The "Prohibition of Single-Family Zoning in Urban Growth Boundaries Act of 2023" aims to promote the development of higher-density housing within urban areas by prohibiting single-family zoning. It requires municipalities with populations of 20,000 or more to permit various types of middle housing, such as duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, cottage clusters, and townhouses, in residential zones that currently allow detached single-family homes. The bill allows local governments to regulate the siting and design of middle housing but prohibits regulations that would unreasonably increase costs or delay development. Municipalities must update their land use regulations or comprehensive plans by June 30, 2024, to comply with the bill's provisions, and the state building code standards committee is tasked with developing a model middle housing ordinance by December 31, 2023. The bill also provides for extensions in areas with significant deficiencies in infrastructure services and outlines the process for requesting and granting such extensions.

The bill amends the Rhode Island Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Act, requiring comprehensive plans to have a minimum 20-year planning timeframe and to be internally consistent, with detailed goals and policies. New insertions include the requirement for housing analysis by type and density, consideration of market factors, and accommodation of all factors in the section. Municipalities must maintain a single, accessible version of their comprehensive plan and update it at least once every ten years. The bill also modifies the approval process for low- or moderate-income housing construction, allowing for a single comprehensive permit application and detailing the application and review process, including timelines and public hearing requirements. Additionally, the bill includes insertions regarding the use of U.S. Census Bureau data for housing needs estimates and criteria for local review board decisions on permit applications. It also sets conditions for the expiration of comprehensive permits and limits the number of units for-profit developers can apply for annually, with a moratorium on new applications from for-profit developers until July 1, 2005.

Statutes affected:
307: 45-53-4, 23-27.3-105.3