650-RICR-20-00-1
650-RICR-20-00-1. Red Book (version Amendment, 12/11/2006 to 01/18/2011)
Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Program
Adopted Date 11/14/2006
Page 1
Section 300.14
Section 300.14
Maintenance of Structures
A. Definition
1. Maintenance of structures includes rebuilding, reconstructing, repairing or re-establishing to
previously approved conditions and dimensions a damaged or deteriorated structure or facility.
Maintenance includes only those activities that do not significantly alter the assented design, purpose and
size of the structure. Maintenance provisions for marina in-water facilities and residential boating
facilities are found at Section 300.4.E.
B. Policies
1. Persons proposing to maintain dredged channels and mooring areas (Section 300.9) and mosquito
control ditches in coastal wetlands (Section 300.12) are in all cases required to obtain a new Council
Assent.
2. Maintenance of structures and facilities for which a Council Assent has been issued is permitted upon
obtaining a Certification of Maintenance from the Executive Director of the CRMC. This Certification
shall establish that all applicable standards for the construction and operation of the permitted structure or
facility, and any stipulations that were conditioned by the Council's Assent have been met, and are
continued. Further, the Certification of Maintenance may contain additional measures to minimize the
environmental impact of the activity, to promote the restoration of coastal resources, or to otherwise
further the objectives and goals of this program, as may be required by staff recommendations to the
Executive Director, consistent with the standards of the RICRMP.
3. Persons proposing to maintain or repair structural shoreline protection facilities shall do so in a
manner consistent with Section 300.7.G.
4. Persons proposing to maintain previously assented structures (other than piers and docks associated
with marinas) which have physically been destroyed 50 percent or more by storms, waves, or other
natural coastal processes shall, upon the determination of the Executive Director, be required to obtain a
new Council Assent. Such activities requiring a new Council Assent shall be reviewed according to the
most current applicable programmatic requirements of the Coastal Resources Management Program, its
Special Area Management Plans, and/or any other appropriate CRMC-approved management plans.
5. Many structures under Council jurisdiction predate the Council and were not permitted by Council
Assent when originally constructed. Persons proposing maintenance or repair activities on such
structures shall be required to obtain a Certification of Maintenance, meet relevant standards of this
program, or obtain a Council Assent, as determined by the Council's Executive Director.
(A) Persons proposing to (i) demolish structures, (ii) repair structures which have been physically
destroyed 50 percent or more as a result of storm induced flooding, wave, or wind damage, and (iii) repair
structures which have been destroyed 50 percent or more by fire shall be required to submit an
application and meet the current programmatic requirements.
(B) Persons proposing to maintain any structure, including utilities, in or adjacent to Type 4, 5 or 6
waters that predate the Council’s jurisdiction (circa 1971) may be required to perform a fitness for
purpose analysis and certification. Applicants are referred to the Council’s program document Guidelines
for Fitness of Purpose Investigations and Certifications for direction.
6. All activities, except those noted in Section B.5, for which a Certification of Maintenance is
requested, shall have a valid Council Assent.
7. It is the Council's intent to allow for the continued maintenance and viability of marina operations
Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Program
Adopted Date 11/14/2006
Page 2
Section 300.14
that exist in and adjacent to the coastal waters of the state. In Type 3, 4, 5 and 6 Waters maintenance
dredging, dock reconfiguration, activities such as travel lift operations and other best available
technologies, and other ancillary activities necessary to maintain the operational viability of the facility
should be expected to occur. The Council has detailed this policy in its handout entitled "Marina
Certification Program." (Pre-existing marinas in Type 2 Waters are covered at 200.2.) The Marina
Certification Program allows for certain maintenance activities to occur at marina facilities with approved
marina perimeters. In order to be eligible for this policy, applications for marina certification must be
submitted to the CRMC before October 1, 1994.
8. Minor repairs to boating facilities registered in accordance with the Council's Dock Registration
Program and authorized by the Council are permitted without further review provided that the repairs will
not alter the previously authorized design, capacity, purpose, or use of the facility. Minor repairs shall
only include the repair or replacement of: decking (does not include stringers); handrails; ladders; and,
electrical wiring and fixtures.
9. See Table 4a for maintenance provisions for dwelling additions and rebuilds within the 50 foot
setback zone on developed, moderately developed, and undeveloped barriers.
C. Prerequisites
1. All applicants for a Certification of Maintenance shall submit for review a valid Council Assent,
dimension and/or site plans, photographs, or other information as required to make a proper determination
of the nature of the request.
Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Program
Adopted Date 11/14/2006
Page 3
Section 300.14
Table 4a. Dwelling Rebuilds and Additions for Maintenance Activities under Section 300.14
Section 210.7 (Dunes): Within the 50 Foot Dune Setback Zone
DEVELOPED BARRIERS
All Structural Alterations other than Maintenance will be Required to:
Move Beyond the 50 foot Setback Area and
Meet Flood Plain Elevation Requirements
MODERATELY
DEVELOPED AND
UNDEVELOPED
BARRIERS*
Additions
(On Ground)
Prohibited
Allowed:
25 sq.ft. Cantilever Decks
at a minimum of 8 feet
above grade (in 50 foot
setback area only)
If Foundation is NOT
FEMA Compliant and:
1. Rebuild In-kind
2. Anything Else
Not Allowed
Not Allowed
Note:
Before any work can be done,
structure’s foundation must be
made FEMA-compliant (i.e.:
move up) and meet Section 140
(move back) & other applicable
RICRMP sections.
Not Allowed*
Not Allowed
If Foundation IS
FEMA Compliant and:
1. Rebuild In-kind
2. Anything Else
(Add 2nd Floor
(Demolition/
Add 2nd Floor
Allowed (as Maintenance)
Not Allowed
Allowed only if Activity is
built beyond 50 foot
Setback and meets Flood
Plain Elevation)
Allowed only if Activity is
built beyond 50 foot
Setback and meets Flood
Plain Elevation)
Note:
If structure is within the 50 foot
setback area, and cannot re-
locate beyond 50 foot setback
area, application will be deter-
mined to be a Maintenance
activity and the structure will
be allowed to be rebuilt in-kind.
Allowed*
Not Allowed
Not Allowed
Not Allowed
These are for typical maintenance activity reviews. In unusual circumstances, the Executive Director may
invoke the maintenance provision allowances of Section 300.14. This table is for residential structures which
are intact and functional at the time of application. It shall not be applicable for structures which have been
destroyed 50% or greater by coastal storms. Structures which have been destroyed 50% or more by coastal
storms will be processed as new applications under the appropriate sections of the RICRMP and applicable
SAMPs. Relief from this table requires a Special Exception.
*On Moderately Developed and Undeveloped Barriers, only in-kind maintenance is allowed. If a lot can
support it, the structure may be moved back and up (FEMA-compliant). However, in-kind rebuild is still only
allowance.