R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-24.3-19.1: Avoiding residential demolition through owner neglect.

A city or town may by ordinance empower city or town councils in consultation with the local building inspection or code enforcement office, to identify residential structures the physical condition of which have deteriorated so as to endanger the preservation of the structure or its appurtenances. Upon the petition to the local building inspection office or code enforcement office that a residential structure is so determined that its preservation is endangered, the town or city council may establish a reasonable time not less than thirty (30) days within which the owner(s) must begin repairs. If the owner(s) have not begun repairs within the time allowed, the council or a body it may designate may conduct a hearing at which the owner(s) may appear and state their reasons for not commencing repairs. If the owner(s) do not appear at the hearing or do not comply with the council’s orders, the council may cause the required repairs to be made at the expense of the city or town, and cause a lien to be placed against the property for repayments.