Town of Westerly, RI - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Covers all land within the Town of Westerly, including Westerly proper, Watch Hill, Weekapaug, Bradford, and surrounding areas. No separate permit authority for any village or neighborhood. Development Services also includes Planning, Zoning, Code Enforcement, and Architectural Review.

Department

Building Office (within Development Services Department)

Address

45 Broad Street (lower level of Town Hall), Westerly, RI 02891

Phone

(401) 348-2547

Website

https://westerlyri.gov/152/Building-Office

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine whether work requires a building permit and whether zoning approval is also required (single-family dwellings, garages, decks, sheds, and pools require zoning approval before building permit can be issued).
2. If zoning approval is required, apply to the Zoning Office first at westerlyri.gov/327/Zoning.
3. Create account or log in at westerlyri.portal.opengov.com.
4. Select permit type (building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, demolition).
5. Complete application and upload required documents (site plan, construction drawings, contractor registration, trade license).
6. Pay fees including $10.00 e-permit application fee plus applicable permit fees; note that online payments include a third-party processing fee.
7. Building Official reviews application and plans.
8. Permit issued upon approval; download/print permit.
9. Post permit on site during construction.
10. Schedule inspections; electrical and plumbing inspections done daily.
11. Certificate of Occupancy issued after final inspection; additional CO inspections (beyond the first) cost $50.00 each.

Source: Building Office (within Development Services Department)

General Requirements

All new construction, additions, alterations, demolitions, pools (24 inches or more of water depth), deck replacements (regardless of size), garages, sheds, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and similar work.

Required Documents

• Completed application
• Site plan
• Construction drawings
• Contractor registration
• Trade licenses
• Zoning approval (where applicable)
• Payment

Permit validity

Permits expire if work is not commenced within 180 days of issuance or suspended for 180 consecutive days.

Building code

Rhode Island State Building Code (2018 IBC/IRC with RI amendments); 2020 NEC; 2024 IECC effective February 15, 2025.

Owner-builder

Owner/occupant of single-family dwelling may pull own permits per RI General Law 23-27.3-113.3.2.

Contractor requirements

RI contractor registration required; trade licenses for electrical, plumbing, mechanical.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$10.00 e-permit application fee

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based per RI statewide regulation 510-RICR-00-00-21; state levy fees: residential 0.2% (0.002) of material and labor costs, capped at $100.00; commercial 0.1% (0.001) of material and labor costs, no cap.

Reinspection fee

Additional Certificate of Occupancy inspections (beyond first): $50.00 each; late filing fee: $100.00 for projects valued up to $10,000; for projects valued over $10,000 the maximum late filing fee is $500.00 or one-half the permit fee, whichever is greater.

Payment note

All permits paid online include a third-party processing fee in addition to permit fees; $10.00 e-permit application fee applies to all permits.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Flooring replacements (tile, hardwood, vinyl, laminate)
• One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 200 square feet
• Fences not over 6 feet high
• Retaining walls not over 32 inches
• Ordinary repairs not involving code violations
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
• Replacement window sash installations
• Clearing stoppages or repairing leaks in plumbing without rearrangement
• Portable heating, ventilation, and cooling appliances
• Lamp, receptacle, device, or fixture replacements at permanently installed receptacles

Important: Pools (24 inches or more of water) require permits; deck replacements require permits regardless of size.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (401) 348-2547 (phone)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Time windows

Electrical and plumbing inspections done daily.

Typical inspection sequence: Foundation; framing; rough trades (electrical, plumbing, mechanical); insulation; final building; final trades; Certificate of Occupancy.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Rhode Island State Building Code (2018 IBC/IRC with RI amendments); 2020 NEC; 2024 IECC effective February 15, 2025.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Development Services Overview
• Application Forms
• Building Department FAQs
• RI Building Code Commission
• License lookup guide: Rhode Island Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Rhode Island Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Rhode Island hub: Rhode Island Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of Westerly Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of Westerly, RI?

All new construction, additions, alterations, demolitions, pools (24 inches or more of water depth), deck replacements (regardless of size), garages, sheds, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and similar work.

How much does a building permit cost in Town of Westerly, RI?

The minimum permit fee is $10.00 e-permit application fee. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based per RI statewide regulation 510-RICR-00-00-21; state levy fees: residential 0.2% (0.002) of material and labor costs, capped at $100.00; commercial 0.1% (0.001) of material and labor costs, no cap..

How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Westerly, RI?

1. Determine whether work requires a building permit and whether zoning approval is also required (single-family dwellings, garages, decks, sheds, and pools require zoning approval before building permit can be issued). 2. If zoning approval is required, apply to the Zoning Office first at westerlyri.gov/327/Zoning. 3. Create account or log in at westerlyri.portal.opengov.com. 4. Select permit type (building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, demolition). 5. Complete application and upload required documents (site plan, construction drawings, contractor registration, trade license). 6. Pay fees including $10.00 e-permit application fee plus applicable permit fees; note that online payments include a third-party processing fee. 7. Building Official reviews application and plans. 8. Permit issued upon approval; download/print permit. 9. Post permit on site during construction. 10. Schedule inspections; electrical and plumbing inspections done daily. 11. Certificate of Occupancy issued after final inspection; additional CO inspections (beyond the first) cost $50.00 each.

What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Westerly, RI?

The following work is generally exempt: Flooring replacements (tile, hardwood, vinyl, laminate); One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 200 square feet; Fences not over 6 feet high; Retaining walls not over 32 inches; Ordinary repairs not involving code violations; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Replacement window sash installations; Clearing stoppages or repairing leaks in plumbing without rearrangement; Portable heating, ventilation, and cooling appliances; Lamp, receptacle, device, or fixture replacements at permanently installed receptacles. Note: Pools (24 inches or more of water) require permits; deck replacements require permits regardless of size.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Westerly, RI?

Inspections can be scheduled via: (401) 348-2547.

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