Establishment of zoning districts

For the purpose of this chapter, the City is divided into zoning districts designated and described as follows:

• A. Residential Limited RL. This zone is intended to establish low-density single-household dwelling areas.
• B. Residential Single-Family RS. This zone is intended to establish single-household dwellings where such single-household dwellings now prevail.
• C. Residential Two-Family RT. This zone is intended for neighborhoods consisting of interspersed one- and two-family dwellings.
• D. Residential Multifamily RM. This zone is intended to continue single-household and multihousehold dwellings of specified density and building height in those areas where such development is prevalent.
• E. Residential Elevator RE. This zone is intended to establish high-density residential structures around the downtown area.
• F. Riverfront districts:
  • (1) Riverfront Public Open RD1. The purpose of the RD1 Riverfront Public Open District is to promote and preserve public spaces, including parks, riverwalks and public amenities along the riverfront.

    [Amended 12-19-2003 by Ch. No. 2709]

  • (2) Riverfront Industrial RD2. The purpose of the RD2 Riverfront Industrial Zoning District is to preserve existing industrial uses that are compatible with uses along the river in a manner that protects the river from industrial discharge, including stormwater runoff from large expanses of impervious paving.

    [Added 12-19-2003 by Ch. No. 2709]

  • (3) Riverfront Mixed-Use RD3. The purpose of the RD3 Riverfront Mixed-Use Zoning District is to promote a mix of residential, commercial and light industrial uses that are compatible with uses along the river, including housing and commercial buildings; preserve and adaptively reuse existing mill-type structures; promote variations in the siting of structures and amenities; and to enhance view corridors to the river.

    [Added 12-19-2003 by Ch. No. 2709]

• G. Commercial Local CL. This zone is intended for neighborhood commercial areas that primarily serve local neighborhood needs for convenience retail services and professional office establishments.
• H. Commercial General CG. This zone is intended for commercial areas that serve City-wide needs for retail, services and professional office establishments.
• I. Commercial Downtown CD. This zone is intended to enhance and restore the downtown area.
• J. Industrial Open MO. This zone is intended for light industrial uses that accommodate a variety of manufacturing, assembly, storage of durable goods and related activities.
• K. Industrial Built-Up MB. This zone is intended for existing high-density industrial structures that are used for manufacturing and storage purposes.
• L. Public Open PO. This zone is intended to preserve open space recreation use and, in certain instances, public education uses.
• M. Public Cemetery PC. This zone is intended to retain cemetery land for its designated purposes.
• N. Overlay zoning districts. These are districts that are superimposed on existing zoning districts or part of a district and which impose specified requirements in addition to, but not less than, those otherwise applicable and/or allow alternate uses.
  • (1) Historic Districts. These overlay zoning districts are designated in accordance with Title 45, Chapter 24.1, of the General Laws of Rhode Island, as amended, which declares the preservation of structures of historic or architectural value to be a public purpose and authorizes the creation of the Historic District Commission (HDC) for that purpose in the City of Pawtucket.
  • (2) Flood Hazard Districts. The Flood Hazard District includes all special flood hazard areas: Zone A, A1-30, AE and Zone V, V1-30, VE on the City of Pawtucket Flood Rate Maps (FIRM) and the Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps dated March 2, 2009, which are on file with the Division of Zoning and Code Enforcement. The FIRM and Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps may from time to time be updated or amended by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and these updates and amendments shall be automatically incorporated into this chapter. These maps, as well as the accompanying Pawtucket Rhode Island Flood Insurance Study, are incorporated herein by reference.

    [Amended 2-25-2010 by Ch. No. 2934]

  • (3) Mill Building Reuse District (MBRD). The Mill Building Reuse District (MBRD) creates a zoning overlay district within the MB and MO Zones on sites containing obsolete or underutilized manufacturing and/or industrial buildings. The MBRD designation allows the development of such sites according to a master plan for mixed use. All such reuse developments shall be done in accordance with Article VA of the chapter.

    [Added 8-21-2008 by Ch. No. 2896]

• O. Riverfront Commons District RCD. The purpose of the Riverfront Commons District RCD is to encourage use and development of previously developed buildings, land, and/or sites by promoting flexibility in use and design being cognizant of its proximity to the Blackstone River.

  [Added 8-9-2012 by Ch. No. 3007]

• P. Commercial Mixed Use (CMU). The purpose of the Commercial Mixed Use District is to encourage more active use and redevelopment of oversized multitenant commercial properties by promoting more flexibility of uses and design that is well suited for active economic activity along Newport Avenue.

  [Added 5-10-2018 by Ch. No. 3154]

• Q. Conant Thread (CT). The purpose of the Conant Thread District is to promote active reuse of historic mill structures located in close proximity to the Pawtucket - Central Falls Commuter Rail Station, and to encourage new development that is complementary of the unique existing character of the district. The primary goal of the district is diverse residential and job creation opportunities that may capitalize on easy access to multiple forms of public transportation, often referred to as transit-oriented development (TOD). The continuation of various light manufacturing uses is promoted in this district, provided that they are of scale, nature, and intensity that are consistent with the active mixed-use vision for this district.

  [Added 5-23-2019 by Ch. No. 3194]

• R. Riverfront Tidewater (RTW). The purpose of the Riverfront Tidewater District is to encourage cohesive mixed-use development of vacant parcels in proximity to the Blackstone and Seekonk Rivers that provides high-quality amenities for both residents and visitors, contributes to positive economic development, improves multimodal connections to downtown Pawtucket, and enhances public access to, and viewsheds of, the riverfront area.

  [Added 2-25-2021 by Ch. No. 3237]