R.I. Gen. Laws § 2-23.2-4: Effect of rules and regulations.

All rules, regulations, ordinances and other requirements of the state and agencies, corporations, boards, commissions and political subdivisions of the state that are applicable to the conduct of agricultural operations allowable as of the date of the final execution of the instrument conveying development rights shall continue to apply to agricultural operations on such agricultural land. Unless specifically provided for by law or unless necessary to protect public health, safety or the environment from imminent hazard, no rule, regulation or requirement adopted by any agency, corporation, board, commission and/or political subdivision of the state after the date of such final execution of an instrument conveying development rights shall be deemed to diminish, restrict or impair such allowable agricultural activities, except as may be necessary not to impair the actual agricultural operations of another person engaged in agricultural operations, including those who have not conveyed development rights.

The limitations herein established shall not be deemed to diminish or impair the adoption, amendment, implementation, or enforcement of rules, regulations, ordinances, or other requirements that do not directly affect actual agricultural operations that are undertaken for the purposes of producing agricultural products.