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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Portsmouth
Per Rhode Island General Law section 23-27.3-113.1, a permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, remove, or demolish any building or to change occupancy. Required for remodeling, roofing, siding, decks, swimming pools, sheds, detached garages, and temporary structures. Most electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work requires specialty permits.
Ordinary repairs per RI General Law section 23-27.3-102.0 that do not violate any provision of the building code
Interior painting and wallcoverings
Flooring replacement (no structural work)
Cabinet installation
Fences under 6 feet in height
Landscaping (no structural grading or drainage alteration)
- Exempt Ordinary repairs per RI General Law section 23-27.3-102.0 that do not violate any provision of the building code
- Exempt Interior painting and wallcoverings
- Exempt Flooring replacement (no structural work)
- Exempt Cabinet installation
- Exempt Fences under 6 feet in height
- Exempt Landscaping (no structural grading or drainage alteration)
Required documents
- Completed application
- Site plan showing property location, dimensions, existing structures, proposed structures, erosion control, and septic system layout
- Building plans (foundation, floor plans, elevations, cross sections, details)
- Engineered calculations for beams and trusses when applicable
- Flood zone documentation and elevation certificate for flood zone properties
- RIDEM and CRMC approvals if in coastal or wetland areas
- Contractor RICRLB registration number
- Fire department approval for commercial projects
- Building code
- Rhode Island State Building Code (IBC-based with RI amendments); IECC 2024 for energy compliance including electric readiness provisions for EV chargers and solar
- Permit validity
- Permits expire if work is not commenced within six months of issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for six months; check with the Building Inspection Department for renewal procedures
- Owner-builder
- Homeowners may obtain permits for their primary owner-occupied residence; must sign an affidavit accepting responsibility for the work and for arranging required inspections; owner-builder status does not apply to rental properties
- Contractor requirements
- General contractors must be registered with RICRLB (https://crb.ri.gov/); licensed electricians and licensed plumbers are required for those specialty permits statewide
Source: Building Inspection Department ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not officially published; contact (401) 683-3611 or mkent@portsmouthri.gov for current estimates
- 01 Determine project scope; confirm zoning compliance before applying.
- 02 Gather required documentation (site plans, construction drawings, flood zone documentation if applicable, other agency approvals).
- 03 Submit application online at https://portsmouthri.portal.opengov.com/categories/1072 or in person at Town Hall 2nd Floor.
- 04 Attach all supporting documents with the application; incomplete applications may be rejected.
- 05 Pay applicable fees (minimum $66.00).
- 06 Building Official reviews plans for code compliance.
- 07 For new construction: additional reviews by Fire Department ($75 plan review fee) and coordination of soil bond ($3,000+ refundable).
- 08 Permit issued; post permit card on job site.
- 09 Contact Building Inspection to schedule required inspections.
- 10 All inspections passed; final inspection completed; certificate of occupancy or completion issued.
Typical processing time: Not officially published; contact (401) 683-3611 or mkent@portsmouthri.gov for current estimates
Source: Building Inspection Department ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Portsmouth building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$66.00
02
Plan check fee
Fire Department plan review for new construction: $75.00 flat fee
03
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based; calculated on the estimated cost of the project (labor and materials); uses the Rhode Island statewide tiered formula (510-RICR-00-00-21)
04
Penalty (no permit)
Working Without a Permit (as of May 2025): $500 first offense (contractors or repeat homeowners); $1,000 second offense; $5,000 third offense; subsequent offenses double the prior amount. First-time homeowner violations complied with within one business day are exempt from the penalty.
Online payment via the OpenGov portal; check payable to Town of Portsmouth for mail submissions; in-person payment at Town Hall
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- (401) 683-3611 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Wednesday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.; Friday 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Typical sequence: Footing and foundation; framing (before insulation or sheathing covers work); rough electrical, plumbing, and mechanical; insulation; final electrical, plumbing, mechanical; final building inspection; certificate of occupancy
Source: Building Inspection Department ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Portsmouth permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Portsmouth, RI? ▸
Per Rhode Island General Law section 23-27.3-113.1, a permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, remove, or demolish any building or to change occupancy. Required for remodeling, roofing, siding, decks, swimming pools, sheds, detached garages, and temporary structures. Most electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work requires specialty permits.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Portsmouth, RI? ▸
Building permit fees in Portsmouth, RI are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $66.00. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based; calculated on the estimated cost of the project (labor and materials); uses the Rhode Island statewide tiered formula (510-RICR-00-00-21). Plan check fee: Fire Department plan review for new construction: $75.00 flat fee.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Portsmouth, RI? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Portsmouth, RI, follow these steps: 1. Determine project scope; confirm zoning compliance before applying. 2. Gather required documentation (site plans, construction drawings, flood zone documentation if applicable, other agency approvals). 3. Submit application online at https://portsmouthri.portal.opengov.com/categories/1072 or in person at Town Hall 2nd Floor. 4. Attach all supporting documents with the application; incomplete applications may be rejected. 5. Pay applicable fees (minimum $66.00). 6. Building Official reviews plans for code compliance. 7. For new construction: additional reviews by Fire Department ($75 plan review fee) and coordination of soil bond ($3,000+ refundable). 8. Permit issued; post permit card on job site. 9. Contact Building Inspection to schedule required inspections. 10. All inspections passed; final inspection completed; certificate of occupancy or completion issued.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Portsmouth, RI? ▸
Building permit processing times in Portsmouth, RI typically run Not officially published; contact (401) 683-3611 or mkent@portsmouthri.gov for current estimates. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Portsmouth, RI? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Portsmouth, RI. The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary repairs per RI General Law section 23-27.3-102.0 that do not violate any provision of the building code; Interior painting and wallcoverings; Flooring replacement (no structural work); Cabinet installation; Fences under 6 feet in height; Landscaping (no structural grading or drainage alteration). When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Portsmouth, RI? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Portsmouth, RI via: (401) 683-3611.
last verified April 2026
source Building Inspection Department ↗
entry id permits/rhode-island/newport/portsmouth
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Inspection Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.