Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) configured for a periodic channel stat information (CSI) reference signal (CSI-RS) configuration may request an update for one or more parameters of the periodic CSI-RS configuration. For example, the UE may transmit request to a base station for a longer periodicity based on detecting a low Doppler scenario or little variance to wireless channel conditions, or the UE may request a shorter periodicity based on detecting a high Doppler scenario or high variance to wireless channel conditions. The base station may update a configuration for CSI or for CSI-RS based on the request. For example, the base station may update a periodicity for the periodic CSI-RS configuration based on the requested periodicity.