R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-61-8
A one-time surcharge shall be assessed on new residential construction, excluding renovations, at the rate of two cents ($0.02) per square foot under roof floor space. This surcharge shall be collected by the local building official at the time an application for a building permit is submitted. The local building official shall collect the surcharge and remit the funds collected to the department on a quarterly calendar basis beginning no later than October 31, 2007 for the preceding quarter, and continuing each third month thereafter. The local building official shall also submit, on the same calendar basis, documentation of all building permits for new residential construction issued during the previous calendar quarter. The unit of municipal government issuing the new residential construction building permits may retain five percent (5%) of the surcharge collected to cover costs associated with the collection and remittance of the surcharge. All funds remitted to the department pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the general fund as general revenues.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-61-8