Rhode Island General Laws Title 45. Towns and Cities § 45-22-1. Establishment of a planning board or commission--Home rule charter exempt

(a) All cities and towns shall, by ordinance, establish a planning board or commission under the provisions of this chapter. Any city or town operating under a home rule charter that provides for the establishment of a planning board or commission may continue under the provisions of that charter, except that the provisions of § 45-22-7, governing the formulation and adoption of a comprehensive plan and the duties of a planning board or commission, apply to all cities and towns.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of the general laws, public laws, or any special law to the contrary regarding the same, including any home rule charter provision, a city or town may establish, by ordinance, a combined review board pursuant to the provisions of § 45-24-56.1 which shall have the authority, powers, requirements, and duties set forth in this chapter, as well as in chapter 23 of this title, and chapter 24 of this title 45 of a “planning board or commission” and “zoning board.”