Local fake fire districts who block beach access also need "educating"
“This bill expands upon the work we’ve done to codify shoreline access and educate buyers of shoreline property about the public’s right to access the shore,” said Senator Gu (D-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown).
“While a lot of people in Rhode Island are aware of the
public’s right to access the shoreline, people coming in from other states to
rent or book a short-term rental aren’t necessarily aware of them. This is an
important consumer protection and education measure to ensure that people
renting ocean front real estate understand the public’s right to access the
shoreline.”
Senator Gu sponsored a new law in 2024 that requires similar disclosure to
buyers of shoreline property. This bill (2026-S 2734A) would extend this disclosure to tenants of
shoreline properties, requiring landlords to provide renters with written
shoreline access disclosure before the start of tenancy.
The disclosure would include
the public’s rights and privileges to the shore up to 10 feet above the
recognizable high tide line, requires the landlord to disclose any known rights
of way to the tenant and advise the tenant to contact CRMC to find out if any
public rights of way or permits are tied to the property.
The bill would also require a streamlined disclosure for short-term rentals regarding the public’s rights to access the shoreline that would be clearly displayed in the listing for the rental or provided to the occupant in writing before the beginning of their stay.
The bill now goes to the House, where Rep. Terri Cortvriend
(D-Dist. 72, Portsmouth, Middletown) has introduced similar legislation (2026-H 8110).
