R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-18-3
In order to more effectively secure compliance with regulations issued pursuant to § 5-18-2, any ordinance may provide that no outdoor advertising shall be maintained or displayed unless that outdoor advertising, in respect to all the matters specified in § 5-18-2, is first approved, by a city or town officer designated in the ordinance, as being in conformity with those regulations; provided, that, whenever any city or town officer refuses or withholds that approval, application may be made to the city or town council for its approval of the application; and if approved by that city or town council, as being in conformity with those regulations, no approval of the city or town officer is required before maintaining or displaying the advertising.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-18-3