Skip to content

Rhode Island State Laws

  • 4 min read

Rhode Island Community Association Laws

Condominiums (Ch. 34-36.1 / legacy 34-36), Cooperative Housing Corps (Ch. 7-6.1), Mobile/Manufactured Home Parks (Ch. 31-44), corporate law (Ch. 7-6), real estate licensing (Ch. 5-20.5). Reference hub

Rhode Island takes a lean, statute-first approach. Most day-to-day governance happens under the Condominium Law (34-36.1) for post-1982 communities (with older condos still under the 1963 Act, 34-36), while single-family “HOAs” often rely on their declarations plus the Nonprofit Corporation Act (7-6). There’s no condo ombudsman or mandatory ADR program at the state level; enforcement is largely by notice-and-hearing, then courts. Two areas see more state involvement: (1) mobile/manufactured home parks (DBR licensure and tenant protections), and (2) record-keeping/recording—notably 2024’s law requiring condos to record bylaws and rules with local land records.

At a glance

Primary Statutes

Condominium Law — Chapter 34-36.1

Applies to condos created after July 1, 1982; governs association powers, meetings, records, assessments/liens, purchaser protections.

RI Legislature (chapter)

Condominium Ownership Act — Chapter 34-36 (1963)

Legacy framework for older condos; some provisions still relevant where declarations remain under this Act.

RI Title 34 index (chapter listing)

Cooperative Housing Corporations — Chapter 7-6.1

Formation and operation of co-op housing corporations.

RI Legislature (chapter)

Mobile & Manufactured Home Parks — Chapter 31-44

Park licensing, rules, sales, evictions; administered by DBR Commercial Licensing.

RI Legislature (chapter)

Lot-Rent Increases — Chapter 31-44.1

Procedures/standards for lot-rent increases in mobile/manufactured home parks.

RI Legislature (chapter)

Corporate Act (Associations) — Chapter 7-6

Nonprofit corporation formation, directors, meetings, records; commonly used by HOAs/condo associations.

RI Legislature (chapter)

Popular Sections (direct links @ RI Legislature)

Condominium (Ch. 34-36.1)

Mobile/Manufactured (Ch. 31-44, 31-44.1)

Recording & Fair Housing

Administrative Rules & Agencies

Condos / Co-ops

No condo-specific administrative code or state ADR/ombudsman. Follow statutes & governing docs; disputes typically proceed via notice-and-hearing, then courts.

Mobile/Manufactured Parks

Land Records

Use to record & locate condo bylaws/rules (per 2024 law).

Managers / Licensing

Is a CAM license required?

  • No RI-specific “CAM” license.
  • Property management activities for others can require a Real Estate Broker license (Ch. 5-20.5).

Statute — Real Estate (5-20.5)
DBR — Real Estate (licensing)

Helpful credentials (optional)

  • CMCA® (entry certification) — CAMICB
  • CAI designations (e.g., AMS®, PCAM®)

Governing Documents & Overlays

  • Core docs: Declaration/CC&Rs, Bylaws, Rules/Regulations, Plats & Plans, Articles/Nonprofit filings, Board Resolutions.
  • State overlays: Condo Law (34-36.1) or legacy (34-36); Nonprofit (7-6); Mobile/Manufactured (31-44/31-44.1).
  • Fair housing: RI Fair Housing Practices Act (34-37) & federal FHA/ADA; enforcement via RICHR/courts.
  • Federal preemptions: FCC OTARD (antennas) and other federal rules may limit association restrictions.
  • Conflicts: Statutes control over contrary documents; consult counsel on interpretation/enforcement.

State Contacts

DBR — Real Estate (Licensing)

Division page

  • Scope: Licenses brokers/salespersons; investigates licensee conduct.

DBR — Mobile/Manufactured Homes & Parks

Program page

  • Scope: Licenses parks; investigates/adjudicates complaints under Ch. 31-44.

Disclaimer

This page is a general reference and not legal advice. Laws change; verify text on the official sites linked above and consult qualified counsel for your situation.

Last updated: September 10, 2025

Tags: