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HB 7148

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- REHABILITATION BUILDING AND FIRE CODE FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Chippendale and 7 co-sponsors

Rhode Island would establish a specialized fire and building code for renovating existing structures with flexible standards separate from new construction requirements.

01/16/2026 Introduced, referred to House Municipal Government & Housing
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Bill Summary · HB 7148

Legislative bill overview

HB 7148 would establish a rehabilitation building and fire code specifically for existing buildings and structures in Rhode Island. This specialized code would create separate standards from new construction codes, allowing for more flexible compliance pathways when renovating or retrofitting older buildings. The bill aims to balance fire safety and building health standards with the practical and economic realities of upgrading legacy structures.

Why is this important

Existing buildings often cannot practically comply with modern construction codes designed for new buildings due to structural constraints, cost prohibitions, or architectural significance. A tailored rehabilitation code could unlock renovation projects that improve safety while keeping them economically feasible, potentially addressing Rhode Island's aging building stock. This approach is used successfully in other states to encourage property owners to upgrade aging structures rather than abandon them.

Potential points of contention

  • Safety standards debate: Critics may argue that separate rehabilitation codes could create lower safety outcomes if standards are weakened too much, while supporters contend that partial improvements are better than no improvements at all
  • Implementation and enforcement: Ambiguity over which buildings qualify, how compliance is verified, and whether local jurisdictions interpret standards uniformly could create inconsistent outcomes
  • Cost-benefit unclear: The bill lacks specific language about what flexibility is permitted, making it uncertain whether this actually encourages renovations or simply reduces regulatory burden on developers

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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