R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-19.2-2: Regulation of removal of night soil and cleaning of cesspools and septic tanks.

The council of any city or town is authorized and empowered to make regulations for the removal and disposal of night soil and the contents of cesspools and septic tanks and the storing of stable manure in the city or town, may issue licenses to any person or persons for conducting the business of removing night soil and the contents of cesspools and septic tanks, may revoke or suspend the licenses issued for this purpose, and may fix the fee for these licenses; provided, that no license shall be issued by any city or town until the proposed location and means of disposal of these materials shall first have been approved in writing by the state director of health.