R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-59-4

A management district may be created by an ordinance or resolution enacted by the city or town council of any municipality (as defined in § 45-59-3(5)) upon the written petition of persons owning real property located within the proposed district as provided in this chapter. A management district may contain one or more subdistricts. A subdistrict may be created within an existing district by compliance with the provisions of §§ 45-59-5 and 45-59-6, but excluding § 45-59-5(a)(8), solely with respect to the proposed subdistrict. Any subdistrict will be managed by the district management authority having management authority over the district in which the subdistrict is located.