Roofing in Westerly, Rhode Island

Required

The Rhode Island One and Two Family Dwelling Code (RISBC-2, 510-RICR-00-00-2), which "adopts and incorporates as the Rhode Island One & Two-Family Dwelling Code the provisions of the International Residential Code (IRC), 2021 edition," effective December 1, 2025, and which applies "to the construction, alteration, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy and location of detached one-and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three stories in height" (R101.2). The State's adoption says "Chapter 8 is adopted with no changes" and "Chapter 9 is adopted with no changes," so the roof framing, sheathing and roof assembly rules apply as the International Code Council publishes them. The same code applies in every city and town: the State Building Code applies "to all buildings and structures" (R.I. Gen. Laws 23-27.3-101.0), and "the local cities and towns shall be prohibited from enacting any local building codes and ordinances in the future" (23-27.3-100.1.7). A 2026 act requires a newer edition: "The 2024 IRC, including any amendments thereto adopted by the building code standards committee ("BCSC"), shall take effect" for one- to three-family dwellings "not later than January 1, 2027" (P.L. 2026, ch. 377, adding subsection (f) to 23-27.3-100.1.5). Everything above is Rhode Island state law, the same in every city and town. In Westerly the Town's Building Office, which its own page describes as the Town's code enforcement office and the place where all permits are issued, enforces the code.