State compliance guides / Rhode Island
Rhode Island HOA violation letters: what the law requires
Rhode Island regulates fining in condominiums but not in non-condo HOAs, which are governed solely by their recorded declarations. For condominiums, reasonable fines are permitted only after notice and an opportunity to be heard, and the statute adds hard caps: $100 per day for continuing residential violations and $500 for other residential fines — caps the governing documents cannot override. Unusually, fines (plus hearing costs and attorney's fees) become a lien on the unit.
Before you send: Rhode Island notice requirements
No statute for non-condo HOAs; condominiums under the Rhode Island Condominium Act (R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 34-36.1; fines at §34-36.1-3.20)
- Condominiums: notice and the opportunity for a hearing must be provided to the alleged violator before a fine is imposed (R.I. Gen. Laws §§34-36.1-3.02(a)(11), 34-36.1-3.20).
- Hearings are conducted before the executive board or a person the board designates.
- Daily fines for continuing violations are capped at $100 per day for residential condominiums ($500 per day commercial) (§34-36.1-3.20(b)).
- Non-daily fines are capped at $500 for residential condominiums ($1,000 commercial) (§34-36.1-3.20(c)).
- Any declaration, bylaw, or rule purporting to establish its own maximum fine is invalid — the statutory caps control (§34-36.1-3.20(d)).
- All fines are a lien on the unit, and a hearing decision must include costs plus reasonable attorney's fees for a prevailing party represented by Rhode Island counsel (§34-36.1-3.20).
Fines: For condominiums, Rhode Island imposes hard statutory caps — $100 per day (residential) for continuing-violation daily fines and $500 (residential) for other fines — and voids any attempt in the governing documents to set different maximums. Non-condo HOAs have no statutory fine authority or cap; their fines are governed entirely by the recorded declaration.
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Rhode Island HOA letter FAQ
What must a Rhode Island association do before fining an owner?
For a condominium, provide notice and the opportunity for a hearing before the executive board or its designee before any fine is imposed (§§34-36.1-3.02(a)(11), 34-36.1-3.20). For a non-condo HOA there is no statutory procedure — follow the recorded declaration and bylaws.
How large can condo fines be in Rhode Island?
Residential condos: no more than $100 per day for continuing daily fines and no more than $500 for other fines (commercial: $500 per day and $1,000). These caps override anything in the declaration or rules, and fines become a lien on the unit.
Is there a set response window for the homeowner?
No — the statute requires notice and a hearing opportunity but sets no specific day count, so timing follows the association's bylaws and reasonable practice. Note the fee-shifting risk: the hearing decision must include costs and reasonable attorney's fees for a prevailing party represented by Rhode Island counsel.
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Official sources
- R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-3.20 (RI General Assembly, official)
- R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-3.02 (RI General Assembly, official)
Last reviewed against the sources above on 2026-07-11.
This guide summarizes commonly applicable rules for general information only — it is not legal advice, statutes change, and your governing documents may impose different procedures. Confirm current law with a licensed Rhode Island attorney before taking enforcement action.