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State Land Use Enacted Legislation
| Bill # | State | Year | Party | Topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
S1032/H6059 |
RI | 2023 | D | By-right zoning, Deadlines, Density Increases, Lot Size Requirements, Other streamlining, Streamline application, Written findings, burden and standard of proof |
Provided by Furman
Summary
- Provides that lots that became substandard following the adoption or amendment of a zoning ordinance shall not be required to seek zoning relief based only on the failure to meet minimum lot size requirements. The setback, frontage, and/or lot width requirements for a structure under this section shall be reduced, and the maximum building coverage requirements shall be increased by the same proportion as the substandard lot area is to the minimum lot area requirement of the zoning district.
- Revises evidentiary requirements for granting a variance.
- Requires that ordinances which provide for the issuance of special-use permits establish “specific and objective criteria” for each use category, in conformance with the purposes and intent of the comprehensive plan and city or town zoning ordinance. If the ordinance does not contain specific and objective criteria for the issuance of a category of special use permit, uses in that category are permitted as of right.
- Requires municipalities to provide for the issuance of modifications, with certain guidelines. In the case of a modification of 5% or less, the zoning enforcement officer (ZEO) is granted authority to issue a permit approving the modification without any public notice requirements. In the case of a modification greater than 5%, the bill shortens the required period the ZEO must wait for response to public notice from 30 days to fourteen. If an objection is received in response to public notice, the modification is scheduled for a hearing before the zoning board of review.
Provided by lawmakers
Bill Title
AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES–ZONING ORDINANCES
Related resources
Enacted Legislation Related Posts
Research and analysis from the Furman Center on this and related housing policy topics.
