Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Rhode Island

Re: Zoning law legality

Towns and cities in Rhode Island have the right to set their own ordinances which may, at times, regulate situations in which you can use a residential property for a commercial purpose. However, if you are talking about simply a border who is renting a room in your home and is allowed to share common utilities in your home then this should not be affected by local ordinances. Typically if a town or city is going to block a situation like this it is when there is a second in-law apartment or secondary apartment in your home that is not up to code and does not meet the required standards to qualify as a separate apartment. It also makes a difference whether you own your home or whether you are a tenant of an owner. Typically border situations cannot be prevented by a town or city absent information that is not contained in your question.

My best of luck to you in your present situation.