AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

This bill amends state zoning laws to clarify how cities and towns calculate floor area ratios for development projects. Specifically, it mandates that the area of a basement must be excluded from these calculations, allowing more usable space above ground without increasing the official density limit of a building. The change directly affects local municipalities and developers by providing a clearer standard for measuring building size in zoning ordinances. By removing basements from the ratio formula, the legislation aims to simplify the planning process while maintaining control over overall development intensity.