09/04/2025
We were honored to speak up for our clients and all residents of East Providence on Tuesday when attending the East Providence City Council meeting where an ordinance was being considered that would affect the development of accessory dwelling units.
In prior meetings with officials at City Hall, we have strongly advocated for either a new ordinance that would reduce the restrictions on building NEW DETACHED accessory dwelling units in the city. This could have meant formalizing the two-step permitting process being used by a majority of RI municipalities, where a detached structure is first built, and then converted into the ADU. Or, similar to Providence and Barrington, we were in support of eliminating the minimum lot size requirement for new detached ADUs and additions altogether.
Our view is that the production of ADUs is already limited by existing zoning regulations such as lot coverage, set backs, parking, pervious surface coverage, etc. If a lot is too small, or is already too covered with structures, or they don't have the set backs required, then a new detached ADU cannot be built.
In addition, not every property owner is going to 1) need or want a detached ADU on their lot, and 2) be able to afford the design/construction costs.
But, by restricting new detached ADUs or additions to lots with 20,000 sq ft, the city would be restricting the production of housing, when the state goals and the local comprehensive plan goals emphasize the importance of increasing housing production. There simply aren't that many lots that are 20,000 sq ft, and where do you draw the line to exclude some homeowners and not others. Should a line be drawn at all?
The City Council fortunately saw the importance of reducing the lot size requirement, and came up with the idea to cut it from 20,000 to 7,500 sq ft. But that still would have restricted owners of lots under 7,500 sq ft from having the freedom to take care of their family, choose their own living situations, or generate much needed income from adding a rentable unit to the market.
Why not 7,000 sq ft? Why not 8,000 sq ft? The line drawn in the sand is arbitrary, at best. The fear is a mass production of ADUs and clogged, over populated neighborhoods. But as outlined above, that can't actually happen. If a homeowner can legally fit a garage on their property, they should be able to use that garage to house a family member or a tenant, regardless of lot size. If they can't fit a structure within existing setback and lot coverage requirements, then they can't build it anyway. There is no need for additional restrictions.
At the meeting Tuesday, Blue ADU co-founder Christian Scully presented our view and argument to the City Council members, initiating a healthy discussion and debate over further reducing the lot size minimum for new detached ADUs. The conversation struck a chord with some of the council members and a motion was put forward to further reduce the lot size minimum to 5,000 sq ft. They voted, the change passed, and Mayor Bob has officially signed it!
Homeowners with lots of 5,000 sq ft to 7,500 sq ft can now ALSO share in the opportunity to build a new detached ADU on their property, if it meets other zoning requirements and building/fire code. To be clear, EP residents with lots 5,000 sq ft or larger can now build a legal new detached ADU or attached addition, if it meets zoning regulations, building and fire code. If there is a lot smaller than 5,000 sq ft, the path forward would be a zoning variance. Blue ADU offers a Free Property Analysis at www.blue-adu.com to help property owners determine their available options, the request only takes a few minutes.
To be clear, this was a great result and an awesome start. But we won't stop advocating for further reducing this lot size minimum, and will continue to encourage officials in EP and statewide to make this opportunity available for more families. State law is being interpreted differently throughout RI, which is making it difficult for homeowners to navigate. We are in communication with every single municipality in RI regarding ADUs and are doing everything we can to clarify regulations, procedures and provide helpful, accurate information to our customers.
Thank you to the EP City Council members for choosing to increase housing freedom and help more EP residents take care of their families.
