Rhode Island Reserve Study Requirements (2026)

Rhode Island at a glance

Who must have a reserve study

We found no reserve study requirement in the Rhode Island Condominium Act [R.I. Gen. Laws chapter 34-36.1] or the older Condominium Ownership Act [chapter 34-36]. (see sources)

Site inspection

We found no statewide rule on this in the statutes listed under Sources.

Structural inspections

We found no statewide rule on this in the statutes listed under Sources.

Reserve funding

We found no reserve funding requirement for associations. The association may adopt budgets for revenues, expenditures and reserves [R.I. Gen. Laws 34-36.1-3.02]. The budget a developer puts in the public offering statement must include an annual amount to establish a sufficient reserve for exterior painting or staining, roof shingles, roadway resurfacing and other items that wear out [34-36.1-4.03(a)(5)]. (see sources)

Disclosure

A condominium resale certificate must state capital expenditures anticipated for the current and next two fiscal years and the amount of any reserves for capital expenditures [R.I. Gen. Laws 34-36.1-4.09]. A developer's public offering statement must include a budget showing the reserve amount and the life span and cost of repainting, reroofing and resurfacing roadways [34-36.1-4.03(a)(5)]. (see sources)

Who may prepare the study

We found no statewide rule on this in the statutes listed under Sources.

What this means for boards

• With no statewide mandate confirmed here, check your governing documents and any lender requirements. They can require a study even where the statute does not.
• A current reserve study is still the usual way to show the board planned for major repairs with care.
• Keep the study, the board's funding decision and the reasons for it on record.
• Ask your association's attorney how the rules apply to your community.

What this means for reserve preparers

• Confirm which statute governs the association before you scope the work: condominium, planned community and cooperative acts often differ.
• Match the study level and site visit to what the statute requires.
• Cite the statute in the report so the board can see what the study satisfies.

How ReservePath handles Rhode Island

ReservePath supports full studies, updates with a site visit and updates without one, 30-year funding projections, and study renewal reminders based on the cycle you set for each study. It includes in-app compliance guidance for each state as a starting point. The preparer and the association's attorney remain responsible for confirming what the law requires.

Frequently asked questions

Does Rhode Island require a reserve study?

We found no reserve study requirement in the Rhode Island Condominium Act [R.I. Gen. Laws chapter 34-36.1] or the older Condominium Ownership Act [chapter 34-36].

Does Rhode Island require reserves to be funded?

We found no reserve funding requirement for associations. The association may adopt budgets for revenues, expenditures and reserves [R.I. Gen. Laws 34-36.1-3.02]. The budget a developer puts in the public offering statement must include an annual amount to establish a sufficient reserve for exterior painting or staining, roof shingles, roadway resurfacing and other items that wear out [34-36.1-4.03(a)(5)].

What reserve information must be disclosed in Rhode Island?

A condominium resale certificate must state capital expenditures anticipated for the current and next two fiscal years and the amount of any reserves for capital expenditures [R.I. Gen. Laws 34-36.1-4.09]. A developer's public offering statement must include a budget showing the reserve amount and the life span and cost of repainting, reroofing and resurfacing roadways [34-36.1-4.03(a)(5)].

Sources

• R.I. Gen. Laws 34-36.1-3.02
• R.I. Gen. Laws 34-36.1-4.09
• R.I. Gen. Laws 34-36.1-4.03
• R.I. Gen. Laws 34-36.1-1.02 (applicability)
• R.I. Gen. Laws chapter 34-36 (Condominium Ownership Act)