Rhode Island 2025 Regular Session

Rhode Island House Bill H5794

Introduced
2/27/25  
Refer
2/27/25  

Caption

Provides technical amendments to the chapters on subdivision of land and zoning ordinances for towns and cities.

Impact

The legislation primarily impacts how planning boards operate and the criteria used for evaluating land development applications. It emphasizes the need for comprehensively addressing zoning and land use regulations while providing clear guidelines for affordable housing within municipalities. By mandating density bonuses and incentives for affordable housing, H5794 seeks to enhance housing availability and address issues of affordability within the community.

Summary

House Bill H5794 is designed to implement technical amendments to the existing chapters concerning the subdivision of land and zoning ordinances applicable to towns and cities. These amendments aim to streamline processes and clarify responsibilities for local planning boards and zoning commissions, ensuring that they have the appropriate powers to manage land development effectively. The intent behind H5794 is to facilitate development projects while maintaining community standards and regulations.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounds the provisions of inclusionary zoning, which mandates that a certain percentage of affordable housing units must be included in new developments. Critics argue that this could impose undue burdens on developers and potentially slow down the overall housing development process. Additionally, the modifications to variance processes and the treatment of substandard lots could lead to unintended consequences regarding the quality and character of development in affected areas.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

RI H6179

Requires the Rhode Island housing authority to update the count of affordable housing stock in the town of Tiverton two (2) times per year.

RI S0570

Establishes a speed limit for school buses being driven on a limited access highway to ten miles per hour (10mph) less than the posted speed limit.

RI S0528

Amends the general law relative to right-of-way of pedestrians to reference the schedule of violations for the adjudication of traffic offenses contained in § 31-41.1-4.

RI H5898

Amends the general law relative to right-of-way of pedestrians to reference the schedule of violations for the adjudication of traffic offenses contained in § 31-41.1-4.

RI H6180

Ensures that minimum egress requirements for conventional subdivisions in Tiverton apply equally to comprehensive permit applications and cannot be waived, modified, or reduced for such applications.

RI H5338

Requires at least one certified school psychologist per every five hundred (500) students be employed at each school system.

RI H6113

Allows Nunzio Pontillo to join Andrew Peter Carson and Christos Nelson Anastasopoulos in marriage on or about May 10, 2025, within the City of Newport, Rhode Island.

RI S0755

Designates as the state music, the genre of rhythm and blues which contains elements of pop, soul, funk, hip-hop, and electronic music.

Similar Bills

RI H5799

Provides that minor subdivisions would include oversized lot subdivisions under certain circumstances and relative to zoning ordinances, permit a modification to allow "neighborhood character-based modifications" under certain circumstances.

RI S0504

Requires cities and towns to permit attached single-family dwellings in any residential zoning districts and each such dwelling would be entitled to its own parcel thorough subdivision regardless lot size or base zone standards.

VA SB721

Local government actions related to comprehensive plans, etc.; approval process.

RI S0276

Amends several sections of chapter 24 of title 45, entitled "zoning ordinances," also known as the "Rhode Island zoning enabling act of 1991," with the intent of preserving neighborhood character and promoting smart growth.

RI H5801

Amends several definitions relating to low- or moderate-income housing as well as the procedure for the approval of low- or moderate-income housing.

AZ SB1353

Municipal development; permits; review

RI S0503

Create a process to establish a low- or moderate-income housing that exceeds sixty (60) units.

MN HF2018

Multifamily and mixed-use development municipal zoning authority limited.