Washington County, Rhode Island
Narragansett, RI Coastal Construction & Excavation Specialists
Narragansett's oceanfront geography, barrier beach geology, and strict Coastal Resources Management Council regulations create one of the most demanding construction environments in New England. Roberts Construction has the coastal expertise, CRMC experience, and local knowledge to make your Narragansett project succeed.
CRMC — The Agency That Governs Most of Narragansett's Buildable Land
The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council holds authority over construction activities within the coastal zone — and in Narragansett, that zone encompasses a significant majority of the town's developable properties. The CRMC's jurisdiction extends 200 feet inland from any coastal feature, including tidal wetlands, rocky shores, sand beaches, and coastal bluffs. Given Narragansett's geography, very few properties in the Pier neighborhood, the Dunes Club area, or along Ocean Road fall entirely outside CRMC's review zone.
For property owners unfamiliar with CRMC, the permit process can feel opaque and slow. The application requires detailed site plans, soil evaluations, hydrological analysis, and narrative justification for work within buffer zones. Roberts Construction has successfully navigated CRMC review on multiple Narragansett projects, including applications for work within the 50-foot inner coastal buffer — the most restrictive tier of CRMC review.
Our experience with CRMC means we know how to structure applications to minimize back-and-forth with the agency, what supplemental documentation reviewers typically request, and how to present projects in a way that demonstrates genuine coastal resource protection. We cannot guarantee approval — no contractor can — but we can dramatically improve the quality and efficiency of your application.
CRMC Permit Types We've Navigated in Narragansett
Type 1 — Administrative Approval
Minor activities in outer buffer zones. We prepare complete documentation packages for rapid Type 1 approvals.
Type 2 — Council Approval
Significant work within coastal buffers. We have experience preparing the full engineering submissions required for Type 2 review.
Assent Applications
Required for new construction on coastal properties. We coordinate with your engineer and attorney to prepare a complete assent package.
Emergency Authorizations
For storm damage repairs where timing is critical — we have successfully obtained emergency CRMC authorizations to begin protective work quickly.
Narragansett Coastal Construction Services
Every service executed by our own licensed, insured, and CRMC-experienced crews.
Coastal Site Preparation
CRMC-compliant clearing, grading, and foundation prep for Narragansett properties within the coastal zone. We manage all buffer zone setbacks and documentation.
Elevated Septic System Installation
High water tables near the Pier and Dunes Club make conventional septic systems impractical. We design and install mound and at-grade ISDS systems compliant with RIDEM's Groundwater Program.
Oceanfront Foundation Work
Deep foundations, concrete piers, and engineered footings for Ocean Road and Point Judith peninsula properties subject to wave action and storm surge loads.
Beach Property Drainage
Sandy barrier beach soils drain rapidly vertically but poorly horizontally. Our drainage systems account for Narragansett's unique subsurface hydrology to protect foundations from lateral water migration.
Land Clearing & Erosion Control
Narragansett's Scenic Byway designation along Route 1A creates visibility standards for clearing near the roadway. We execute clearing plans that satisfy both CRMC and the town's aesthetic requirements.
Point Judith Peninsula Work
Site work on the Point Judith peninsula involves some of the most technically demanding coastal construction in Washington County. Our crews have completed multiple projects on the peninsula and understand its unique conditions.
Septic System Solutions for Narragansett's Coastal Properties
Conventional septic systems are simply not viable on many Narragansett properties. The high water table near the Pier and throughout the coastal zone — often within 18 inches of the surface — means there is insufficient depth for a standard leaching field to provide the required vertical separation from groundwater. The result is that most Narragansett coastal properties require innovative or alternative septic systems: mound systems, at-grade systems, or engineered drip irrigation disposal fields.
Roberts Construction installs both the structural components of these systems and the access roads, grading, and landscaping needed after installation. We work with licensed RIDEM-certified designers to ensure the system is properly sized for the property's usage and soil conditions. Our installation crews have completed mound systems on Point Judith peninsula properties, at-grade systems in the Dunes Club area, and drip irrigation systems on lots too small for any conventional disposal approach.
If your Narragansett property has a failing septic system or you're planning to expand an existing structure and need to upgrade to a compliant system, call us. We'll assess the site conditions honestly and tell you what the best path forward looks like, including a realistic cost estimate before you commit to anything.
Mound Systems
Elevated leach fields on constructed soil mounds above the natural water table
At-Grade Systems
Low-profile systems designed for lots with insufficient elevation for a traditional mound
Drip Irrigation Disposal
Engineered disposal systems for tight lots — compliant with RIDEM's innovative system regulations
Every Narragansett Coastal Project — Our Regulatory Checklist
Before we submit a bid on any Narragansett project, this list is reviewed and documented.
"We bought an oceanfront lot on the Point Judith peninsula and needed someone who truly understood CRMC permitting. DJ walked us through the whole process, handled the application, and got us approved faster than our attorney expected. The site work itself was impeccable."
Kevin O.
Coastal Lot Preparation & Septic Install, Point Judith, Narragansett
Start Your Narragansett Coastal Project
CRMC permitting, coastal site work, septic systems — Roberts Construction handles all of it. Call us for a free site assessment and project consultation anywhere in Narragansett.
Narragansett, RI 02882 | Mon–Fri 7 AM – 5 PM