Substitute Senate Bill No. 1313 seeks to facilitate housing development within a half-mile radius of public transit stations by mandating that municipalities allow for "as of right" housing developments with a minimum density of fifteen dwelling units per acre. This means that such developments can be approved without public hearings or special permits, provided they meet specific criteria. The bill also establishes parking requirements and outlines exemptions for certain lands, such as roadways and wetlands. Key changes 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.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that municipalities cannot impose conditions on manufactured homes that differ significantly from those applied to single-family or multifamily dwellings. It prohibits municipalities from setting a fixed numerical or percentage cap on the number of dwelling units in multifamily housing or mixed-use developments and restricts parking requirements for smaller units unless municipalities opt out. The legislation requires municipalities to align their regulations with the bill's provisions by October 1, 2026, or face having noncompliant regulations deemed void. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the housing development process in transit-oriented areas while maintaining protections for existing uses and structures.

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