Fair Housing: Rhode Island

This page is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute, and should not be construed as, legal advice. This page is not intended to provide a mandatory standard of care for the industry. Please consult with local counsel before taking any action based off of the information provided. 

On these pages, you will find information about 1) the protected classes in each state’s fair housing law, 2) protected classes in the cities and counties in the state’s three largest city or metropolitan areas, and 3) protected class information in additional jurisdictions of interest to NAA members. We highlight source of income protections, where applicable, that could substantially impact industry operations. Please see the footnotes. NAA also has resources on the federal fair housing protections that apply nationwide.

We are currently in the process of optimizing NAA’s Fair Housing Protected Class Resources. If you do not see a jurisdiction of interest, please reach out to the NAA Government Affairs Team at [email protected].

Information on this page is current as of September 2022.

There is no County Government in Rhode Island. All powers not exercised by the state are exercised at the municipal level.

Rhode Island Protected Classes

(State of Rhode Island General Laws § 34-37-4)

  • Race

  • Color

  • National Origin

  • Religion

  • Sex

  • Familial Status

  • Disability

  • Sexual Orientation

  • Gender Identity

  • Gender Expression

  • Marital Status

  • Lawful Source of Income1

  • Military Status

  • Veteran Status with Honorable Discharge

  • Age

[1]The term "lawful source of income" means and includes any income, benefit, or subsidy derived from child support; alimony; Social Security; Supplemental Security Income; any other federal, state, or local public assistance program, including, but not limited to, medical or veterans assistance; any federal, state, or local rental assistance or housing subsidy program, including Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers as authorized by 42 U.S.C. § 1437; and any requirement associated with such public assistance, rental assistance, or housing subsidy program. Owner pay reject a lawful source of income, however, if the housing accommodation is three (3) units or less, one of which is occupied by the owner.

There is no County Government in Rhode Island. All powers not exercised by the state are exercised at the municipal level.

(Providence Municipal Code §16-55)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal and state protected classes.

There is no County Government in Rhode Island. All powers not exercised by the state are exercised at the municipal level.

(Cranston Municipal Code § 8.48.050)

In addition to enforcement of federal and state protected classes, this jurisdiction also includes the following protected classes:

  • Non-resident employment laughter (Protections apply to government subsidised housing)

There is no County Government in Rhode Island. All powers not exercised by the state are exercised at the municipal level.

(Warwick Municipal Code)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal and state protected classes.