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.

• Broadway Streetscape & Traffic Calming Improvements Plan MORE

• Summary Response to Public Comments from the October 1, 2009. [PDF]

• Summary Response to Public Comments from Meeting April 26, 2010.. [PDF]

Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update Subcommittee Summer Calendar of Meetings

The Newport Planning Board and PZD&I Department have initiated the City of Newport's Comprehensive Plan Update process. The public is encouraged to attend a public meeting on Thursday, June 4, 2009 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber to express their views and desires for the future Newport Comprehensive Land Use Plan (click here for flyer).

If there are any questions, please contact Paige Bronk, AICP, Director of the PZD&I Department, 845-5450 or Andrew DeIonno, Planner, 845-5472.

Aquidneck Island Special Area Management Plan (SAMP)

The City has been coordinating with the Towns of Middletown and Portsmouth, the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission, the University of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Center and the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) to develop coastal development and land protection regulations that will ultimately be implemented by the CRMC.

Please visit Aquidneck Island SAMP Website for a complete description of this process and for the most up to date status.

Planning Staff Works with URI and AIA on Waterfront Planning Efforts

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.

Monthly Reports