Substitute Senate Bill No. 1313 seeks to facilitate housing development within a half-mile radius of public transit stations by mandating that municipalities allow housing projects with a minimum density of fifteen dwelling units per acre to be approved "as of right," meaning without public hearings or special permits. The bill outlines specific parking requirements for these developments and identifies certain lands, such as roadways and wetlands, that are exempt from these housing regulations. Additionally, it establishes a deadline of October 1, 2026, for municipalities to adopt or amend their zoning regulations to comply with the new provisions.

Key changes in the bill include the repeal and replacement of subsection (d) of section 8-2 of the general statutes, which prohibits municipalities from imposing unreasonable costs or delays on housing developments and ensures that nonconforming uses can continue without unnecessary restrictions. The bill also clarifies that municipalities cannot impose conditions that differ significantly for manufactured homes compared to other types of dwellings. Furthermore, it prevents municipalities from setting a density cap on multifamily housing or mixed-use developments and restricts parking requirements for smaller units unless the municipality opts out. If local regulations are not compliant by the deadline, they will be deemed void, and municipalities must adhere to the bill's stipulations for approving housing applications.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 8-2
PD Joint Favorable: 8-2
File No. 255: 8-2