R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-7-10.1 — Exeter — Non-issuance and/or renewal of licenses or permits to applicants or licensees in arrears in local taxes, liensand assessments in the town

(a) No license or permit issued by the town of Exeter, and required for the operation
of a business as defined in this act, may be issued or renewed to any person or applicant
who is in arrears for the payment of any local taxes, liens or other assessments applicable
to the operation of the business, unless the matter has been duly appealed in a timely
fashion to a court of competent jurisdiction.
(b) No building permit may be issued for new construction and/or the renovation or alteration
of an existing structure if the party assessed or property owner is in arrears for
the payment of any real property tax, lien or other town assessment on real property
unless the matter has been duly appealed in a timely fashion to a court of competent
jurisdiction. This prohibition applies only to that real property which is the subject
of the building permit application. This section does not apply to construction, which
serves to abate a pending notice of violation issued by the town of Exeter or any
of its officials and/or representatives.
(c) Any applicant seeking any license or permit or any renewal of any license or permit
must submit with his or her application, verification from the property tax or assessment
collection agency of the town that all town taxes, liens and assessments are paid
to date, the verification to be submitted with the application to the town council.