515 R.I. Code R. 10-00-2 § 515-RICR-10-00-2 § 2.20
Petition for Declaratory Order
Operative Text
A. Petition for Declaratory Order. A petition for a Declaratory Order must be in writing, submitted to a Commission attorney and include the following information: 1. The name and address of the petitioner; 2. A statement identifying the statute, Regulation, guidance document or Order at issue; 3. A detailed statement of all facts relied upon by the petitioner; 4. A copy of any and all documents relied upon by the petitioner; 5. A statement requesting a Declaratory Order, and further indicating whether petitioner seeks: a. an interpretation or application of a statute administered by the Commission; and/or, b. clarification as to the manner in which a Regulation, guidance document or Order issued by the Commission applies to the petitioner. B. Consideration and Disposition. The Commission shall consider the Petition as provided in the Administrative Procedures Act. 1. The Commission may, at its discretion: a. issue or decline to issue the Order; or, b. schedule the matter for further consideration. 2. A petitioner may appeal the Commission’s final disposition of the Petition for a Declaratory Order as provided by the Rhode Island Administrative Procedures Act.
Under 515 RICR 10-00-2 § 2.20, any person may submit a written petition to the Rhode Island Commission asking for a formal Declaratory Order that clarifies how a statute, regulation, guidance document, or Commission order applies to their situation. The petition must include identifying information, a description of the legal question, a detailed factual statement, and supporting documents. The Commission reviews the petition under the Rhode Island Administrative Procedures Act and may issue the order, decline to issue it, or schedule further proceedings; its final decision can be appealed under that same Act.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who face uncertainty about how a Commission regulation or order applies to their operations may use the declaratory order process established at 515 RICR 10-00-2 § 2.20 to seek formal written clarification. A compliant petitioner generally submits a written request to a Commission attorney that includes their name and address, identifies the specific statute or regulation at issue, provides a thorough factual statement, and attaches all relevant supporting documents. If the Commission's final disposition is unfavorable, operators are generally aware that an appeal pathway exists under the Rhode Island Administrative Procedures Act.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants who are uncertain about how a Commission statute, regulation, or order applies to their housing situation may find the declaratory order process described in 515 RICR 10-00-2 § 2.20 a useful avenue for obtaining formal clarification. A petition must be submitted in writing to a Commission attorney and include the petitioner's name and address, a description of the legal question, a detailed account of the relevant facts, and copies of supporting documents. If the Commission issues a final disposition that is unsatisfactory, 515 RICR 10-00-2 § 2.20 provides that the petitioner may appeal under the Rhode Island Administrative Procedures Act; tenant-rights organizations can help explain what this process generally involves.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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