Description:

Building Inspection Department includes:    
1) Building Inspectors
2) Minimum Housing Department
3) Zoning Department (Zoning Board of Review)
4) Building Board of Review  

Major Responsibilities:

According to Article 8-7 of the Warwick City Charter, "there shall be a department of building inspection the head of which shall be a building inspector appointed by the mayor and [who] shall serve at the pleasure of the mayor, who shall be responsible for building, plumbing and electrical inspection, unless otherwise assigned by the mayor and who shall have general experience in the field of construction of buildings. All other inspection and licensing services of whatever nature, unless otherwise assigned by ordinance or this Charter shall be in the department of building inspection."

The responsibilities of the Building Inspection Department include:

• The Building Dept. enforces the State of Rhode Island Building Code and the City of Warwick Zoning laws.
• The department issues building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits for new construction as well as permits for alterations/repairs to existing structures. 
• Reviews complaints for building code and zoning violations.
• Gives information regarding zoning, building codes and flood zones.
• The Minimum Housing Department inspects buildings for compliance with the City of Warwick Minimum Housing Ordinance – to make sure private properties are kept to a minimum standard.
• The Zoning Department 1) receives applications for appeals before the Zoning Board of Review;  2)  Issues zoning certificates for a legal use of a property. 
• The Building Department receives applications for the Building Board of Review for appeals to the State Building Code.  

Committee, Boards, Commissions:

• The Zoning Board of Review meets every second Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers (subject to change)   
• The Building Board of Review meets every third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the  Conference Room on the second floor of the Annex Building (subject to change)                         

Online Application Forms

NOTE: In order to view the following documents, Adobe Reader is required. If your computer does not have Adobe available, please click the button below to download your free version.

ATTENTION: THE FOLLOWING FORMS HAVE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON BOTH SIDES. PLEASE PRINT THE FRONT AND BACK ON A SINGLE SHEET OF PAPER, COMPLETE AND SIGN THE REQUIRED FIELDS, AND MAIL THE ORIGINAL. EMAILED OR INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Checklists:

Before beginning your application process, it is highly recommended that you download and follow our convenient checklists so that your permit process will not be confronted with any unnecessary delays.

• Building Permit Checklist for Residential Structures
  
• Building Permit Checklist for Commercial Structures

Additional Forms:

• Building Permit Application
  
• Electrical Permit Application
  
• Mechanical Permit Application
  
• Plumbing Permit Application
• Building Board of Appeals Application
  

Relevant Legislation and Links:

• State of Rhode Island Building Code
  
• City of Warwick Zoning laws
  
• RI Contractors Registration Board