Title 45
Towns and Cities

Chapter 53
Low and Moderate Income Housing

§ 45-53-16. Electronic permitting.

(a) On or before October 1, 2025, every municipality in the state shall adopt and implement electronic permitting for all development applications under this chapter. For purposes of this section, “electronic permitting” means use of computer-based tools and services that automate and streamline the application process to include, but not be limited to, task-specific tools for: applications; submission of plans; completed checklists and checklist documents; reports; plan review; permitting; scheduling; project tracking; staff and technical review committee comments; fee calculation and collection.

(b) The state building commissioner, with the assistance of the office of regulatory reform and the division of statewide planning, pursuant to the provisions of § 23-27.3-108.2 may promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this section.

(c) The local towns and cities shall charge each applicant an additional one-tenth of one percent (.001%) of the total application fee for each application submitted. This additional amount shall be transmitted monthly to the state building office at the department of business regulation, and shall be used to staff and support the purchase or lease and operation of one web-accessible service and/or system to be utilized by the state and municipalities for the uniform, statewide electronic submission, review and processing of development applications as set forth in this section.

(d) On or before October 1, 2025, notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, all acts, requirements, filings, and documents necessary to comply with the application process shall be conducted by means of electronic permitting.

(e) The department of business regulation shall reimburse annual fees and costs associated with compliance with this program in accordance with procedures established by the department.