Building permits in Providence, RI
Permits for Providence are issued by City of Providence, Department of Inspection & Standards. Applications go through the portal below.
Checked against the department's own page on 6 Sep 2026
Where to file
- Department
- City of Providence, Department of Inspection & Standards
- Phone
- 401-680-5375
- Portal
- providenceri.portal.opengov.com
ViewPoint Cloud / OpenGov portal. 780 Allens Ave. Inspections 401-680-5201. Relocated to 780 Allens Ave as of December 2025.
What each job needs in Providence
Typical requirements and fee ranges. Fees scale with project valuation, so treat these as a starting point and confirm the number with City of Providence before you quote.
| Project | Permits | Typical fee | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Remodel | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC) | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| Addition | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC) | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| New Construction | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC), Site / Grading | $500–3,000+ (scaled to valuation; plan review separate) | 10–15 business days |
| Electrical | Electrical | $50–250 | 3–5 business days |
| Plumbing | Plumbing | $50–200 | 3–5 business days |
| HVAC / Mechanical | Mechanical (HVAC) | $50–250 | 3–5 business days |
| Roofing | Roofing | $100–400 | 1–5 business days |
| Deck / Fence | Building | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| Demolition | Demolition | $50–400 | 5–10 business days |
| Commercial Build-Out | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC), Fire / Life-Safety Review | $300–2,000+ (scaled to valuation; plan review separate) | 10–15 business days |
Licensing in Rhode Island
All contractors and subcontractors doing residential or commercial construction, remodeling, or repair must register with the CRLB (general-liability insurance naming the board required).
Issued by Rhode Island Contractors' Registration & Licensing Board (CRLB) · Verify a licence
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Department, portal and phone checked against the official page on 6 Sep 2026. Fee ranges and turnaround times are typical for this kind of work and are not quotes. Requirements change, so confirm with the department before you file. SQM.AI is not a law firm and this page is not legal advice.