AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

SB 3148 amends state zoning laws to ensure that basements are no longer counted when cities and towns calculate floor area ratios for development projects. This change directly affects municipalities across Rhode Island by altering how they measure the allowable size of buildings relative to their land lots. By removing basements from these calculations, the bill allows developers to build larger structures above ground without increasing the official floor area ratio limit. The legislation takes effect immediately upon passage and does not impact other aspects of zoning regulations such as lot size or slope requirements.