The bill amends the General Laws in Chapter 45-23, "Subdivision of Land," with changes effective January 1, 2024, to update definitions and procedures related to land development and subdivision in Rhode Island. It adds new definitions such as "administrative officer," "board of appeal," and "buildable lot," among others, and specifies categories of developments that can undergo development plan review. The bill revises the definition of "final plan," distinguishes between minor and major land development projects, and removes the category of development in a historic district from the development plan review section. It introduces new language for the review process for minor land development and subdivision, defines different types of subdivisions, and explains the roles of the planning board, technical review committee, and administrative officer in the review process, without any deletions from current law.

The bill outlines procedures for applications requesting relief from zoning ordinances, review stages for minor plan reviews, and the roles of administrative officers and planning boards in the review process. It changes the application process for modifications to zoning ordinances, specifies the authority of the administrative officer to grant waivers of design standards, and details the process for master plan review, including submission requirements and decision-making timelines. The bill also addresses the approval process for major subdivision and development plans, the process for approving changes to final development plans, and introduces a new section for the appeals process from decisions of the administrative officer. Significant changes include the removal of certain requirements for substandard lots of record, revisions to the provisions for special-use permits, and updates to the sections related to appeals. The bill also amends the unified development review process, deletes subsection (d), and changes language from "shall permit" to "may permit" for development plan review. The bill takes effect upon passage.