Bill > SB00151

This bill, effective October 1, 2026, aims to prevent local governments from imposing overly restrictive zoning rules on housing development. Specifically, it prohibits municipalities from enforcing regulations that dictate minimum lot sizes (over 5,000 square feet for lots connected to public water and sewer), minimum square footage or exterior dimensions for single-family homes or townhouses, lot coverage limits, or excessive setback requirements (more than 10 feet for front/rear and 5 feet for sides) for single-family homes and townhouses. It also prevents prohibiting townhouses in single-family zones and restricts the ability to prevent owners of improved lots (lots with a residential structure) from subdividing them into three or fewer smaller lots, provided the lot wasn't recently subdivided, with exceptions for historic properties, agricultural land with acquired development rights, land with conservation restrictions, and situations conflicting with essential building, fire, or public health and safety codes. Furthermore, the bill prohibits zoning from denying land use applications based on vague notions of "district character" unless clearly defined by physical standards, or on an applicant's immutable characteristics, source of income, or income level, except for age or disability in age- or disability-restricted housing. It also removes the ability to place fixed numerical or percentage caps on the number of dwelling units in multi-family housing, middle housing, or mixed-use developments over four units, and limits parking space requirements for residential developments.

Housing and Urban Affairs

Housing Committee (Joint)

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=SB00151&which_year=2026