[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Charlestown 2-13-1984
as Ch. 133. Sections 167-10 and 167-12 amended at time of adoption of Code;
see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I. Other amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter shall be to protect the public health, safety
and welfare by establishing regulations and standards controlling the operation
of rooming houses and boardinghouses in the Town of Charlestown.
No person shall operate a rooming house or boardinghouse or shall occupy
or let to another for operation or occupancy any rooming house or boardinghouse
in the Town of Charlestown without first obtaining a permit for such purpose
from the Town Council of the Town of Charlestown.
[Amended 4-13-1987 by Ch. 157]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
A rooming house in which table-board is furnished.
Any dwelling containing rooming units in which space is furnished
to persons who are not members of the resident family for a valuable consideration.
Any room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit used or
intended to be used for living and sleeping but not for cooking and eating
purposes.
[Amended 4-13-1987 by Ch. 157]
A licensed tavern or victualing establishment is excluded from coverage
under this chapter.
The provisions of Chapter 45-24.3 of the General Laws of Rhode Island
with respect to the responsibilities of owners and occupants; minimum standards
for basic equipment and facilities, light and ventilation, heating, safe and
sanitary maintenance and adequate dwelling space; and other relevant provisions
of the General Laws are incorporated by reference as part of this chapter
and shall be complied with.
Before any boardinghouse or rooming house permit shall be granted, application
therefor shall be made in writing and filed with the Town Clerk of the Town
of Charlestown, setting forth with definiteness a description of the premises
intended to be used as a rooming house or boardinghouse. Upon the filing of
the application, the Town Clerk shall notify the Chief of Police and the Building
Inspector, and they shall each make an independent investigation concerning
every applicant and the premises described. They shall report thereon to the
Town Council at the next meeting of the Council held after the filing of the
application. Upon their favorable recommendation, the Town Council shall consider
the permit requested.
[Amended 6-28-1993 by Ord. No. 192]
Every permit granted by the Town Council shall expire on December 31 next after the date of issuance and shall not be renewed or renewable until a new application is made and investigated as set forth in § 167-6.
Every operator or keeper of a rooming house or boardinghouse, upon being
granted a permit, shall keep a true and accurate register of all roomers or
boarders using or occupying the premises under the permit. The register shall
show the name of each guest and his/her date of arrival and departure. The
register shall at all reasonable times be open to the inspection of any police
officer of the Town of Charlestown.
Every permitted rooming house or boardinghouse shall, at all reasonable
times, be open for inspection by any police officer, the Health Officer and
the Building Inspector of the Town of Charlestown.
[Amended 6-12-1989 by Ch. 171]
The fee for the granting of every permit shall be as set by ordinance
by the Town Council and payable to the Town Clerk upon issuance of the permit.
Violations shall be prosecuted by the Chief of Police of the Town of
Charlestown by issuance of a summons in the District Court.
Any person who shall violate any provision of this chapter shall, upon
conviction thereof, be punished, for each violation, by a fine of not more
than five hundred dollars ($500.) or by imprisonment for not more than thirty
(30) days. The continuation of a violation of any provision of this chapter
shall constitute, for each day the violation is continued, a separate and
distinct violation hereunder.
