The City of Newport announced today that residential property owners currently enrolled in the City’s Two-Tier residential tax rate program can apply for re-enrollment in the resident-friendly, money-saving program beginning January 2nd.
Approved applications received during the re-enrollment period, which runs from Jan. 2nd until March 15th, 2025, will be valid for the next three (3) tax years—2025, 2026, and 2027, according to the City. For those already enrolled in the program, forms for re-enrollment will be mailed in mid-December and will be available online on the City’s website, along with hard copies in the Tax Assessors’ office.
Landlords of residential properties of three units or less who rent to year-round residents are also eligible to take advantage of the City’s Residential Property Rate, which this year was set at $6.97 per thousand for Residents and $8.22 per thousand for Non-Residents. Both of those rates are among the lowest in the State, and the lowest among Cities and Towns with full utilities and a K-12 school district.
Note that landlords are required to keep current 12-month leases on file with the tax assessor’s office to maintain a valid exemption.
The program, which was first adopted in 2022, is intended to encourage year-round residency for both property owners and renters alike.
In order to qualify:
· Owners of single-family homes must be a Resident of Newport and domicile at the subject property for more than seven (7) months of the year.
· Residential properties of three units or less may also qualify provided that all units are rented to tenants as their principal residence pursuant to a lease of one year or longer. Applications must be accompanied by a valid and current lease, even if previously submitted.
Please note that the property for which the owner-occupied residential tax rate is claimed must be legally titled in the name of the applicant; the Trustee of a Revocable or Irrevocable living trust with the applicant residing at the property and paying the taxes; or in Applicant(s) as life tenants who have an obligation to pay the taxes and applicant resides at the subject property.
Applications must be accompanied by acceptable proof of residency, such as a valid Rhode Island Driver’s License/ID that lists the subject property as your address or current Voter Registration Card.
More information about the popular program can be found on the City’s website at
