The bill proposes amendments to sections 45-24-33 and 45-24-37 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-24, which govern zoning ordinances. The amendments introduce new requirements for zoning ordinances, including regulations for land and structure use, environmental performance standards, public services, natural resource protection, energy conservation, economic development, public health and safety, and fair housing practices. Specific regulations for drive-through windows are also included. The bill mandates the inclusion of development incentives for community benefits, the establishment of mixed residential-commercial use zoning districts, and by-right duplexes and multifamily development by May 15, 2025. It requires municipalities to notify state officials of zoning amendments within ten days of passage and allows for special provisions regarding the transfer of development rights and development near areas of special public investment or natural resources. The slope of land cannot be excluded from buildable lot area calculations, and municipalities can set their own minimum lot sizes. The effective date for section 45-24-37 is January 1, 2024.

Furthermore, the bill specifies that certain residential uses are permitted in all residential zoning districts and most industrial and commercial districts, unless prohibited for health or safety reasons. In such cases, municipalities must create a residential exclusion health and safety overlay zone by May 15, 2025, with justifications for the prohibition. The bill allows for the temporary use of mobile and manufactured homes after a casualty, promotes the adaptive reuse of commercial buildings for residential or mixed-use developments with certain conditions, and exempts these developments from excessive off-street parking requirements. Municipalities must report annually on the dwelling units produced under adaptive reuse provisions. The bill includes insertions and deletions to update the legal language and is set to take effect on October 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
7981  SUB A: 45-24-37
7981: 45-24-37