2023 -- S 1034
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LC002501
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO TOWNS AN D CITIES -- SUBDIVISION OF LAND
Introduced By: Senators Pearson, and McKenney
Date Introduced: May 19, 2023
Referred To: Senate Housing & Municipal Government
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Sections 45-23-32, 45-23-36, 45-23-39, 45-23-49, 45-23-50, 45-23-50.1, 45-1
23-62 and 45-23-71 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-23 entitled "Subdivision of Land" are 2
hereby amended to read as follows: 3
45-23-32. Definitions Definitions -- Effective January 1, 2024. 4
Where words or phrases used in this chapter are defined in the definitions section of either 5
the Rhode Island Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Regulation Act, § 45-22.2-4, or the Rhode 6
Island Zoning Enabling Act of 1991, § 45-24-31, they have the meanings stated in those acts. 7
Additional words and phrases may be defined in local ordinances, regulations and rules under this 8
act. The words and phrases defined in this section, however, shall be controlling in all local 9
ordinances, regulations, and rules created under this chapter. See also § 45-23-34. In addition, the 10
following words and phrases have the following meanings: 11
(1) Administrative officer. The municipal official designated by the local regulations to 12
administer the land development and subdivision regulations and to coordinate with local boards 13
and commissions, municipal staff and state agencies. The administrative officer may be a member 14
of, or the chair, of the planning board, or an appointed official of the municipality. See § 45-23-55. 15
(2) Administrative subdivision. Re-subdivision of existing lots which yields no additional 16
lots for development, and involves no creation or extension of streets. The re-subdivision only 17
involves divisions, mergers, mergers and division, or adjustments of boundaries of existing lots. 18
(3) Board of appeal. The local review authority for appeals of actions of the administrative 19
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officer and the planning board on matters of land development or subdivision, which shall be the 1
local zoning board of review constituted as the board of appeal. See § 45-23-57. 2
(4)(3) Bond. See improvement guarantee. 3
(5)(4) Buildable lot. A lot where construction for the use(s) permitted on the site under the 4
local zoning ordinance is considered practicable by the planning board, considering the physical 5
constraints to development of the site as well as the requirements of the pertinent federal, state and 6
local regulations. See § 45-23-60(4). 7
(6)(5) Certificate of completeness. A notice issued by the administrative officer informing 8
an applicant that the application is complete and meets the requirements of the municipality’s 9
regulations, and that the applicant may proceed with the approval process. 10
(7)(6) Concept plan. A drawing with accompanying information showing the basic 11
elements of a proposed land development plan or subdivision as used for pre-application meetings 12
and early discussions, and classification of the project within the approval process. 13
(8)(7) Consistency with the comprehensive plan. A requirement of all local land use 14
regulations which means that all these regulations and subsequent actions are in accordance with 15
the public policies arrived at through detailed study and analysis and adopted by the municipality 16
as the comprehensive community plan as specified in § 45-22.2-3. 17
(9)(8) Dedication, fee-in-lieu-of. Payments of cash which are authorized in the local 18
regulations when requirements for mandatory dedication of land are not met because of physical 19
conditions of the site or other reasons. The conditions under which the payments will be allowed 20
and all formulas for calculating the amount shall be specified in advance in the local regulations. 21
See § 45-23-47. 22
(9) Development plan review. The process whereby authorized, local officials review the 23
site plans, maps, and other documentation of a development qualifying for this review as set forth 24
in § 45-23-50, to determine the compliance with the specific and objective standards of the 25
ordinance and/or regulations. 26
(10) Development regulation. Zoning, subdivision, land development plan, development 27
plan review, historic district, official map, flood plain regulation, soil erosion control or any other 28
governmental regulation of the use and development of land. 29
(11) Division of land. A subdivision. 30
(12) Environmental constraints. Natural features, resources, or land characteristics that are 31
sensitive to change and may require conservation measures or the application of special 32
development techniques to prevent degradation of the site, or may require limited development, or 33
in certain instances, may preclude development. See also physical constraints to development. 34
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(13) Final plan. The final stage of land development and subdivision review. See § 45-23-1
43. 2
(14) Final plat. The final drawing(s) of all or a portion of a subdivision to be recorded after 3
approval by the planning board and any accompanying material as described in the community’s 4
regulations and/or required by the planning board. 5
(15) Floor area, gross. See R.I. State Building Code. 6
(16) Governing body. The body of the local government, generally the city or town council, 7
having the power to adopt ordinances, accept public dedications, release public improvement 8
guarantees, and collect fees. 9
(17) Improvement. Any natural or built item which becomes part of, is placed upon, or is 10
affixed to, real estate. 11
(18) Improvement guarantee. A security instrument accepted by a municipality to ensure 12
that all improvements, facilities, or work required by the land development and subdivision 13
regulations, or required by the municipality as a condition of approval, will be completed in 14
compliance with the approved plans and specifications of a development. See § 45-23-46. 15
(19) Land-development project. A project in which one or more lots, tracts, or parcels of 16
land are developed or redeveloped as a coordinated site for one or more uses, units, or structures, 17
including, but not limited to, planned development or cluster development for residential, 18
commercial, institutional, recreational, open space, or mixed uses. 19
(19)(20) Local regulations. The land development and subdivision review regulations 20
adopted under the provisions of this act. For purposes of clarification, throughout this act, where 21
reference is made to local regulations, it is be understood as the land development and subdivision 22
review regulations and all related ordinances and rules properly adopted pursuant to this chapter. 23
(20)(21) Maintenance guarantee. Any security instrument which may be required and 24
accepted by a municipality to ensure that necessary improvements will function as required for a 25
specific period of time. See improvement guarantee. 26
(21)(22) Major land development plan. Any . The process by which a municipal planning 27
board or commission reviews a land development plan not classified as a minor land development 28
plan qualifying for this review under § 45-23-39. 29
(22)(23) Major subdivision. Any subdivision not classified as either an administrative 30
subdivision or a minor subdivision The process by which a municipal planning board or 31
commission reviews any subdivision qualifying for this review under § 45-23-39. 32
(23)(24) Master plan. An overall plan for a proposed project site outlining general, rather 33
than detailed, development intentions. It describes the basic parameters of a major development 34
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proposal, rather than giving full engineering details. Required in major land development or major 1
subdivision review only. See § 45-23-40. 2
(24) Minor land development plan. A development plan for a residential project as defined 3
in local regulations, provided that the development does not require waivers or modifications as 4
specified in this act. All nonresidential land development projects are considered major land 5
development plans. 6
(25) Minor subdivision. A plan for a subdivision of land consisting of five (5) or fewer 7
units or lots, provided that the subdivision does not require waivers or modifications as specified 8
in this chapter. 9
(26)(25) Modification of requirements. See § 45-23-62. 10
(27)(26) Parcel. A lot, or contiguous group of lots in single ownership or under single 11
control, and usually considered a unit for purposes of development. Also referred to as a tract. 12
(28)(27) Parking area or lot. All that portion of a development that is used by vehicles, the 13
total area used for vehicular access, circulation, parking, loading and unloading. 14
(29)(28) Permitting authority. The local agency of government specifically empowered by 15
state enabling law and local ordinance to hear and decide on specific matters pertaining to local 16
land use. 17
(30)(29) Phased development. Development, usually for large-scale projects, where 18
construction of public and/or private improvements proceeds by sections subsequent to approval 19
of a master plan for the entire site. See § 45-23-48. 20
(31)(30) Physical constraints to development. Characteristics of a site or area, either natural 21
or man-made, which present significant difficulties to construction of the uses permitted on that 22
site, or would require extraordinary construction methods. See also environmental constraints. 23
(32)(31) Planning board. The official planning agency of a municipality, whether 24
designated as the plan commission, planning commission, plan board, or as otherwise known. 25
(33)(32) Plat. A drawing or drawings of a land development or subdivision plan showing 26
the location, boundaries, and lot lines of individual properties, as well as other necessary 27
information as specified in the local regulations. 28
(34)(33) Pre-application conference. An initial meeting between developers and municipal 29
representatives which affords developers the opportunity to present their proposals informally and 30
to receive comments and directions from the municipal officials and others. See § 45-23-35. 31
(35)(34) Preliminary plan. The A required stage of land development and subdivision 32
review for formal development plan review, major land development review, comprehensive 33
permits and major subdivisions which generally requires detailed engineered drawings and all 34
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required state and federal permits. See § 45-23-41. 1
(36)(35) Public improvement. Any street or other roadway, sidewalk, pedestrian way, tree, 2
lawn, off-street parking area, drainage feature, or other facility for which the local government or 3
other governmental entity either is presently responsible, or will ultimately assume the 4
responsibility for maintenance and operation upon municipal acceptance. 5
(37)(36) Public informational meeting. A meeting of the planning board or governing body 6
preceded by a notice, open to the public and at which the public is heard. 7
(38)(37) Re-subdivision. Any change of an approved or recorded subdivision plat or in a 8
lot recorded in the municipal land evidence records, or that affects the lot lines of any areas reserved 9
for public use, or that affects any map or plan legally recorded prior to the adoption of the local 10
land development and subdivision regulations. For the purposes of this act any action constitutes a 11
subdivision. 12
(39)(38) Slope of land. The grade, pitch, rise or incline of the topographic landform or 13
surface of the ground. 14
(40)(39) Storm water detention. A provision for storage of storm water runoff and the 15
controlled release of the runoff during and after a flood or storm. 16
(41)(40) Storm water retention. A provision for storage of storm water runoff. 17
(42)(41) Street. A public or private thoroughfare used, or intended to be used, for passage 18
or travel by motor vehicles. Streets are further classified by the functions they perform. See street 19
classification. 20
(43)(42) Street, access to. An adequate and permanent way of entering a lot. All lots of 21
record shall have access to a public street for all vehicles normally associated with the uses 22
permitted for that lot. 23
(44)(43) Street, alley. A public or private thoroughfare primarily designed to serve as 24
secondary access to the side or rear of those properties whose principal frontage is on some other 25
street. 26
(45)(44) Street, cul-de-sac. A local street with only one outlet and having an appropriate 27
vehicular turnaround, either temporary or permanent, at the closed end. 28
(46)(45) Street, limited access highway. A freeway or expressway providing for through 29
traffic. Owners or occupants of abutting property on lands and other persons have no legal right to 30
access, except at the points and in the manner as may be determined by the public authority having 31
jurisdiction over the highway. 32
(47)(46) Street, private. A thoroughfare established as a separate tract for the benefit of 33
multiple, adjacent properties and meeting specific, municipal improvement standards. This 34
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definition does not apply to driveways. 1
(48)(47) Street, public. All public property reserved or dedicated for street traffic. 2
(49)(48) Street, stub. A portion of a street reserved to provide access to future development, 3
which may provide for utility connections. 4
(50)(49) Street classification. A method of roadway organization which identifies a street 5
hierarchy according to function within a road system, that is, types of vehicles served and 6
anticipated volumes, for the purposes of promoting safety, efficient land use and the design 7
character of neighborhoods and districts. Local classifications use the following as major 8
categories: 9
(a) Arterial. A major street that serves as an avenue for the circulation of traffic into, out 10
of, or around the municipality and carries high volumes of traffic. 11
(b) Collector. A street whose principal function is to carry traffic between local streets and 12
arterial streets but that may also provide direct access to abutting properties. 13
(c) Local. Streets whose primary function is to provide access to abutting properties. 14
(51)(50) Subdivider. Any person who (1) having an interest in land, causes it, directly or 15
indirectly, to be divided into a subdivision or who (2) directly or indirectly sells, leases, or develops, 16
or offers to sell, lease, or develop, or advertises to sell, lease, or develop, any interest, lot, parcel, 17
site, unit, or plat in a subdivision, or who (3) engages directly or through an agent in the business 18
of selling, leasing, developing, or offering for sale, lease, or development a subdivision or any 19
interest, lot, parcel, site, unit, or plat in a subdivision. 20
(52)(51) Subdivision. The division or re-division, of a lot, tract or parcel of land into two 21
or more lots, tracts, or parcels. Any adjustment to existing lot lines of a recorded lot by any means 22
is considered a subdivision. All re-subdivision activity is considered a subdivision. The division of 23
property for purposes of financing constitutes a subdivision. 24
(53)(52) Technical review committee. A committee appointed by the planning board for 25
the purpose of reviewing, commenting, and making recommendations to the planning board with 26
respect to approval of land development and subdivision applications. 27
(54)(53) Temporary improvement. Improvements built and maintained by a developer 28
during construction of a development project and prior to release of the improvement guarantee, 29
but not intended to be permanent. 30
(55)(54) Vested rights. The right to initiate or continue the development of an approved 31
project for a specified period of time, under the regulations that were in effect at the time of 32
approval, even if, after the approval, the regulations change prior to the completion of the project. 33
(56)(55) Waiver of requirements. See § 45-23-62. 34
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45-23-36. General provisions — Application for development and certification of 1
completeness General provisions -- Application for development and certification of 2
completeness -- Effective January 1, 2024. 3
(a) Classification. The (1) In accordance with this chapter the administrative officer shall 4
advise the applicant as to which approvals are category of approval is required and the appropriate 5
board for hearing an application for a land development or subdivision project. The following types 6
categories of applications, as defined in § 45-23-32, may be filed: 7
(1)(i) Administrative subdivision; 8
(2) Minor subdivision or minor land development plan (ii) Administrative or formal 9
development plan review; and 10
(3)(iii) Major subdivision or major land development plan. 11
(2) A development plan review application or major subdivision or major land 12
development application requiring relief from the zoning ordinance shall be reviewed by the 13
planning board under procedures for unified development review pursuant to §§ 45-23-50.1 and 14
45-24-46.4. 15
(b) Certification of a complete application. An application shall be complete for purposes 16
of commencing the applicable time period for action when so certified by the administrative officer. 17
Every certification of completeness required by this chapter shall be in writing. In the event the 18
certification of the application is not made within the time specified in this chapter for the type of 19
plan, the application is deemed complete for purposes of commencing the review period unless the 20
application lacks information required for these applications as specified in the local regulations 21
and the administrative officer has notified the applicant, in writing, of the deficiencies in the 22
application. 23
(c) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the planning board may 24
subsequently require correction of any information found to be in error and submission of 25
additional information specified in the regulations but not required by the administrative officer 26
prior to certification, as is necessary to make an informed decision. 27
(d) Where the review is postponed with the consent of the applicant, pending further 28
information or revision of information, the time period for review is stayed and resumes when the 29
administrative officer or the planning board determines that the required application information is 30
complete. 31
45-23-39. General provisions — Major land development and major subdivision 32
review stages General provisions -- Major land development and major subdivision review 33
stages -- Effective January 1, 2024. 34
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(a) Major plan review is required of all applications for land development and subdivision 1
approval subject to this chapter, unless classified as an administrative subdivision or as a minor 2
land development or a minor subdivision development plan review. 3
(b) Major plan review consists of three stages of review, master plan, preliminary plan and 4
final plan, following the pre-application meeting(s) specified in § 45-23-35. Also required is a 5
public informational meeting and a public meeting. 6
(c) The planning board may vote to combine review stages and to modify and/or waive 7
requirements as specified in § 45-23-62. Review stages may be combined only after the planning 8
board determines that all necessary requirements have been met by the applicant. 9
(d) All major land developments and major subdivisions requiring relief from the literal 10
use or dimensional requirements of a municipal zoning ordinance shall be reviewed as unified 11
development review pursuant to § 45-23-50.1. 12
45-23-49. Special provisions — Land development projects Special provisions -- Land 13
development projects -- Effective January 1, 2024. 14
(a) If municipalities Municipalities shall provide for the submission and approval of land 15
development projects, as defined in § 45-24-47 of the Rhode Island Zoning Enabling Act of 1991, 16
and the projects are subject to the local regulations. 17
(b) In these instances, the local regulations must include all requirements, procedures and 18
standards necessary for proper review and approval of land development projects to ensure 19
consistency with the intent and purposes of this chapter and with § 45-24-47 of the Rhode Island 20
Zoning Enabling Act of 1991. 21
45-23-50. Special provisions — Development plan review Special provisions -- 22
Development plan review -- Effective January 1, 2024. 23
(a) Municipalities may shall provide for development plan review, as defined in § 45-24-24
49 of the Rhode Island Zoning Enabling Act of 1991, to be subject to as part of the local regulations. 25
(b) In these instances, local regulations must include all requirements, procedures and standards 26
necessary for proper review and recommendations of projects subject to development plan review 27
to ensure consistency with the intent and purposes of this chapter and with § 45-24-49 of the Rhode 28
Island Zoning Enabling Act of 1991. 29
(b) Types of review. The following types of applications, which can include subdivisions, 30
re-subdivisions, adaptive reuse and land development projects are to be reviewed by a municipality 31
pursuant to development plan approval: 32
(1)(A) Administrative development plan review. The following application categories shall 33
be reviewed administratively by the administrative officer or technical review committee: 34
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(i) Any new one, two (2) or three (3) family residential structures; 1
(ii) All subdivisions which involve the creation of lots which comply with all zoning 2
requirements and design standards of local ordinances and regulations and do not result in the 3
creation or extension of a public roadway; 4
(iii) Accessory structures under twelve hundred square feet (1,200 sq. ft) of gross floor 5
area; 6
(iv) Exterior additions with a gross floor area of under one thousand feet (1,000'); 7
(v) Development plans for sites where less than two (2) acres shall be disturbed. The area 8
of disturbance shall include any temporary clearing or storage associated with construction related 9
activities; 10
(vi) Proposed development requiring fewer than twenty (20) parking spaces; and 11
(vii) Proposed development having less than fifty thousand square feet (50,000 sq. ft) of 12
new floor area. 13
(B) Notwithstanding anything in this chapter to the contrary, a municipality may utilize the 14
administrative development plan review process to review any use permitted by right which 15
complies with all other zoning standards for purposes of design review. 16
(2)(A) Formal development plan review. The following application categories shall be 17
reviewed by the municipal planning board: 18
(i) Commercial or industrial developments in which the total floor area is less than one 19
hundred thousand square feet (100,000 sq. ft); 20
(ii) Commercial or industrial projects permitted by right which do not seek relief from the 21
literal provisions of the zoning ordinance; 22
(iii) Mixed use developments in which the total floor area is less than two hundred thousand 23
square feet (200,000 sq. ft); 24
(iv) Multi-family development projects with less than fifty thousand square feet (50,000 25
sq. ft) of gross floor area: 26
(v) Adaptive reuse projects, as defined in § 42-64.22-2 and also those as provided for in § 27
45-24-37; and 28
(vi) Subdivisions which seek relief from the zoning ordinance or waivers from design 29
standards or which require the extension or creation of a public roadway. 30
(B) A planning board may waive requirements for adaptive reuse projects otherwise 31
qualifying for formal development plan approval where there is a change in use or occupancy and 32
no extensive construction of improvements is sought. The waiver may be granted only by a decision 33
by the planning board finding that the use will not affect existing drainage, circulation, relationship 34
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of buildings to each other, landscaping, buffering, lighting and other considerations of development 1
plan approval, and that the existing facilities do not require upgraded or additional site 2
improvements. The application for a waiver of development plan approval review shall include 3
documentation, as required by the planning board, on prior use of the site. the proposed use, and its 4
impact. 5
(C) Any project not meeting one of the categories in this section, including, but not limited 6
to, commercial or industrial projects permitted by right but requiring relief from the dimensional 7
provisions of the zoning ordinance, shall be reviewed as a major land development or major 8
subdivision project. as applicable. 9
(c) Submission requirements. Any applicant requesting approval of a proposed 10
development under this chapter, shall submit to the administrative officer the items required by the 11
local regulations. Requests for relief from the literal requirements of the zoning ordinance and/or 12
for the issuance of special-use permits or use variances related to projects qualifying for 13
development plan review shall be submitted and reviewed under unified development review 14
pursuant to § 45-23-50.1. State approvals and permits shall not be required until the final stage of 15
review. 16
(d) Certification. The application shall be certified, in writing, complete or incomplete by 17
the administrative officer within twenty-five (25) days or within fifteen (15) days if no street 18
creation or extension is required, and/or unified development review is not required, according to 19
the provisions of § 45-23-36(b). The running of the time period set forth in this section will be 20
deemed stopped upon the issuance of a written certificate of incompleteness of the application by 21
the administrative officer and will recommence upon the resubmission of a corrected application 22
by the applicant. However, in no event will the administrative officer be required to certify a 23
corrected submission as complete or incomplete less than fourteen (14) days after its resubmission. 24
If the administrative officer certifies the application as incomplete, the officer shall set forth in 25
writing with specificity the missing or incomplete items. 26
(e) Review stages. Administrative development plan review consists of one stage of 27
review, while formal development plan review consists of two (2) stages of review, preliminary 28
and final, provided that if a street creation or extension is involved, a public hearing is required. If 29
there are requests for variances of the zoning ordinance and/or special-use permits requested, the 30
project shall be reviewed as unified development review pursuant to § 45-23-50.1. The planning 31
board may combine the approval stages, providing requirements for both stages are met by the 32
applicant to the satisfaction of the planning officials. 33
(f) Decision and time for review. Applications under this chapter shall be reviewed under 34
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specific and objective criteria and standards established by local regulation. Local regulations must 1
include all requirements, procedures and standards necessary for proper review and 2
recommendations of projects subject to development plan review to ensure consistency with the 3
intent and purposes of this chapter and with § 45-24-49 of the Rhode Island zoning enabling act of 4
1991. 5
(1) Administrative development plan approval. An application shall be approved, denied, 6
or approved with conditions within twenty-five (25) days of the certificate of completeness or 7
within any further time that is agreed to in writing by the applicant and administrative officer. 8
(2) Formal development plan approval. 9
(i) Preliminary plan. Unless the application is reviewed under unified development review, 10
the planning board will approve, deny, or approve with conditions, the preliminary plan within 11
sixty-five (65) days of certification of completeness, or within any further time that is agreed to by 12
the applicant and the board. If a street extension or creation is required, the planning board will 13
hold a public hearing prior to approval according to the requirements in § 45-23-42 and will 14
approve, deny, or approve with conditions, the preliminary plan within ninety (90) days of 15
certification of completeness, or within any specified time that is agreed to in writing by the 16
applicant and the board. 17
(ii) Final Plan. For formal development plan approval, the planning board may delegate 18
final plan review and approval to either the administrative officer or the technical review 19
committee. The officer or committee will report its actions in writing to the planning board at its 20
next regular meeting, to be made part of the record. Final plan shall be approved or denied within 21
forty-five (45) days after the certification of completeness, or within a further amount of time that 22
may be consented to by the applicant, in writing. 23
(g) Failure to act. Failure of the administrative officer or the planning board to act within 24
the period prescribed constitutes approval of the preliminary plan and a certificate of the 25
administrative officer as to the failure to act within the required time and the resulting approval 26
shall be issued on request of the application. 27
(h) Vested rights. Approval of development plan review shall expire two (2) years from 28
the date of approval unless, within that period, a plat or plan, in conformity with approval, and as 29
defined in this act, is submitted for signature and recording as specified in § 45-23-64. Validity 30
may be extended for an additional period upon application to the administrative officer or planning 31
board, whichever entity approved the application, upon a showing of good cause. 32
(i) Modifications and changes to plans. 33
(1) Minor changes, as defined in the local regulations, to the plans approved at any stage 34
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may be approved administratively, by the administrative officer, whereupon final plan approval 1
may be issued. The changes may be authorized without additional public hearings, at the discretion 2
of the administrative officer. All changes shall be made part of the permanent record of the project 3
application. This provision does not prohibit the administrative officer from requesting a 4
recommendation from either the technical review committee or the local review board. Denial of 5
the proposed change(s) shall be referred to the local review board for review as a major change. 6
(2) Major changes, as defined in the local regulations, to the plans approved at any stage 7
may be approved only by the local review board and must follow the same review and public 8
hearing process required for approval of preliminary plans. 9
(3) The administrative officer shall notify the applicant in writing within fourteen (14) days 10
of submission of the final plan application if the administrative officer is referring the application 11
to the local review board under this subsection. 12
(j) Appeal. A rejection of the application for development plan review shall be considered 13
an appealable decision pursuant to § 45-23-71. 14
45-23-50.1. Special provisions — Unified development review Special provisions -- 15
Unified development review -- Effective January 1, 2024. 16
(a) When a A municipal zoning ordinance provides shall provide for unified development 17
review pursuant to § 45-24-46.4, and the local regulations must include procedures for the filing, 18
review, and approval of applications, pursuant to § 45-24-46.4 and this section. 19
(b) Review of variances and special-use permits projects submitted under the unified 20
development review provisions of the regulations shall adhere to the procedures, timeframes and 21
standards of the underlying category of project as listed in § 45-23-36, but shall also include the 22
following procedures: 23
(1) Minor subdivisions and land-development projects Developments subject to 24
development plan review pursuant to §§ 45-23-49 and 45-24-50. Requests for relief from the literal 25
requirements of the zoning ordinance and/or for the issuance of special-use permits related to minor 26
subdivisions and land-development projects development plan review projects shall be submitted 27
as part of the application materials for the preliminary plan stage of review. A public hearing on 28
the application, including any variance and special-use permit requests that meets the requirements 29
of subsection (c) of this section shall be held prior to consideration of the preliminary plan by the 30
planning board or commission. The planning board or commission shall conditionally approve or 31
deny the request(s) for the variance(s) and/or special-use permit(s) before considering the 32
preliminary plan application for the minor subdivision or land-development development plan 33
review project. Approval of the variance(s) and/or special-use permit(s) shall be conditioned on 34
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approval of the final plan of the minor subdivision or land-development development plan review 1
project. 2
(2) Major subdivisions and land-development projects — Master plan. Requests for relief 3
from the literal requirements of the zoning ordinance and/or for the issuance of a special-use permit 4
related to major subdivisions and land-development projects shall be submitted as part of the 5
application materials for the master plan stage of review. A public hearing on the application, 6
including any variance and special-use permit requests that meets the requirements of subsection 7
(c) of this section, shall be held prior to consideration of the master plan by the planning board or 8
commission. The planning board or commission shall conditionally approve or deny the requests 9
for the variance(s) and/or special-use permit(s) before considering the master plan application for 10
the major subdivision or land-development project. Approval of the variance(s) and/or special-use 11
permit(s) shall be conditioned on approval of the final plan of the major subdivision or land-12
development project. 13
(3) Major subdivisions and land-development projects — Preliminary plan. During the 14
preliminary plan stage of review, applicants shall have the ability to request alteration of any 15
variance(s) and/or special-use permit(s) granted by the planning board or commission during the 16
master plan stage of review, and/or to request new variance(s) and/or special-use permit(s), based 17
on the outcomes of the more detailed planning and design necessary for the preliminary plan. If 18
necessary, the applicant shall submit such requests and all supporting documentation along with 19
the preliminary plan application materials. A public hearing on the application, including any 20
alterations and new requests, that meets the requirements of subsection (c) of this section, shall be 21
held prior to consideration of the preliminary plan by the planning board or commission. The 22
planning board or commission shall conditionally approve, amend, or deny the requests for 23
alteration(s), new variance(s) and/or new special-use permit(s), before considering the preliminary 24
plan application for the major subdivision or land-development project. Approval of the 25
alteration(s), new variance(s), and/or new special-use permit(s) shall be conditioned on approval of 26
the final plan of the major subdivision or land-development project. If the planning board or 27
commission denies the request for alteration(s), new variance(s), and/or new special-use permit(s), 28
the planning board shall have the option of remanding the application back to the master plan stage 29
of review. Alternatively, if the planning board or commission denies the request for alteration(s), 30
new variance(s), and/or new special-use permit(s), the applicant may consent to an extension of the 31
decision period mandated by § 45-23-41(f) so that additional information can be provided and 32
reviewed by the board or commission. 33
(4)(c) Decision. The time periods by which the planning board or commission must 34
LC002501 - Page 14 of 32
approve or deny applications for variances and special-use permits under the unified development 1
review provisions of the local regulations shall be the same as the time periods by which the board 2
must make a decision on the applicable review stage of the subdivision or land-development 3
category of project under review. 4
(c)(d) All subdivision and land-development applications that include requests for 5
variances and/or special-use permits submitted under the development review provisions of the 6
regulations under this section shall require a singular public hearing, held pursuant to subsection 7
(b) of this section. All such public hearings must meet the following requirements: 8
(1) Public hearing notice shall adhere to the requirements found in § 45-23-42(b). 9
(2) The notice area for notice of the public hearing shall be specified in the local 10
regulations, and shall, at a minimum, include all property located in or within not less than two 11
hundred feet (200′) of the perimeter of the area included in the subdivision and/or land-development 12
project. Notice of the public hearing shall be sent by the administrative officer to the administrative 13
officer of an adjacent municipality if: (1) The notice area extends into the adjacent municipality; or 14
(2) The development site extends into the adjacent municipality; or (3) There is a potential for 15
significant negative impact on the adjacent municipality. Additional notice within watersheds shall 16
also be sent as required in § 45-23-53(b) and (c). 17
(3) Public notice shall indicate that dimensional variance(s), use variance(s) and/or special-18
use permit(s) are to be considered for the subdivision and/or land-development project. 19
(4) The cost of all public notice is to be borne by the applicant. 20
(d)(e) The time periods by which the planning board or commission must approve or deny 21
requests for variances and special-use permits under the unified development review provisions of 22
a zoning ordinance shall be the same as the time periods by which the board must make a decision 23
on the applicable review stage of the subdivision or land development underlying type of project 24
under review. 25
(f) The expiration of an approval of a variance or special use permit granted under this 26
section shall be the same as those set forth in the statute for the underlying type of project under 27
review. 28
(e) Requests (g) Decisions under this section including requests for the variance(s) and/or 29
special-use permits that are denied by the planning board or commission may be appealed to the 30
board of appeal pursuant to § 45-23-66 45-23-71. 31
45-23-62. Procedure — Waivers — Modifications and reinstatement of plans 32
Procedure -- Waivers -- Modifications and reinstatement of plans -- Effective January 1, 2024. 33
(a) Waiver of development plan approval. 34
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(1) A planning board may waive requirements for development plan approval where there 1
is a change in use or occupancy and no extensive construction of improvements is sought. The 2
waiver may be granted only by a decision by the planning board finding that the use will not affect 3
existing drainage, circulation, relationship of buildings to each other, landscaping, buffering, 4
lighting and other considerations of development plan approval, and that the existing facilities do 5
not require upgraded or additional site improvements. 6
(2) The application for a waiver of development plan approval review shall include 7
documentation, as required by the planning board, on prior use of the site, the proposed use, and its 8
impact. 9
(b) Waiver and/or modification of requirements. The planning board has the power to grant 10
waivers and/or modifications from the requirements for land development and subdivision approval 11
as may be reasonable and within the general purposes and intents of the provisions for local 12
regulations. The only grounds for waivers and/or modifications are where the literal enforcement 13
of one or more provisions of the regulations is impracticable and will exact undue hardship because 14
of peculiar conditions pertaining to the land in question or where waiver and/or modification is in 15
the best interest of good planning practice and/or design as evidenced by consistency with the 16
municipality’s comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance. 17
(c)(b) Local regulations shall include provisions for reinstatement of development 18
applications when the deadlines set in the local regulations and approval agreements for particular 19
actions are exceeded and the development application or approval is therefore rendered invalid. 20
Where an approval has expired, the local regulations shall specify the point in the review to which 21
the application may be reinstated. 22
(d)(c) Decision. The planning board shall approve, approve with conditions or deny the 23
request for either a waiver or modification as described in subsection (a) or (b) in this section, 24
according to the requirements of § 45-23-63. 25
45-23-71. Appeals to the superior court Appeals -- Effective January 1, 2024. 26
(a) An aggrieved party may appeal a decision of the board of appeal administrative officer 27
or planning board, to the superior court for the county in which the municipality is situated by filing 28
a complaint stating the reasons of appeal within twenty (20) days after the decision has been 29
recorded and posted in the office of the city or town clerk. The board of appeal administrative 30
officer or planning board shall file the original documents acted upon by it and constituting the 31
record of the case appealed from, or certified copies of the original documents, together with any 32
other facts that may be pertinent, with the clerk of the court within thirty (30) days after being 33
served with a copy of the complaint. When the complaint is filed by someone other than the original 34
LC002501 - Page 16 of 32
applicant or appellant, the original applicant or appellant and the members of the planning board 1
shall be made parties to the proceedings. The appeal does not stay proceedings upon the decision 2
appealed from, but the court may, in its discretion, grant a stay on appropriate terms and make any 3
other orders that it deems necessary for an equitable disposition of the appeal. 4
(b) The review shall be conducted by the superior court without a jury. The court shall 5
consider the record of the hearing before the planning board and, if it appear to the court that 6
additional evidence is necessary for the proper disposition of the matter, it may allow any party to 7
the appeal to present evidence in open court, which evidence, along with the report, shall constitute 8
the record upon which the determination of the court shall be made. 9
(c) The court shall not substitute its judgment for that of the planning board as to the weight 10
of the evidence on questions of fact. The court may affirm the decision of the board of appeal or 11
remand the case for further proceedings, or may reverse or modify the decision if substantial rights 12
of the appellant have been prejudiced because of findings, inferences, conclusions or decisions 13
which are: 14
(1) In violation of constitutional, statutory, ordinance or planning board regulations 15
provisions; 16
(2) In excess of the authority granted to the planning board by statute or ordinance; 17
(3) Made upon unlawful procedure; 18
(4) Affected by other error of law; 19
(5) Clearly erroneous in view of the reliable, probative, and substantial evidence of the 20
whole record; or 21
(6) Arbitrary or capricious or characterized by abuse of discretion or clearly unwarranted 22
exercise of discretion. 23
SECTION 2. Sections 45-24-31, 45-24-46.4, 45-24-47, 45-24-49 and 45-24-58 of the 24
General Laws in Chapter 45-24 entitled "Zoning Ordinances" are hereby amended to read as 25
follows: 26
45-24-31. Definitions Definitions -- Effective January 1 2024. 27
Where words or terms used in this chapter are defined in § 45-22.2-4 or 45-23-32, they 28
have the meanings stated in that section. In addition, the following words have the following 29
meanings. Additional words and phrases may be used in developing local ordinances under this 30
chapter; however, the words and phrases defined in this section are controlling in all local 31
ordinances created under this chapter: 32
(1) Abutter. One whose property abuts, that is, adjoins at a border, boundary, or point with 33
no intervening land. 34
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(2) Accessory dwelling unit (ADU). A residential living unit on the same parcel where the 1
primary use is a legally established single-unit or multi-unit dwelling. An ADU provides complete 2
independent living facilities for one or more persons. It may take various forms including, but not 3
limited to: a detached unit; a unit that is part of an accessory structure, such as a detached garage; 4
or a unit that is part of an expanded or remodeled primary dwelling. 5
(3) Accessory use. A use of land or of a building, or portion thereof, customarily incidental 6
and subordinate to the principal use of the land or building. An accessory use may be restricted to 7
the same lot as the principal use. An accessory use shall not be permitted without the principal use 8
to which it is related. 9
(4) Aggrieved party. An aggrieved party, for purposes of this chapter, shall be: 10
(i) Any person, or persons, or entity, or entities, who or that can demonstrate that his, her, 11
or its property will be injured by a decision of any officer or agency responsible for administering 12
the zoning ordinance of a city or town; or 13
(ii) Anyone requiring notice pursuant to this chapter. 14
(5) Agricultural land. “Agricultural land,” as defined in § 45-22.2-4. 15
(6) Airport hazard area. “Airport hazard area,” as defined in § 1-3-2. 16
(7) Applicant. An owner, or authorized agent of the owner, submitting an application or 17
appealing an action of any official, board, or agency. 18
(8) Application. The completed form, or forms, and all accompanying documents, exhibits, 19
and fees required of an applicant by an approving authority for development review, approval, or 20
permitting purposes. 21
(9) Buffer. Land that is maintained in either a natural or landscaped state, and is used to 22
screen or mitigate the impacts of development on surrounding areas, properties, or rights-of-way. 23
(10) Building. Any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or 24
occupancy. 25
(11) Building envelope. The three-dimensional space within which a structure is permitted 26
to be built on a lot and that is defined by regulations governing building setbacks, maximum height, 27
and bulk; by other regulations; or by any combination thereof. 28
(12) Building height. For a vacant parcel of land, building height shall be measured from 29
the average, existing-grade elevation where the foundation of the structure is proposed. For an 30
existing structure, building height shall be measured from average grade taken from the outermost 31
four (4) corners of the existing foundation. In all cases, building height shall be measured to the top 32
of the highest point of the existing or proposed roof or structure. This distance shall exclude spires, 33
chimneys, flag poles, and the like. For any property or structure located in a special flood hazard 34
LC002501 - Page 18 of 32
area, as shown on the official FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), or depicted on the 1
Rhode Island coastal resources management council (CRMC) suggested design elevation three foot 2
(3′) sea level rise (CRMC SDE 3 SLR) map as being inundated during a one-hundred-year (100) 3
storm, the greater of the following amounts, expressed in feet, shall be excluded from the building 4
height calculation: 5
(i) The base flood elevation on the FEMA FIRM plus up to five feet (5′) of any utilized or 6
proposed freeboard, less the average existing grade elevation; or 7
(ii) The suggested design elevation as depicted on the CRMC SDE 3 SLR map during a 8
one-hundred-year (100) storm, less the average existing grade elevation. CRMC shall reevaluate 9
the appropriate suggested design elevation map for the exclusion every ten (10) years, or as 10
otherwise necessary. 11
(13) Cluster. A site-planning technique that concentrates buildings in specific areas on the 12
site to allow the remaining land to be used for recreation, common open space, and/or preservation 13
of environmentally, historically, culturally, or other sensitive features and/or structures. The 14
techniques used to concentrate buildings shall be specified in the ordinance and may include, but 15
are not limited to, reduction in lot areas, setback requirements, and/or bulk requirements, with the 16
resultant open land being devoted by deed restrictions for one or more uses. Under cluster 17
development, there is no increase in the number of lots that would be permitted under conventional 18
development except where ordinance provisions include incentive bonuses for certain types or 19
conditions of development. 20
(14) Common ownership. Either: 21
(i) Ownership by one or more individuals or entities in any form of ownership of two (2) 22
or more contiguous lots; or 23
(ii) Ownership by any association (ownership may also include a municipality) of one or 24
more lots under specific development techniques. 25
(15) Community residence. A home or residential facility where children and/or adults 26
reside in a family setting and may or may not receive supervised care. This does not include halfway 27
houses or substance-use-disorder-treatment facilities. This does include, but is not limited to, the 28
following: 29
(i) Whenever six (6) or fewer children or adults with intellectual and/or developmental 30
disability reside in any type of residence in the community, as licensed by the state pursuant to 31
chapter 24 of title 40.1. All requirements pertaining to local zoning are waived for these community 32
residences; 33
(ii) A group home providing care or supervision, or both, to not more than eight (8) persons 34
LC002501 - Page 19 of 32
with disabilities, and licensed by the state pursuant to chapter 24 of title 40.1; 1
(iii) A residence for children providing care or supervision, or both, to not more than eight 2
(8) children, including those of the caregiver, and licensed by the state pursuant to chapter 72.1 of 3
title 42; 4
(iv) A community transitional residence providing care or assistance, or both, to no more 5
than six (6) unrelated persons or no more than three (3) families, not to exceed a total of eight (8) 6
persons, requiring temporary financial assistance, and/or to persons who are victims of crimes, 7
abuse, or neglect, and who are expected to reside in that residence not less than sixty (60) days nor 8
more than two (2) years. Residents will have access to, and use of, all common areas, including 9
eating areas and living rooms, and will receive appropriate social services for the purpose of 10
fostering independence, self-sufficiency, and eventual transition to a permanent living situation. 11
(16) Comprehensive plan. The comprehensive plan adopted and approved pursuant to 12
chapter 22.2 of this title and to which any zoning adopted pursuant to this chapter shall be in 13
compliance. 14
(17) Day care — Daycare center. Any other daycare center that is not a family daycare 15
home. 16
(18) Day care — Family daycare home. Any home, other than the individual’s home, in 17
which day care in lieu of parental care or supervision is offered at the same time to six (6) or less 18
individuals who are not relatives of the caregiver, but may not contain more than a total of eight 19
(8) individuals receiving day care. 20
(19) Density, residential. The number of dwelling units per unit of land. 21
(20) Development. The construction, reconstruction, conversion, structural alteration, 22
relocation, or enlargement of any structure; any mining, excavation, landfill, or land disturbance; 23
or any change in use, or alteration or extension of the use, of land. 24
(21) Development plan review. The process whereby authorized, local officials review the 25
site plans, maps, and other documentation of a development to determine the compliance with the 26
stated purposes and standards of the ordinance. See §§ 45-23-32 and 45-23-50. 27
(22) District. See “zoning-use district.” 28
(23) Drainage system. A system for the removal of water from land by drains, grading, or 29
other appropriate means. These techniques may include runoff controls to minimize erosion and 30
sedimentation during and after construction or development; the means for preserving surface and 31
groundwaters; and the prevention and/or alleviation of flooding. 32
(24) Dwelling unit. A structure, or portion of a structure, providing complete, independent 33
living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, 34
LC002501 - Page 20 of 32
cooking, and sanitation, and containing a separate means of ingress and egress. 1
(25) Extractive industry. The extraction of minerals, including: solids, such as coal and 2
ores; liquids, such as crude petroleum; and gases, such as natural gases. The term also includes 3
quarrying; well operation; milling, such as crushing, screening, washing, and flotation; and other 4
preparation customarily done at the extraction site or as a part of the extractive activity. 5
(26) Family member. A person, or persons, related by blood, marriage, or other legal 6
means, including, but not limited to, a child, parent, spouse, mother-in-law, father-in-law, 7
grandparents, grandchildren, domestic partner, sibling, care recipient, or member of the household. 8
(27) Floating zone. An unmapped zoning district adopted within the ordinance that is 9
established on the zoning map only when an application for development, meeting the zone 10
requirements, is approved. 11
(28) Floodplains, or Flood hazard area. As defined in § 45-22.2-4. 12
(29) Freeboard. A factor of safety expressed in feet above the base flood elevation of a 13
flood hazard area for purposes of floodplain management. Freeboard compensates for the many 14
unknown factors that could contribute to flood heights, such as wave action, bridge openings, and 15
the hydrological effect of urbanization of the watershed. 16
(30) Groundwater. “Groundwater” and associated terms, as defined in § 46-13.1-3. 17
(31) Halfway house. A residential facility for adults or children who have been 18
institutionalized for criminal conduct and who require a group setting to facilitate the transition to 19
a functional member of society. 20
(32) Hardship. See § 45-24-41. 21
(33) Historic district or historic site. As defined in § 45-22.2-4. 22
(34) Home occupation. Any activity customarily carried out for gain by a resident, 23
conducted as an accessory use in the resident’s dwelling unit. 24
(35) Household. One or more persons living together in a single-dwelling unit, with 25
common access to, and common use of, all living and eating areas and all areas and facilities for 26
the preparation and storage of food within the dwelling unit. The term “household unit” is 27
synonymous with the term “dwelling unit” for determining the number of units allowed within any 28
structure on any lot in a zoning district. An individual household shall consist of any one of the 29
following: 30
(i) A family, which may also include servants and employees living with the family; or 31
(ii) A person or group of unrelated persons living together. The maximum number may be 32
set by local ordinance, but this maximum shall not be less than three (3). 33
(36) Incentive zoning. The process whereby the local authority may grant additional 34
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development capacity in exchange for the developer’s provision of a public benefit or amenity as 1
specified in local ordinances. 2
(37) Infrastructure. Facilities and services needed to sustain residential, commercial, 3
industrial, institutional, and other activities. 4
(38) Land-development project. A project in which one or more lots, tracts, or parcels of 5
land are developed or redeveloped as a coordinated site for one or more uses, units, or structures, 6
including, but not limited to, planned development or cluster development for residential, 7
commercial, institutional, recreational, open space, or mixed uses as provided in the zoning 8
ordinance. 9
(39) Lot. Either: 10
(i) The basic development unit for determination of lot area, depth, and other dimensional 11
regulations; or 12
(ii) A parcel of land whose boundaries have been established by some legal instrument, 13
such as a recorded deed or recorded map, and that is recognized as a separate legal entity for 14
purposes of transfer of title. 15
(40) Lot area. The total area within the boundaries of a lot, excluding any street right-of-16
way, usually reported in acres or square feet. 17
(41) Lot area, minimum. The smallest land area established by the local zoning ordinance 18
upon which a use, building, or structure may be located in a particular zoning district. 19
(42) Lot building coverage. That portion of the lot that is, or may be, covered by buildings 20
and accessory buildings. 21
(43) Lot depth. The distance measured from the front lot line to the rear lot line. For lots 22
where the front and rear lot lines are not parallel, the lot depth is an average of the depth. 23
(44) Lot frontage. That portion of a lot abutting a street. A zoning ordinance shall specify 24
how noncontiguous frontage will be considered with regard to minimum frontage requirements. 25
(45) Lot line. A line of record, bounding a lot, that divides one lot from another lot or from 26
a public or private street or any other public or private space and shall include: 27
(i) Front: the lot line separating a lot from a street right-of-way. A zoning ordinance shall 28
specify the method to be used to determine the front lot line on lots fronting on more than one 29
street, for example, corner and through lots; 30
(ii) Rear: the lot line opposite and most distant from the front lot line, or in the case of 31
triangular or otherwise irregularly shaped lots, an assumed line at least ten feet (10′) in length 32
entirely within the lot, parallel to and at a maximum distance from, the front lot line; and 33
(iii) Side: any lot line other than a front or rear lot line. On a corner lot, a side lot line may 34
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be a street lot line, depending on requirements of the local zoning ordinance. 1
(46) Lot size, minimum. Shall have the same meaning as “minimum lot area” defined 2
herein. 3
(47) Lot, through. A lot that fronts upon two (2) parallel streets, or that fronts upon two 4
(2) streets that do not intersect at the boundaries of the lot. 5
(48) Lot width. The horizontal distance between the side lines of a lot measured at right 6
angles to its depth along a straight line parallel to the front lot line at the minimum front setback 7
line. 8
(49) Mere inconvenience. See § 45-24-41. 9
(50) Mixed use. A mixture of land uses within a single development, building, or tract. 10
(51) Modification. Permission granted and administered by the zoning enforcement officer 11
of the city or town, and pursuant to the provisions of this chapter to grant a dimensional variance 12
other than lot area requirements from the zoning ordinance to a limited degree as determined by 13
the zoning ordinance of the city or town, but not to exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of each of 14
the applicable dimensional requirements. 15
(52) Nonconformance. A building, structure, or parcel of land, or use thereof, lawfully 16
existing at the time of the adoption or amendment of a zoning ordinance and not in conformity with 17
the provisions of that ordinance or amendment. Nonconformance is of only two (2) types: 18
(i) Nonconforming by use: a lawfully established use of land, building, or structure that is 19
not a permitted use in that zoning district. A building or structure containing more dwelling units 20
than are permitted by the use regulations of a zoning ordinance is nonconformity by use; or 21
(ii) Nonconforming by dimension: a building, structure, or parcel of land not in compliance 22
with the dimensional regulations of the zoning ordinance. Dimensional regulations include all 23
regulations of the zoning ordinance, other than those pertaining to the permitted uses. A building 24
or structure containing more dwelling units than are permitted by the use regulations of a zoning 25
ordinance is nonconforming by use; a building or structure containing a permitted number of 26
dwelling units by the use regulations of the zoning ordinance, but not meeting the lot area per 27
dwelling unit regulations, is nonconforming by dimension. 28
(53) Overlay district. A district established in a zoning ordinance that is superimposed on 29
one or more districts or parts of districts. The standards and requirements associated with an overlay 30
district may be more or less restrictive than those in the underlying districts consistent with other 31
applicable state and federal laws. 32
(54) Performance standards. A set of criteria or limits relating to elements that a particular 33
use or process must either meet or may not exceed. 34
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(55) Permitted use. A use by right that is specifically authorized in a particular zoning 1
district. 2
(56) Planned development. A “land-development project,” as defined in subsection (38), 3
and developed according to plan as a single entity and containing one or more structures or uses 4
with appurtenant common areas. 5
(57) Plant agriculture. The growing of plants for food or fiber, to sell or consume. 6
(58) Preapplication conference. A review meeting of a proposed development held 7
between applicants and reviewing agencies as permitted by law and municipal ordinance, before 8
formal submission of an application for a permit or for development approval. 9
(59) Setback line or lines. A line, or lines, parallel to a lot line at the minimum distance of 10
the required setback for the zoning district in which the lot is located that establishes the area within 11
which the principal structure must be erected or placed. 12
(60) Site plan. The development plan for one or more lots on which is shown the existing 13
and/or the proposed conditions of the lot. 14
(61) Slope of land. The grade, pitch, rise, or incline of the topographic landform or surface 15
of the ground. 16
(62) Special use. A regulated use that is permitted pursuant to the special-use permit issued 17
by the authorized governmental entity, pursuant to § 45-24-42. Formerly referred to as a special 18
exception. 19
(63) Structure. A combination of materials to form a construction for use, occupancy, or 20
ornamentation, whether installed on, above, or below the surface of land or water. 21
(64) Substandard lot of record. Any lot lawfully existing at the time of adoption or 22
amendment of a zoning ordinance and not in conformance with the dimensional or area provisions 23
of that ordinance. 24
(65) Use. The purpose or activity for which land or buildings are designed, arranged, or 25
intended, or for which land or buildings are occupied or maintained. 26
(66) Variance. Permission to depart from the literal requirements of a zoning ordinance. 27
An authorization for the construction or maintenance of a building or structure, or for the 28
establishment or maintenance of a use of land, that is prohibited by a zoning ordinance. There are 29
only two (2) categories of variance, a use variance or a dimensional variance. 30
(i) Use variance. Permission to depart from the use requirements of a zoning ordinance 31
where the applicant for the requested variance has shown by evidence upon the record that the 32
subject land or structure cannot yield any beneficial use if it is to conform to the provisions of the 33
zoning ordinance. 34
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(ii) Dimensional variance. Permission to depart from the dimensional requirements of a 1
zoning ordinance, where the applicant for the requested relief has shown, by evidence upon the 2
record, that there is no other reasonable alternative way to enjoy a legally permitted beneficial use 3
of the subject property unless granted the requested relief from the dimensional regulations. 4
However, the fact that a use may be more profitable or that a structure may be more valuable after 5
the relief is granted are not grounds for relief. 6
(67) Waters. As defined in § 46-12-1(23). 7
(68) Wetland, coastal. As defined in § 45-22.2-4. 8
(69) Wetland, freshwater. As defined in § 2-1-20. 9
(70) Zoning certificate. A document signed by the zoning-enforcement officer, as required 10
in the zoning ordinance, that acknowledges that a use, structure, building, or lot either complies 11
with, or is legally nonconforming to, the provisions of the municipal zoning ordinance or is an 12
authorized variance or modification therefrom. 13
(71) Zoning map. The map, or maps, that are a part of the zoning ordinance and that 14
delineate the boundaries of all mapped zoning districts within the physical boundary of the city or 15
town. 16
(72) Zoning ordinance. An ordinance enacted by the legislative body of the city or town 17
pursuant to this chapter and in the manner providing for the adoption of ordinances in the city or 18
town’s legislative or home rule charter, if any, that establish regulations and standards relating to 19
the nature and extent of uses of land and structures; that is consistent with the comprehensive plan 20
of the city or town as defined in chapter 22.2 of this title; that includes a zoning map; and that 21
complies with the provisions of this chapter. 22
(73) Zoning-use district. The basic unit in zoning, either mapped or unmapped, to which 23
a uniform set of regulations applies, or a uniform set of regulations for a specified use. Zoning-use 24
districts include, but are not limited to: agricultural, commercial, industrial, institutional, open 25
space, and residential. Each district may include sub-districts. Districts may be combined. 26
45-24-46.4. Special provisions — Unified development review Special provisions -- 27
Unified development review -- Effective January 1, 2024. 28
(a) A zoning ordinance may shall provide that review and approval of dimensional 29
variances, use variances, and/or special-use permits for properties undergoing review by the 30
planning board or commission as land development or development plan review or major land 31
development or major subdivision projects pursuant to § 45-23-36, be conducted and decided by 32
the planning board or commission in conjunction with and simultaneous with the review process 33
for the development plan review, major land development or major subdivision, as applicable. This 34
LC002501 - Page 25 of 32
process is to be known as unified development review. 1
(b) If unified development review is desired, such review must be enabled within the 2
zoning ordinance, in accordance with this section, and the The local subdivision and land-3
development regulations must be brought into conformance, shall provide for the application and 4
review process pursuant to § 45-23-50.1. 5
(c) A zoning ordinance that provides for unified development review shall: 6
(1) Specify which types of zoning approval Empower the planning board or commission 7
shall be empowered to grant for which types of projects zoning relief; and 8
(2) Provide that any person, group, agency, or corporation that files an application for an 9
included land development or subdivision project may shall also file specific requests for relief 10
from the literal requirements of a zoning ordinance on the subject property, pursuant to § 45-24-11
41, and/or for the issuance of special-use permits for the subject property, pursuant to § 45-24-42, 12
by including such within the application to the administrative officer of the planning board or 13
commission with the other required application materials, pursuant to § 45-23-50.1(b). 14
(d) A zoning ordinance that provides for unified development review may specify design, 15
use, public benefit, or other relevant criteria that must be met in order for an application to qualify 16
for review under the unified development review provisions of the zoning ordinance. Certification 17
as to whether an application meets the established criteria shall be conducted in conjunction with, 18
and following the time lines outlined for, certification of completeness of the application, pursuant 19
to §§ 45-23-38(c), 45-23-40(b), or 45-23-41(b). 20
(e) All land development and subdivision applications that include requests for variances 21
and/or special-use permits submitted pursuant to this section shall require a public hearing that 22
meets the requirements of §§ 45-23-50.1(b) and 45-23-50.1(c). 23
(f) In granting requests for dimensional and use variances, the planning board or 24
commission shall be bound to the requirements of §§ 45-24-41(d) and 45-24-41(e) § 45-24-41 25
relative to entering evidence into the record in satisfaction of the applicable standards. 26
(g) In reviewing requests for special-use permits, the planning board or commission shall 27
be bound to the conditions and procedures under which a special-use permit may be issued and the 28
criteria for the issuance of such permits, as found within the zoning ordinance pursuant to §§ 45-29
24-42(b)(1), 45-24-42(b)(2) and 45-24-42(b)(3) § 45-24-42, and shall be required to provide for 30
the recording of findings of fact and written decisions as described in the zoning ordinance pursuant 31
to § 45-24-42(b)(5) 45-24-42. 32
(h) An appeal from any decision made pursuant to this section may be taken pursuant to § 33
45-23-66 45-23-71. 34
LC002501 - Page 26 of 32
45-24-47. Special provisions — Land development projects Special provisions -- Land 1
development projects -- Effective January 1, 2024. 2
(a) A zoning ordinance may shall provide for land development projects which are projects 3
in which one or more lots, tracts, or parcels of land are to be developed or redeveloped as a 4
coordinated site for a complex of uses, units, or structures, including, but not limited to, planned 5
development and/or cluster development for residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, 6
recreational, open space, and/or mixed uses as may be provided for in the zoning ordinance. 7
(b) A zoning ordinance adopted pursuant to this chapter which permits or requires the 8
creation of land development projects in one or more zoning districts shall require that any land 9
development project is referred to the city or town planning board or commission for approval shall 10
be reviewed, in accordance with the procedures established by chapter 23 of this title, including 11
those for appeal and judicial review, and with any ordinances or regulations adopted pursuant to 12
the procedures, whether or not the land development project constitutes a “subdivision”, as defined 13
in chapter 23 of this title. No land development project shall be initiated until a plan of the project 14
has been submitted to the planning board or commission and approval has been granted by the 15
planning board or commission. In reviewing, hearing, and deciding upon a land development 16
project, the city or town planning board or commission may be empowered to allow zoning 17
incentives within the project; provided, that standards for the adjustments incentives are described 18
in the zoning ordinance, and may be empowered to apply any special conditions and stipulations 19
to the approval that may, in the opinion of the planning board or commission, be required to 20
maintain harmony with neighboring uses and promote the objectives and purposes of the 21
comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance. 22
(c) In regulating land development projects, an ordinance adopted pursuant to this chapter 23
may include, but is not limited to, regulations governing the following: 24
(1) A minimum area or site size for a land development project; 25
(2) Uses to be permitted within the development; 26
(3) Ratios of residential to nonresidential uses where applicable; 27
(4) Maximum density per lot and maximum density for the entire development, with ; 28
(5) Roads, driveways, utilities, parking, and other facilities; regulations may distinguish 29
between those facilities intended to remain in private ownership or to be dedicated to the public; 30
and 31
(6) Buffer areas, landscaping, screening, and shading. 32
(d) In regulating land development projects, an ordinance adopted pursuant to this chapter 33
shall include provisions for zoning incentives which include the adjustment of applicable lot density 34
LC002501 - Page 27 of 32
and dimensional standards where open space is to be permanently set aside for public or common 1
use, and/or where the physical characteristics, location, or size of the site require an adjustment, 2
and/or where the location, size, and type of housing, commercial, industrial, or other use require an 3
adjustment, and/or where housing for low and moderate income families is to be provided, or where 4
other amenities not ordinarily required are provided, as stipulated in the zoning ordinance. 5
Provision may be made for adjustment of applicable lot density and dimensional standards for 6
payment or donation of other land or facilities in lieu of an on-site provision of an amenity that 7
would, if provided on-site, enable an adjustment; 8
(5) Roads, driveways, utilities, parking, and other facilities; regulations may distinguish 9
between those facilities intended to remain in private ownership or to be dedicated to the public; 10
and 11
(6) Buffer areas, landscaping, screening, and shading. 12
(d)(e)(1) A zoning ordinance requiring open land in a cluster development or other land 13
development project for public or common use, shall provide that such open land either: (i) be 14
conveyed to the city or town and accepted by it for park, open space, agricultural, or other specified 15
use or uses, or (ii) be conveyed to a nonprofit organization, the principal purpose of which is the 16
conservation of open space or resource protection, or (iii) be conveyed to a corporation or trust 17
owned or to be owned by the owners of lots or units within the development, or owners of shares 18
within a cooperative development. If such a corporation or trust is used, ownership shall pass with 19
conveyances of the lots or units, or (iv) remain in private ownership if the use is limited to 20
agriculture, habitat or forestry, and the city or town has set forth in its community comprehensive 21
plan and zoning ordinance that private ownership is necessary for the preservation and management 22
of the agricultural, habitat or forest resources. 23
(2) In any case where the land is not conveyed to the city or town: 24
(i) A restriction, in perpetuity, enforceable by the city or town or by any owner of property 25
in the cluster or other land development project in which the land is located shall be recorded 26
providing that the land is kept in the authorized condition(s) and not built upon or developed for 27
accessory uses such as parking or roadway; and 28
(ii) The developmental rights and other conservation easements on the land may be held, 29
in perpetuity, by a nonprofit organization, the principal purpose of which is the conservation of 30
open space or resource protection. 31
(3) All open space land provided by a cluster development or other land development 32
project shall be subject to a community approved management plan that will specify the permitted 33
uses for the open space. 34
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45-24-49. Special provisions — Development plan review Special provisions -- 1
Development plan review -- Effective January 1 2024. 2
(a) A zoning ordinance may shall permit development plan review of applications for uses 3
requiring a special-use permit, a variance, a zoning ordinance amendment, and/or a zoning map 4
change. The review shall be conducted by the planning board or commission and shall be advisory 5
to the permitting authority pursuant to § 45-23-50. 6
(b) A zoning ordinance may permit development plan review of applications for uses that 7
are permitted by right under the zoning ordinance, but the review shall only be based on specific 8
and objective guidelines which must be stated in the zoning ordinance. The review body shall also 9
be set forth in and be established by the zoning ordinance. A rejection of the application shall be 10
considered an appealable decision pursuant to § 45-24-64. 11
(c) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to permit waivers of any regulations unless 12
approved by the permitting authority pursuant to the local ordinance and this act. 13
45-24-58. Administration — Application procedure Administration -- Application 14
procedure -- Effective January 1, 2024. 15
The zoning ordinance establishes the various application procedures necessary for the 16
filing of appeals, requests for variances, special-use permits, development plan reviews, site plan 17
reviews, and other applications that may be specified in the zoning ordinance as allowed by this 18
chapter, with the zoning board of review, consistent with the provisions of this chapter. The zoning 19
ordinance provides for the creation of appropriate forms, and for the submission and resubmission 20
requirements, for each type of application required. A zoning ordinance may establish that a time 21
period of a certain number of months is required to pass before a successive similar application 22
may be filed. 23
SECTION 3. Sections 45-23-38, 45-23-57, 45-23-67, 45-23-68, 45-23-69 and 45-23-70 of 24
the General Laws in Chapter 45-23 entitled "Subdivision of Land" are hereby repealed effective 25
January 1, 2024. 26
45-23-38. General provisions — Minor land development and minor subdivision 27
review. 28
(a) Review stages. Minor plan review consists of two (2) stages, preliminary and final; 29
provided, that if a street creation or extension is involved, or a request for variances and/or special-30
use permits are submitted, pursuant to the regulation’s unified development review provisions, a 31
public hearing is required. The planning board may combine the approval stages, providing 32
requirements for both stages are met by the applicant to the satisfaction of the planning officials. 33
(b) Submission requirements. Any applicant requesting approval of a proposed, minor 34
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subdivision or minor land development, as defined in this chapter, shall submit to the administrative 1
officer the items required by the local regulations. Requests for relief from the literal requirements 2
of the zoning ordinance and/or for the issuance of special-use permits related to minor subdivisions 3
and/or minor land-development projects that are submitted under a zoning ordinance’s unified 4
development review provisions shall be included as part of the preliminary plan application, 5
pursuant to § 45-23-50.1(b). 6
(c) Certification. The application shall be certified, in writing, complete or incomplete by 7
the administrative officer within twenty-five (25) days or within fifteen (15) days if no street 8
creation or extension is required, and/or unified development review is not requested, according to 9
the provisions of § 45-23-36(b). The running of the time period set forth in this section will be 10
deemed stopped upon the issuance of a certificate of incompleteness of the application by the 11
administrative officer and will recommence upon the resubmission of a corrected application by 12
the applicant. However, in no event will the administrative officer be required to certify a corrected 13
submission as complete or incomplete less than fourteen (14) days after its resubmission. 14
(d) Technical review committee. The technical review committee, if established, will 15
review the application and will comment and make recommendations to the planning board. The 16
application will be referred to the planning board as a whole if there is no technical review 17
committee. When reviewed by a technical review committee: 18
(1) If the land-development or subdivision application does not include a request for unified 19
development review and the plan is approved by a majority of the committee members, the 20
application is forwarded to the planning board with a recommendation for preliminary plan 21
approval without further review. 22
(2) If the plan is not approved by a majority vote of the committee members, or the 23
application includes a request for unified development review, the minor land-development and 24
subdivision application is referred to the planning board. 25
(e) Re-assignment to major review. The planning board may re-assign a proposed minor 26
project to major review only when the planning board is unable to make the positive findings 27
required in § 45-23-60. 28
(f) Decision. If no street creation or extension is required, the planning board will approve, 29
deny, or approve with conditions, the preliminary plan within sixty-five (65) days of certification 30
of completeness, or within any further time that is agreed to by the applicant and the board, 31
according to the requirements of §§ 45-23-60 and 45-23-63. If a street extension or creation is 32
required, the planning board will hold a public hearing prior to approval according to the 33
requirements in § 45-23-42 and will approve, deny, or approve with conditions, the preliminary 34
LC002501 - Page 30 of 32
plan within ninety-five (95) days of certification of completeness, or within any specified time that 1
is agreed to by the applicant and the board, according to the requirements of §§ 45-23-60 and 45-2
23-63. 3
(g) Failure to act. Failure of the planning board to act within the period prescribed 4
constitutes approval of the preliminary plan and a certificate of the administrative officer as to the 5
failure of the planning board to act within the required time and the resulting approval will be issued 6
on request of the application. 7
(h) Final plan. The planning board may delegate final plan review and approval to either 8
the administrative officer or the technical review committee. The officer or committee will report 9
its actions, in writing to the planning board at its next regular meeting, to be made part of the record. 10
(i) Expiration of approval. Approval of a minor land-development or subdivision plan 11
expires ninety (90) days from the date of approval unless, within that period, a plat or plan, in 12
conformity with approval, and as defined in this act, is submitted for signature and recording as 13
specified in § 45-23-64. Validity may be extended for a longer period, for cause shown, if requested 14
by the application in writing, and approved by the planning board. 15
45-23-57. Administration — The board of appeal. 16
The city or town council shall establish the city or town zoning board of review as the 17
board of appeal to hear appeals of decisions of the planning board or the administrative officer on 18
matters of review and approval of land development and subdivision projects. 19
45-23-67. Appeals — Process of appeal. 20
(a) An appeal to the board of appeal from a decision or action of the planning board or 21
administrative officer may be taken by an aggrieved party to the extent provided in § 45-23-66. 22
The appeal must be taken within twenty (20) days after the decision has been recorded in the city’s 23
or town’s land evidence records and posted in the office of the city or town clerk. 24
(b) The appeal shall be in writing and state clearly and unambiguously the issue or decision 25
that is being appealed, the reason for the appeal, and the relief sought. The appeal shall either be 26
sent by certified mail, with a return receipt requested, or be hand-delivered to the board of appeal. 27
The city or town clerk shall accept delivery of an appeal on behalf of the board of appeal, if the 28
local regulations governing land development and subdivision review so provide. 29
(c) Upon receipt of an appeal, the board of appeal shall require the planning board or 30
administrative officer to immediately transmit to the board of appeal, all papers, documents and 31
plans, or a certified copy thereof, constituting the record of the action which is being appealed. 32
45-23-68. Appeals — Stay of proceedings. 33
An appeal stays all proceedings in furtherance of the action being appealed. 34
LC002501 - Page 31 of 32
45-23-69. Appeals — Public hearing. 1
(a) The board of appeal shall hold a public hearing on the appeal within forty-five (45) days 2
of the receipt of the appeal, give public notice of the hearing, as well as due notice to the parties of 3
interest. At the hearing any party may appear in person, or be represented by an agent or attorney. 4
The board shall render a decision within ten (10) days of the close of the public hearing. The cost 5
of any notice required for the hearing shall be borne by the applicant. 6
(b) The board of appeal shall only hear appeals of the actions of a planning board or 7
administrative officer at a meeting called especially for the purpose of hearing the appeals and 8
which has been so advertised. 9
(c) The hearing, which may be held on the same date and at the same place as a meeting of 10
the zoning board of review, must be held as a separate meeting from any zoning board of review 11
meeting. Separate minutes and records of votes as required by § 45-23-70(d) shall be maintained 12
by the board of appeal. 13
45-23-70. Appeals — Standards of review. 14
(a) As established by this chapter, in instances of a board of appeal’s review of a planning 15
board or administrative officer’s decision on matters subject to this chapter, the board of appeal 16
shall not substitute its own judgment for that of the planning board or the administrative officer but 17
must consider the issue upon the findings and record of the planning board or administrative officer. 18
The board of appeal shall not reverse a decision of the planning board or administrative officer 19
except on a finding of prejudicial procedural error, clear error, or lack of support by the weight of 20
the evidence in the record. 21
(b) The concurring vote of three (3) of the five (5) members of the board of appeal sitting 22
at a hearing, is necessary to reverse any decision of the planning board or administrative officer. 23
(c) In the instance where the board of appeal overturns a decision of the planning board or 24
administrative officer, the proposed project application is remanded to the planning board or 25
administrative officer, at the stage of processing from which the appeal was taken, for further 26
proceedings before the planning board or administrative officer and/or for the final disposition, 27
which shall be consistent with the board of appeal’s decision. 28
(d) The board of appeal shall keep complete records of all proceedings including a record 29
of all votes taken, and shall put all decisions on appeals in writing. The board of appeal shall include 30
in the written record the reasons for each decision. 31
SECTION 4. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2024. 32
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO TOWNS AN D CITIES -- SUBDIVISION OF LAND
***
This act would amend the provisions relative to the subdivision of land and the application 1
process requesting relief from zoning ordinances and the review process thereof. 2
This act would take effect on January 1, 2024. 3
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