Department of Planning, Zoning, Development and Inspection

The mission of the Department of Planning, Zoning, Development, and Inspections is to plan for orderly growth and development, ensure compliance with construction, zoning and nuisance codes and to protect public health, safety and welfare within the community. The Department serves as a one-stop shop for land development review and regulations for building, housing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, zoning (certificates, variances, special uses and historic), subdivisions, site plans and development plan proposals within the City of Newport.

In addition, the Department is responsible for community development housing small business loans, Community Development Block Grants and large scale redevelopment projects such as the North End and Chafee Boulevard. The Department coordinates with five review boards including the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Review, Historic District Commission, Building Code Appeals Board and the Critical Area Review Board as a part of the overall development approval process.

Please use the navigation bar on the left side of this page in order to link to the relevant division. The office web site is full of time-saving information, forms, and applications. Please see "Projects" for a description of some past and current efforts. The Department of Planning, Zoning, Development, and Inspection is committed to serving the citizens of the City of Newport.

COMMUNITY PROFILE - 10/17/2003

"IN THE NEWS"

City Acquires Land from RIDOT for Redevelopment

The PZD& I Department has previously identified Newport’s waterfront as a key land and water area needing more detailed planning. As a result, it has partnered with the American Institute of Architects and the University of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Center to address priorities. Two charette meetings were held in the fall of 2007 at the International Yacht Restoration School to gather public comments.

The findings of these sessions were presented to the City Council. A summary of the meetings and outlined priorities can be found here. Grant funds have been sought and allocated towards this effort. The Department is hopeful that language from this process can be developed and added to the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance in the future.

City Receives APA Award for North End Development Project

The City has received an award from the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Planning Association in the category of Outstanding Plan Implementation, for the redevelopment of the former Connell Manor Navy housing. This area, now known as John H. Chafee Boulevard, is home to the Newport campus of the Community College of Rhode Island, a Head Start Child Care facility, and will soon be the location of a new corporate headquarters complex for BankNewport.

The award nomination and accompanying presentation can be viewed by following these links.