{"id":4307,"date":"2024-06-26T07:10:14","date_gmt":"2024-06-26T11:10:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/?p=4307"},"modified":"2024-06-26T07:10:15","modified_gmt":"2024-06-26T11:10:15","slug":"people-can-walk-and-sit-on-your-beachfront-property-tell-buyers-rhode-islands-new-law-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/people-can-walk-and-sit-on-your-beachfront-property-tell-buyers-rhode-islands-new-law-says\/","title":{"rendered":"People Can Walk (and Sit) on Your Beachfront Property. Tell Buyers, Rhode Island\u2019s New Law Says."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The owners of Rhode Island\u2019s beachfront homes would like to own the beach \u2014 all the way out to the water. But last June, Rhode Island law created a public right to access areas of passable shore up to ten feet above the visible high tide line \u2014 the line where you can see the seaweed wash up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a big deal. It expands the public\u2019s clear-cut, measurable right to access the shore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, a year later, there\u2019s a new law to fortify that public right. On June 17, 2024, the state governor signed House Bill 7376A into immediate effect. All beachfront property sellers must tell buyers about the public shoreline access law. <\/strong>This way, new homeowners will know they may not block people\u2019s access to the shore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s This All About?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over the years, waterfront property owners have had some success getting lawyers and courts to shield their beachfronts from the common folk. But people are just naturally drawn to the mesmerizing tides. There\u2019s a persistent tension between the property owners and the beach lovers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Home buyers have chased people off the beaches, and been caught off guard when told they\u2019re improperly thwarting public access to Rhode Island\u2019s shoreline. After all, the public\u2019s right to walk along the waterline is embedded in the state constitution, which says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The people shall continue to enjoy and freely exercise\u2026 the gathering of seaweed, leaving the shore to swim in the sea and passage along the shore\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

About five years back, this conflict came to a head. A lone beachgoer was arrested while collecting seaweed. Many people thought the arrest was an outrage. Their concern touched off quite a chain of legal events.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fast-forward to June 2024. The public\u2019s beachfront access rights have been clarified for a year now. And today, lawmakers want coastal home buyers to get the memo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latest turn of legal events serves as a wake-up call for sellers and new owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does the New Law Say?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The new shoreline access rule means Rhode Island sellers will clearly convey any permits or rights of public access to the shore, up to the seaweed line. It means those permits remain with the conveyed property \u2014 so there are no unpleasant surprises after a new owner receives the deed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new law says a seller has to give prospective buyers the following information: <\/p>\n\n\n\n