number of parking spaces required shall apply for uses other than residential.
f.
Allowed uses within an adaptive reuse project.
1. Residential dwelling units are a permitted use in an adaptive reuse project regardless of the zoning district in
which the structure is located, in accordance with the provisions of this section.
2. Any nonresidential uses proposed as part of an adaptive reuse project must comply with the provisions of Chapter
405 Article V Use Regulations for the zoning district in which the structure is located.
2. Development and Design Standards. Site design shall be in accordance with the Chapter 236 Article X Design and Improvement
Standards.
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Zoning Amendment Proposed for Adoption
3. Procedural requirements.
a.
Adaptive reuse project shall be subject to the procedural requirements of Article VIII Land Development Projects and
undergo review as determined in that section.
b. In addition to the checklist requirements for the applicable review process, the applicant shall provide the following
information:
1. The proposed residential density and the square footage of nonresidential uses.
2. A floor plan to scale for each building indicating, as applicable, the use of floor space, number of units, number
of bedrooms, and the square footage of each unit.
c.
Specific and objective provisions
1. Applications for adaptive reuse projects shall be subject to the specific and objective criteria for projects in
accordance with Article VII Special Use Permits, Section C Criteria for Special Use Permits.