Housing (Zoning)

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 8363: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

Authorizes municipalities, through ordinance, to require private real property owners to obtain a license to operate a dwelling unit as student housing.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill requires licensing for student housing, creating regulatory barriers that could limit housing development and reduce affordable housing options.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Zoning

Track

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 2917: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND HOUSING RESOURCES ACT OF 1998

Allows the town of Smithfield to receive a one-half (1/2) credit for affordable housing units for manufactured homes in age restricted communities in conformance with all zoning laws and/or ordinances of the town.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides credit for affordable housing units in manufactured home communities, supporting affordable housing development and expansion.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 2628: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES -- MINIMUM PARKING REQUIREMENTS

SB 2628 establishes statewide limits on minimum off-street parking requirements for new housing and commercial developments. It prohibits municipalities from requiring more than one parking space per single-family home, half a space per multi-family unit, or two spaces per 1,000 square feet of commercial space. The bill exempts certain projects from parking mandates, including small homes under 1,200 square feet, commercial spaces under 3,000 square feet, affordable housing, historic district buildings, and child daycare centers. Municipalities must update their zoning codes by December 31, 2026, to comply, while retaining authority over bicycle parking, loading zones, and traffic studies.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts affordable housing from parking mandates and reduces requirements for multi-family units, lowering development costs for housing projects.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Zoning

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 2691: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

Eliminates mandated housing densities/density bonuses for public drinking water supply watersheds/groundwater. Requires densities not exceed water availability, introduce pollution, stay within public water or sewer system capacity limits.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates housing densities not exceed water availability and prevent pollution in watersheds, strengthening environmental protections for water resources and pollution control.92% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingEliminates density bonuses for housing development in watersheds, restricting housing density requirements that would advance affordable housing development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality Land Use Zoning

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signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 11, 2026

HB 7777: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- GENERAL POWERS--WARWICK MUNICIPAL COURT

HB 7777 expands the Warwick municipal court's authority to handle cases involving zoning violations, housing maintenance codes, building regulations, and related local ordinances. The bill removes the court's power to impose jail sentences, restricting penalties to fines of up to $500 per violation. It also grants the court the ability to order repairs or corrective actions for housing code violations, such as fixing unsafe dwellings. This change directly affects residents and property owners in Warwick who face enforcement under these housing, building, and zoning codes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates court-ordered repairs for unsafe housing code violations, strengthening tenant safety protections without jail penalties. Directly addresses housing maintenance enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 23, 2026

HB 8005: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

HB 8005 changes how local governments in Rhode Island can set parking requirements for new housing. It amends zoning rules to adjust standards for permitted parking spaces in dwelling units, particularly affecting towns and cities that create zoning ordinances. The key change modifies Section 45-24-33's provisions about parking areas (subsection 4[vi]), clarifying how municipalities may limit or require parking based on development type. This directly impacts developers building new residential projects and local officials drafting zoning rules. The bill does not eliminate parking requirements but refines how they are applied within zoning codes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill reduces parking requirements for new housing, lowering development costs and facilitating more housing construction, directly supporting affordable housing and development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 8041: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

HB 8041 allows the town of Johnston to set density bonuses - incentives for higher-density development - based on its existing zoning ordinances. This bill directly affects Johnston's local planning decisions by giving the town authority to determine these bonuses according to its current zoning framework. The key provision removes a previous restriction, enabling Johnston to align density incentives with its specific zoning classifications. This change streamlines the town's ability to manage development patterns within its designated zones. The bill is currently under review by the House Municipal Government & Housing committee.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes restriction on density bonuses for higher-density development, directly enabling increased housing supply through zoning incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 8039: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

Clarifies the means by which attached single-family dwelling units may be created, recorded, and regulated as subdivisions of an existing lot under current zoning ordinance law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingClarifies zoning for attached single-family units, enabling more housing development options under existing ordinances without restrictions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 7659: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

Prohibits contractors from submitting a single application to a local review board seeking a comprehensive permit for housing projects in certain circumstances.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingProhibits single application for housing permits, increasing development barriers for low/moderate income projects.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Building Codes Zoning

Track

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 8040: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

Prohibits any city or town from enacting any zoning ordinance that would place restrictions on residential NARR-certified recovery residences that are not applicable to other residential homes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits zoning restrictions on recovery houses, facilitating housing development for specific needs without additional barriers, aligning with housing development policy goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning