AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

HB 6175 requires new residential developments of 10 or more units to include 15% affordable housing units, defined as housing for households earning ≤80% of area median income. Developers must provide units of comparable quality to market-rate housing, which must remain affordable for 30 years via enforceable restrictions. Alternatives include building on-site, off-site construction, land donation, or paying a fee-in-lieu (minimum $40,000 per unit) to fund local affordable housing. Municipalities must manage fee-in-lieu funds through dedicated accounts and allocate them within three years for housing serving low/moderate-income residents. The bill applies directly to developers and municipalities implementing zoning ordinances.