Researcher: JSB Page 1 4/16/25
OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 7062
AN ACT CONCERNING TEMPORARY SHELTER UNITS FOR
PERSONS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR REFUGEES.
SUMMARY
This bill requires zoning regulations in certain municipalities to
allow, as of right, federally tax-exempt religious organizations to install
and maintain on their property temporary shelter units for refugees and
people experiencing homelessness, subject to certain conditions and
limitations. The bill’s requirement applies to municipalities with at least
25,000 residents, based on the most recent decennial census, that adopt
zoning regulations under the statutes (CGS § 8-2), as opposed to a
special act.
The bill authorizes municipalities to, among other things, (1) require
the units to meet certain size and structural specifications, (2) prohibit
more than eight of these units on a single lot, and (3) limit individuals’
occupancy to 12 consecutive months. Under the bill, if an impacted
municipality does not amend or adopt new zoning regulations to
comply with the bill by July 1, 2026, its noncompliant regulations are
voided. Municipalities may not use or impose additional standards on
these units’ installation and maintenance beyond those set in the bill.
The bill also requires the State Building Code and Fire Safety Code,
when next amended and in conformity with the existing processes for
amendments, to include provisions on temporary shelter units that,
among other things, (1) ensure safe occupancy and (2) impose on these
units certain model code requirements applicable to tiny homes.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2025, except the building and fire code
amendment provisions are effective upon passage.
§ 1 — TEMPORARY SHELTER UN ITS
The bill defines these units as nonpermanent, commercially 2025HB-07062-R000722-BA.DOCX
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prefabricated accessory structures designed to be easily dismantled or
removed, excluding motor vehicles, tarps, tents, and other nonrigid
materials. It requires that they be an accessory use to a house of religious
worship owned by the religious organization. It also specifies that its
provisions do not limit a religious organization from using all or part of
any building on their property to provide temporary shelter for refugees
or people experiencing homelessness. Under the bill, a “refugee” is
anyone (1) located in Connecticut who was admitted to the country
under the Immigration and Nationality Act’s federal refugee
admissions program and (2) who is outside their country of origin
because of feared persecution, conflict, generalized violence, or other
circumstances that significantly disturbed public order.
The bill explicitly subjects these units to building and fire safety codes
but exempts them from any State Building Code provision that
effectively limits the duration of their use. It also authorizes
municipalities to set certain additional requirements and limitations for
these units, as described below.
Density, Size, and Occupancy Limitations
Municipalities may (1) prohibit more than eight temporary shelter
units on a single lot and (2) set their maximum size at up to 400 square
feet. They may also prohibit (1) more than one family or two unrelated
people from occupying a unit and (2) anyone from occupying the unit
for longer than 12 consecutive months.
Permissible Locations
Municipalities may (1) prohibit these units from being installed
within 1,000 feet of any cemetery or elementary or secondary school
(public or private) and (2) require they be set back at least 10 feet from
any adjacent property the organization does not own.
Municipalities may also require that (1) any outdoor storage of
occupants’ personal belongings be blocked from public view by a wall
or fence at least six feet tall and (2) the entire outdoor and parking area
of the property where they are installed have exterior lighting. 2025HB-07062-R000722-BA.DOCX
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Structural and Facilities Requirements
Municipalities may require that these units (1) be structurally sound,
protect occupants from the elements, and pose no threat to their health
or safety; (2) have working heating and cooling equipment; and (3) have
enough electrical sources to allow the safe use of lighting and personal
electrical appliances and devices.
They may also require the religious organizations installing
temporary shelter units to provide enough male and female toilets and
shower facilities to accommodate their occupants (including at least one
toilet and shower for every eight occupants per gender).
Permit Application and Review Process
The bill requires an as-of-right permit application and review process
for approving these units. By law, and under the bill, “as of right” means
able to be approved without requiring (1) a public hearing; (2) a
variance, special permit, or special exception; or (3) other discretionary
zoning action, other than a determination that a site plan conforms with
applicable zoning regulations.
It requires municipalities to issue their decisions on applications
within 65 days after the applicable zoning commission receives an
application, unless the applicant agrees to one or more extensions of up
to an additional 65 days or withdraws their application. They may not
condition the unit’s approval on the correction of a nonconforming use,
structure, or lot.
Utility Connections
The bill prohibits municipalities, special districts, and sewer and
water authorities from:
1. considering a temporary shelter unit to be a new residential use
for calculating utility connection fees or capacity charges,
including for water or sewer service, and
2. requiring new or separate utility connections directly to a unit or
imposing related connection fees or capacity charges. 2025HB-07062-R000722-BA.DOCX
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§ 2 — BUILDING CODE AND FIRE SAFETY CODE AMENDMENTS
Subject to the procedural requirements described below, the bill
requires the State Building Code and Fire Safety Code, when they are
next amended and adopted, to include provisions that regulate
temporary shelter units’ erection and use, ensuring the applicable code
provisions:
1. are consistent with safe occupancy and egress;
2. regulate the installation and use of heating and cooking
equipment and equipment that utilizes flammable fuel; and
3. require units to comply with Appendix Q of the 2021
International Residential Code, which generally applies to tiny
houses (see BACKGROUND).
But the bill’s amendment requirements only apply if:
1. for the State Building Code, the state building inspector and the
Codes and Standards Committee amend it jointly, with the
administrative services commissioner’s approval, and in
conformity with existing law’s procedures and requirements on
amending the code; and
2. for the Fire Safety Code, the state fire marshal and the Codes and
Standards Committee adopt the amendments in conformity with
existing law’s procedures and requirements on amending the
code.
BACKGROUND
Appendix Q of the 2021 International Residential Code
The International Residential Code is a model building code
developed by the International Code Council. Appendix Q is its model
code for foundation-based and movable tiny houses, providing building
standards for houses that are 400 square feet or smaller. 2025HB-07062-R000722-BA.DOCX
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COMMITTEE ACTION
Planning and Development Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 18 Nay 3 (03/28/2025)