Bill > S1051

This bill modifies Rhode Island's land development regulations by creating a new provision (45-23-37.1) that allows property owners with oversized lots to more easily subdivide their land for residential or mixed-use projects. Under this new process, applicants can use an administrative subdivision procedure to split their lot based on the median lot dimensions of surrounding properties, specifically using the median lot area, width, depth, and frontage of direct abutters or the median dimensions of parcels on a contiguous block, whichever results in smaller individual dimensions. Applicants can use local tax assessor maps to determine these dimensions, which simplifies the subdivision process. The bill requires each city and town in Rhode Island to update their local regulations to align with this new provision by December 31, 2025, and the act will take effect immediately upon passage. This legislation aims to provide more flexibility for property owners seeking to develop oversized lots while maintaining neighborhood consistency in lot sizes.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://status.rilegislature.gov/