Kent County has 5 municipalities: Warwick, Coventry, West Warwick, East Greenwich and West Greenwich. By the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimates the largest are Warwick (84187), Coventry (36281), West Warwick (31487) and East Greenwich (14790). Each has its own building department on the statewide e-permitting portal.
This guide covers the building offices of the four largest municipalities and the state septic and highway permits.
What requires a building permit in Kent County?
Kent County has no county building office. The State Building Code sets what needs a permit across Rhode Island, and the permit is filed with the building department of the city or town where the work is.
Rhode Island has one state building code, kept by the State Building Code Office and enforced by each city or town’s building official; there is no county layer, and appeals go first to the town’s board of appeals, then to the state Building Code Board of Standards and Appeals. Rhode Island rules
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Get a free quote →Who handles permitting in Kent County?
| Town | Building office | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Warwick | Building Department, Sawtooth Annex Building 2nd Floor, 65 Centerville Road | (401) 738-2007; Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm |
| Coventry | Building Official’s Office, 1675 Flat River Road | (401) 822-9156 |
| West Warwick | Building Department, 1170 Main Street | (401) 822-9222; Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30 |
| East Greenwich | Building Department, 111 Peirce Street, Lower Level | 401-886-8618 |
On the statewide portal since: Warwick 01/25/2017, Coventry 11/30/2020, West Warwick 10/17/2016, East Greenwich 06/11/2018.
Two state offices often come up alongside the town permit: septic (OWTS) permits come from the RI Department of Environmental Management, 235 Promenade Street, Providence (401-222-4700), which says new construction or alteration applications typically take 3 weeks to review and repairs 1-2 weeks; and driveways, drainage or other work in a state highway right-of-way need a RIDOT Physical Alteration Permit.
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Get a free quote →How each Kent County town handles permits
Warwick
The Building Department also covers zoning (Zoning Board of Review) and the Building Board of Review.
Coventry
Paper permits are no longer accepted; a kiosk in the building inspector’s office helps applicants file online.
West Warwick
All permits are applied for and paid online, from home or at a kiosk at the Building Office. No permit is issued while the applicant, the property or the owner owes taxes to the Town, until the Tax Collector authorizes it. Working without a permit can bring a $250 fine, and a Route Slip is used for all new construction.
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Call 1-855-478-4290 →How to get a building permit in Kent County
Warwick, Coventry, West Warwick, East Greenwich or West Greenwich.
No permit until the Tax Collector authorizes it if taxes are owed.
All four larger towns take applications on the statewide portal; Coventry and West Warwick have kiosks.
DEM for septic, RIDOT for work in a state highway right-of-way.
By phone in Warwick, through the portal in Coventry.
Inspections in Kent County
Warwick inspections are scheduled by phone at 401-738-2007, ext. 1. Coventry schedules building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing inspections through the online portal, with plumbing and electrical inspections on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Official Kent County permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
Rather not deal with the Kent County building department?
Get a free quote →- Warwick Building Department
- Coventry Building Official
- West Warwick Building and Zoning
- RI municipal building department directory
- RI DEM septic (OWTS) permits
Frequently asked questions
Does Kent County issue building permits?
No. Each of its 5 municipalities has its own building department.
Can I file a paper permit in Coventry?
No. Paper permits are no longer accepted; there is a kiosk in the building inspector’s office.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →What happens if taxes are owed in West Warwick?
No permit is issued until the Tax Collector authorizes it.
Simplify Kent County permitting with Alliance Permitting
- Confirm the city or town building department for the parcel and its sign-offs
- File the application on the statewide e-permitting portal with the town’s required documents
- Coordinate DEM septic and RIDOT driveway permits and book inspections the way the town requires
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Rhode Island. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.
Ready to break ground in Kent County sooner?
Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your Kent County permits while your crew stays on the job.
More Rhode Island permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Kent County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.