The bill amends various sections of the General Laws in Chapters 45-23 and 45-24, focusing on land subdivision and zoning ordinances. It introduces a new definitions section in Chapter 45-23, clarifying terms such as "administrative officer," "board of appeal," "buildable lot," and "minor subdivision," with the latter now explicitly including oversized lot subdivisions that meet specific criteria.

In Chapter 45-24, the bill adds a definitions section to ensure consistency with the Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Regulation Act. It specifies that a "floating zone" is only effective when an application for development that meets the zone requirements is approved and the approved plan is recorded.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing language regarding zoning modifications, changing "dimensional variance" to "relief" and allowing for limited relief not exceeding twenty-five percent of dimensional requirements. It establishes regulations for substandard lots, permitting the merger of contiguous unimproved or improved lots within two hundred feet of the subject lot without requiring zoning relief for minimum lot size deficiencies.

The bill also introduces "neighborhood character-based modifications" (NCBM) for residential properties with public water and sewer connections, enabling dimensional relief based on the average dimensions of comparable existing properties. The zoning enforcement officer is granted authority to approve these modifications, with specific procedures for notification and handling objections. If the modification is equal to or less than thirty percent of the requirements of the zoning district, it can be approved without public notice. For modifications greater than thirty percent, notification to abutting property owners is required, and if objections are received, the request will be scheduled for a hearing before the zoning board of review.

The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
1052: 45-23-32