Providence County has 16 municipalities. By the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimates the largest are Providence (195310), Cranston (84647), Pawtucket (77065) and East Providence (48249). Each has its own building department on the statewide e-permitting portal, and two of them have moved: Providence on December 12 and Cranston on March 23, 2026.
This guide covers the building offices of the four largest cities and the state septic and highway permits.
What requires a building permit in Providence County?
Providence 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 Providence County?
The county’s municipalities are Providence, Cranston, Pawtucket, East Providence, Woonsocket, Cumberland, North Providence, Johnston, Lincoln, Central Falls, Smithfield, Burrillville, North Smithfield, Scituate, Glocester and Foster.
| Town | Building office | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Providence | Department of Inspection and Standards, 780 Allens Avenue | 401.680.5201; Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (to 4:00 p.m. in July and August) |
| Cranston | Building Inspections & Zoning, 155 Gansett Avenue (rear) | 401-780-6012; Monday - Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm |
| Pawtucket | Zoning and Code Enforcement, City Hall, 137 Roosevelt Avenue | (401) 728-0500; 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday thru Friday |
| East Providence | Building Inspection Division, City Hall room 204, 145 Taunton Avenue | (401) 435-7722; Mon - Wed 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Thu to 6 p.m., Fri to 1 p.m. |
On the statewide portal since: Providence 12/22/2016, Cranston 11/29/2016, Pawtucket 11/21/2016, East Providence 12/15/2017.
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 Providence County city handles permits
Providence
The Department of Inspection and Standards moved to 780 Allens Avenue, next to the Department of Public Works. Combination permit applications include Fire Plan Review by the Providence Fire Marshal, or by the State Fire Marshal for state-licensed businesses under its jurisdiction, and a state e-permitting account works on the Providence site.
Cranston
Building Inspections & Zoning moved to 155 Gansett Avenue (rear) as of March 23, 2026. A Building Board of Appeals application is $75.00 for 1+2 Family.
Pawtucket
The Zoning and Code Enforcement Office issues all building, plumbing/mechanical and electrical permits. Call for the fee schedule; work done without a permit carries a $250.00 late fee.
Providence County permit costs and fees
Cranston’s Permit Fees sheet (“In accordance with RI State Law as of July 1, 2026”) charges $20.00 per $1,000 in the lowest valuation band, $200 + $18.00 per $1,000 exceeding $10K, and $920 + $16.00 per $1,000 exceeding $50K; working without a permit costs $500.00 plus the regular fee.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →How to get a building permit in Providence County
One of the 16 cities and towns; use the current office address, as Providence and Cranston have moved.
In Providence, combination applications include Fire Marshal plan review.
All four larger cities are on the statewide portal.
DEM for septic, RIDOT for work in a state highway right-of-way.
Cranston, Pawtucket and Providence use dedicated inspection lines.
Inspections in Providence County
Providence inspections are arranged through the DIS Inspections Coordinator at 401.680.5451. Cranston inspection requests must be phoned in: building 401-780-6011, plumbing and mechanical 401-780-6054, electrical 401-780-6055. Pawtucket lines are 728-0500 Ext. 247 (building), Ext. 346 (electrical/solar) and Ext. 246 (plumbing/mechanical).
Rather not deal with the Providence County building department?
Get a free quote →Official Providence County permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
- Providence online permitting
- Cranston Building Inspection
- Pawtucket Zoning and Code Enforcement
- East Providence Building Inspection
- RI municipal building department directory
- RI DEM septic (OWTS) permits
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Get a free quote →Frequently asked questions
Where is the Providence building department now?
The Department of Inspection and Standards moved on December 12 to 780 Allens Avenue, next to the Department of Public Works.
Where is Cranston’s building office?
Building Inspections & Zoning moved to 155 Gansett Avenue (rear) as of March 23, 2026.
How do I book an inspection in Cranston?
Phone it in: building 401-780-6011, plumbing and mechanical 401-780-6054, electrical 401-780-6055.
Simplify Providence 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.
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Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your Providence 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 Providence County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.