Rhode Island House Bill H6183

Rhode Island 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/4/25
• Refer: 4/4/25

Caption

Allows the town of Tiverton, with an aggregate of five hundred (500) or more units proposed in a comprehensive permit project, to enact a short-term emergency moratorium until the permit laws are amended.

Impact

The adoption of H6183 means that Tiverton will have the ability to pause the processing of new housing applications during times of significant proposed developments. This shutdown on new permits could provide the town the necessary time to amend existing permit laws or adapt to the growing demand for low and moderate income housing. The bill signifies a shift in local governance, allowing for strategic pauses in development that could help ensure that housing growth meets community needs.

Summary

House Bill H6183 focuses on addressing housing development challenges in the town of Tiverton. The bill permits Tiverton to enact an emergency moratorium if a substantial number of housing units—specifically five hundred or more—are proposed under comprehensive permit projects. This legislative measure aims to empower the town to manage and regulate housing development more effectively in response to significant proposals, potentially affecting the landscape of low and moderate income housing in the area.

Contention

While the bill seeks to provide a regulatory framework to manage housing challenges in Tiverton, it may generate contention among developers and local residents. On one hand, advocates for the bill might argue that it protects the town from overdevelopment and allows for necessary adjustments to housing strategy. On the other hand, critics of such moratoriums could assert that they may hinder crucial housing projects, exacerbate housing shortages, and lead to negative economic repercussions for the region.