R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-28-1: “Parking meter” defined.

For the purpose of this chapter, “parking meter” means a meter device installed upon the public highways or the sidewalks adjacent to it, in which a coin must be deposited for the privilege of occupying, for a certain period, a space which is situated in a zone which a lawful authority has designated as a parking meter zone for the purpose of regulating parking of vehicles on public highways.