(a)  The owner of a self-service storage facility shall require each occupant to specifically identify, in writing, the amount, nature and composition of any flammable or hazardous material to be stored on the premises. The occupant shall notify the owner, in writing, within twenty-four (24) hours of the time when the flammable or hazardous materials are stored in the premises.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 34-42-8

  • in writing: include printing, engraving, lithographing, and photo-lithographing, and all other representations of words in letters of the usual form. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-16
  • Occupant: means a person, or his or her sublessee, successor, or assign, who is entitled to the use of the storage space at a self-service storage facility under a rental agreement, to the exclusion of others. See Rhode Island General Laws 34-42-2
  • Owner: means the proprietor, operator, lessor, or sublessor of a self-service storage facility, his or her agent, or any other person authorized by him or her to manage the facility or to receive rent from an occupant under a rental agreement. See Rhode Island General Laws 34-42-2
  • person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6
  • Self-service storage facility: means any real property designed and used for the purpose of renting or leasing individual storage space to occupants who are to have access to the space for the purpose of storing and removing personal property. See Rhode Island General Laws 34-42-2
  • town: may be construed to include city; the words "town council" include city council; the words "town clerk" include city clerk; the words "ward clerk" include clerk of election district; the words "town treasurer" include city treasurer; and the words "town sergeant" include city sergeant. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-9

(b)  Every occupant of any self-service storage facility shall notify the local fire department in writing of any flammable or hazardous material stored on the premises.

(c)  Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be fined up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) per day, or imprisoned up to six (6) months, or both.

(d)  This section shall be enforced by the city or town through its director of public safety and/or fire department and/or fire district in which the self-service storage facility is located. Nothing in this section shall be construed to preempt the duties and responsibilities under the Hazardous Waste Management Act, chapter 19.1 of Title 23 as well as any municipal flammable storage ordinances.

(e)  The provisions of § 45-13-7 — § 45-13-10 shall not apply to this section.

History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 279, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 102, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 107, § 1.