The bill amends Section 45-22.2-13 of the Rhode Island Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Act, with an effective date of March 1, 2024. It outlines the responsibilities of municipalities in administering and enforcing their comprehensive plans, ensuring that all municipal land use decisions conform to these plans. The bill requires municipalities to amend their zoning ordinances and maps to align with their comprehensive plans and provides guidance on how to interpret zoning ordinances and maps in cases of uncertainty, favoring interpretations that support the comprehensive plan's goals and policies.

The bill also addresses limitations on land use applications, reviews, and approvals. It allows municipalities to impose reasonable limitations on the number of building permits or other land use approvals, provided they are consistent with the comprehensive plan and based on a rational assessment of the municipality's capacity for growth. Limitations on residential building permits must be vital for protecting public health and welfare and must be the only available means to do so, considering the need for additional housing. The bill also sets conditions for the imposition of moratoriums, including a one-time moratorium following the adoption of a local comprehensive plan, with specific requirements for notification, duration, and extension. Additionally, the bill stipulates that failure to amend zoning ordinances to conform to the comprehensive plan within the specified timeframe may result in the denial or rescission of state approval of the plan. The act would take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
7951  SUB A: 45-22.2-13
7951: 45-22.2-13