Landlord-Tenant Law in Washington County, Rhode Island
Washington County — commonly called “South County” by Rhode Islanders — is the state’s southernmost county, encompassing the coastal communities of Narragansett, South Kingstown, Westerly, and Charlestown along with the University of Rhode Island campus in Kingston. The county’s rental market is defined by two distinct forces: a seasonal beach economy that drives intense short-term rental demand along the coast from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and a year-round residential market anchored by the University of Rhode Island, South County Hospital, and the region’s growing remote-worker and retiree population.
All landlord-tenant matters in Washington County are governed by RIGL Chapter 34-18. Eviction actions are filed in Rhode Island District Court. There is no rent control and no county-level ordinances beyond state law. Short-term vacation rentals are subject to Rhode Island’s hotel tax and local municipal licensing requirements — not the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.
County-specific rules that add to or modify Rhode Island state law
Category
Details
Rental Licensing / Registration
Rhode Island statewide mandatory rental registry (RIGL § 34-18-58) applies. Absentee landlords must register with the RI Secretary of State and designate a local agent (§ 34-18-57). Westerly and Narragansett may have additional STR licensing requirements — verify with each municipality before operating vacation rentals.
Short-Term Rental Note
Washington County’s coastal communities (Narragansett, Charlestown, Westerly, South Kingstown beaches) have significant short-term vacation rental markets. STRs are governed by Rhode Island’s hotel/lodging tax and local municipal licensing — NOT the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. Confirm current STR licensing with each municipality before listing.
Rent Control
None. No rent control anywhere in Rhode Island.
Habitability Requirements
RIGL § 34-18-22 statewide standards apply. Coastal properties face accelerated weathering — budget for salt air maintenance of windows, HVAC, and exterior systems.
Court Filing Notes
Evictions filed in Rhode Island District Court. Typical timeline: 30–60 days for uncontested cases.
Application Fees
Capped at $50 or actual background check cost, whichever is less (RIGL § 34-18-59).
Additional Ordinances
No just-cause eviction requirement. No rent control. Convenience fees prohibited statewide (§ 34-18-61). Immigration status inquiries prohibited (§ 34-18-62).
State statutes, notice requirements, and landlord rights that apply in Washington County
⚡ Quick Overview
5 (but rent must be 15+ days in arrears before notice can be sent)
Days Notice (Nonpayment)
20 (most violations); no notice for § 34-18-24(8)(9)(10) violations or seasonal noise/overcrowding
Days Notice (Violation)
30-60
Avg Total Days
$$80
Filing Fee (Approx)
💰 Nonpayment of Rent
Notice Type5-Day Demand Notice for Nonpayment of Rent
Notice Period5 (but rent must be 15+ days in arrears before notice can be sent) days
Tenant Can Cure?Yes - tenant can pay all rent within 5 days; also can cure by paying rent + court costs at hearing if no demand notice in prior 6 months
Days to Hearing14-24 (hearing set 14-24 days after complaint filed) days
Days to Writ6 days after judgment (writ of execution issued) days
Total Estimated Timeline30-60 days
Total Estimated Cost$150-400
⚠️ Watch Out
CRITICAL: Rent must be 15+ days in arrears before 5-day demand notice can be sent (§ 34-18-35(a)). So minimum 20 days from due date before filing. Notice must use substantially similar form to § 34-18-56(a) and specify exact amount 15+ days in arrears. Tenant can cure before suit by paying full rent. IMPORTANT PAY-AND-STAY: If tenant hasn't received a demand notice in prior 6 months, tenant can cure at hearing by paying all rent + court costs. If tenant DID receive demand notice in prior 6 months and nonpayment was willful, landlord can recover attorney fees. Hearing 14-24 days after filing. Tenant can answer at or before hearing (nonpayment). Writ of execution issued 6 days after judgment. 5-day appeal period. On appeal: must continue paying rent on time or appeal dismissed.
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the District Court or Housing Court - Eviction for Nonpayment of Rent (RIGL § 34-18-35). Pay the filing fee (~$$80).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Rhode Island eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Rhode Island attorney or local legal aid organization.
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⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Washington County (“South County”) is Rhode Island’s coastal playground — a split market of beach-driven seasonal demand along the shore and year-round residential demand anchored by URI and South County Hospital. Clean state law with no local complications, but STR rules vary by municipality along the coast.
Washington County
Screen Before You Sign
Coastal and university-adjacent markets require income verification tailored to the submarket — seasonal income near the beach, student/parental guarantors near URI. Run RI District Court eviction checks and confirm statewide registry compliance. Application fees capped at $50 statewide.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Washington County, Rhode Island
Washington County is known throughout Rhode Island simply as “South County” — a name that captures both its geography and its character. The county’s coastal communities stretch along Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic shoreline from Narragansett south through Charlestown and Westerly to the Connecticut border, and its inland communities anchor around the University of Rhode Island campus in Kingston and the agricultural and residential towns of the county’s interior. The result is a rental market that requires landlords to think in two distinct registers: the seasonal coastal economy and the year-round residential market.
The Coastal Rental Market
Narragansett, the coastal section of South Kingstown (including Matunuck and Green Hill Beach), Charlestown, and Westerly’s Watch Hill are Rhode Island’s premier beach communities. Year-round residential tenants in these markets are relatively scarce compared to the seasonal demand — healthcare workers from South County Hospital, remote professionals who relocated for lifestyle reasons, and retirees account for most of the year-round residential tenant pool. Rents for year-round units near the beach run $1,400–$2,000 for well-maintained properties.
Short-term vacation rentals represent a substantial portion of the housing market in Narragansett and Charlestown during summer months. It is critical to understand that STRs in these communities are governed by Rhode Island’s hotel accommodation tax and local municipal licensing requirements — not the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. A landlord operating what is functionally an STR business cannot rely on RLTA procedures to remove guests, and the local licensing landscape varies by municipality. Confirm current licensing requirements in each municipality before listing any property as an STR.
South Kingstown and the URI Market
South Kingstown is Washington County’s largest community by area and home to the University of Rhode Island, which enrolls approximately 16,000 students. The university creates a student rental market in Kingston and the surrounding areas that is substantial by Rhode Island standards — though smaller than the Brown/RISD market in Providence. Student rentals near URI run on academic-year cycles, typically carry parental co-signers, and require disciplined move-out inspection and security deposit accounting to recover end-of-tenancy wear.
Rhode Island Law in Washington County
Washington County landlords operate under RIGL Chapter 34-18 with no local variations. The 15-day nonpayment notice, 30-day month-to-month termination notice, 20-day security deposit return requirement, and statewide rental registry obligations all apply uniformly. The convenience fee prohibition (§ 34-18-61) means you cannot charge tenants for paying rent by check, ACH, or online portal. The immigration status inquiry prohibition (§ 34-18-62) applies statewide regardless of neighborhood or property type.
Washington County landlord-tenant matters are governed by RIGL Chapter 34-18. Security deposit cap: 1 month’s rent; interest-bearing RI bank; return within 20 days; double damages for wrongful withholding. Nonpayment notice: 15 days. Month-to-month termination: 30 days. Entry notice: 2 days. Application fee cap: $50. STRs are governed by local licensing and RI lodging tax law, not RLTA. Last updated: April 2026.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in Washington County, Rhode Island and is not legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always verify current requirements with a licensed Rhode Island attorney before taking legal action. Last updated: April 2026.
