R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-21-10.1: Removal of vehicles parked in excess of twenty-four hours.

No motor vehicle shall be parked upon any highway under the jurisdiction of the state traffic commission for a continuous period in excess of twenty-four (24) hours. Any law enforcement officer, state or municipal, may order the removal of the vehicle by towing. Any charges incurred for the towing shall be recoverable from the owner of the vehicle by the state or the municipality paying for the towing by civil action commenced in the district court for the district in which the illegal parking occurred. The civil action shall not be available, however, if the owner of the vehicle pays towing charges directly to the person who furnished the towing services.