Rhode Island coastal cottage ownership terms

Rhode Island’s narrow shoreline makes coastal cottage contracts legally dense. Ownership terms usually address coastal buffer zones, state tidal water rights, and mandatory erosion control permits. Buyers must also understand public trust doctrine, which gives the public certain access rights along the shore even when property is privately owned. Ownership terms may require acknowledging these rights and limiting fence placement or dock construction. Without precise contract drafting, disputes between cottage owners and recreational users escalate quickly. A carefully prepared contract balances scenic ownership with Rhode Island’s strong public access policies.