Bill > H5794

This bill provides technical amendments to Rhode Island's land development, subdivision, and zoning laws, making several significant changes across multiple sections of state code. The bill modifies definitions, processes, and requirements for land development, subdivisions, and zoning, with key provisions including: expanding options for administrative subdivisions by introducing "oversized lot subdivisions"; creating a new "neighborhood character-based modification" process that allows zoning enforcement officers to grant dimensional relief based on average existing neighborhood characteristics; clarifying and simplifying adaptive reuse regulations to encourage residential conversion of commercial buildings; updating rules for substandard lots to provide more flexibility for development; modifying inclusionary zoning requirements to potentially increase affordable housing development; and establishing a transit-oriented development pilot program to encourage housing near public transportation. These changes aim to streamline development processes, provide more flexibility for property owners, potentially increase housing supply, and support municipal planning objectives. The amendments touch on various aspects of land use regulation, from technical definitional changes to substantive procedural modifications, and are designed to make development processes more efficient and responsive to contemporary housing and community development needs.

Housing and Urban Affairs, Justice

https://status.rilegislature.gov/