Judge Strikes Down Narragansett Limiting Off-Camp Housing For Students

NARRAGANSETT, RI — A Rhode Island Superior Court Judge last week struck down a town ordinance limiting rentals in town to three students.

In August 2021, the Narragansett Town Council voted 3-2 to limit the number of University of Rhode Island (URI) students living off-campus in town. Many residents argued college students living in town are noisy and don't mesh with Narragansett's family neighborhoods. Others said the ordinance is necessary to address a declining year-round population in town.

But students said the ordinance limits housing options for students and makes rent unaffordable. Local landlords also spoke out against the ordinance, arguing it denied their right to make a profit. This included, Narragansett 2100, a group of about 350 landlords and property owners who took the town to court over the ordinance.

Judge Sarah Taft-Carter on Wednesday ruled in favor of the landlords, saying the town illegally adopted the ordinance without the Planning Board vetting it to make sure it's consistent with local zoning rules, the Providence Journal reported.

Narragansett Town Solicitor James Callaghan told the Providence Journal the newly elected Town Council will have to decide whether to appeal Taft-Carter's ruling, start the process over with the same ordinance or draft a new one.

"With the election, they will have to reconvene once the new council is sworn in and come to a decision," Callaghan told the Providence Journal.