HB 5288 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING UTILITY CONNECTIONS FOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS.

HB 5288 modifies zoning and utility rules for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), commonly called "granny flats" or secondary units on the same property as a main home. The bill requires municipalities to allow ADUs on single-family lots "as of right" (without special approval) and prohibits local governments from charging separate utility connection fees for ADUs connected to the main house's existing utilities. It also bans requirements like separate utility billing, extra parking, or restrictions on tenant relationships. This directly affects homeowners seeking to create ADUs and local governments managing zoning and utility regulations.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 19, 2026 Signed May 7, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill PD Joint Favorable Substitute · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to change its title from 'Accessory Apartments' to 'Accessory Dwelling Units' to use more inclusive terminology. The substantive policy content remains largely the same, with minor formatting adjustments to the page headers and a small correction to a reference to the fire safety code.
DEFINITION

The bill title and the term 'apartments' within the text were changed to 'dwelling units' to broaden the language and remove potential stigma associated with the word 'apartment'.

TECHNICAL

The reference to the 'fire safety code' in the fire sprinkler exemption was updated to simply 'fire code'.

Page header information was updated to reflect the new 'Substitute Bill' status and adjusted line numbers to match the revised text layout.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 30, 2026 · House Apr 27, 2026

How they voted

2610
Passed
Total votes 36
Apr 30, 2026
D Democratic25
25 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican11
1 Yea 10 Nay
90% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
20
Key actions
4
Committee
2
May 7, 2026
Signed into law
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
lower
Apr 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
SENATE PASSED
upper
Apr 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
HOUSE PASSED
lower
Mar 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Planning and Development
lower
6 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors