Question Presented: By letter received March 22, 2016, Chief Michael DeMello of the Bristol Fire Department requested a formal interpretation regarding the applicability of RILSC Chapter 26, more particularly section 26.3.6.2 as it relates to Bed & Breakfast Homes.

General Background: RILSC Chapter 26 provides that:
(Amd) 26.1.1.1  The requirements of this chapter shall apply to buildings that provide sleeping accommodations for 16 or fewer persons on either a transient or permanent basis, with or without meals, but without separate cooking facilities for individual occupants, except as provided in Chapter 24 and/or Sections 26.1.1.1.1 through 26.1.1.1.7 (Bed and Breakfast Homes) as outlined below. [Emphasis added].

(Add) 26.1.1.1.1  A Bed and Breakfast Home is defined as an owner and/or innkeeper occupied building that provides sleeping accommodations for up to sixteen guests.  Every Bed and Breakfast Home must further have originated as a private home and must have at least 300 square feet of common space (i.e. dining room, living room, etc.) for guest use, and must further provide breakfast.  Finally, the owner and/or innkeeper must occupy the building twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, while guests are utilizing the facility.  The owner and/or innkeeper of the Bed and Breakfast Home shall have a plan of action, approved by the local official, to assure the safety of the guests in the event the owner or innkeeper is required to temporarily leave the facility unsupervised for limited periods during the day.

Conclusions and Formal Interpretation: If a building meets the definition of a Bed and Breakfast Home as set forth in RILSC section 26.1.1.1.1, only the requirements of sections 26.1.1.1.2 through 26.1.1.1.7 shall be applicable.

Accordingly, the requirements of sections 26.1.1.2 through 26.7.1.3 applicable to lodging & rooming houses shall not be applicable to Bed & Breakfast Homes.