The bill amends Section 45-24-46.1 of the General Laws regarding zoning ordinances to establish inclusionary zoning requirements for affordable housing developments. Effective January 1, 2025, the bill mandates that zoning ordinances must require that at least 15% of total units in a development be designated as affordable housing, which must remain affordable for a minimum of 30 years. The bill specifies that the inclusion of affordable housing is required for developments with a minimum of 10 dwelling units. It also allows municipalities to provide various options for fulfilling this requirement, including on-site construction, off-site development, land donations, or payment of a fee-in-lieu of construction.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for density bonuses, allowing municipalities to add one market-rate unit for each affordable unit required, with the possibility of larger bonuses for increased affordable housing percentages. It includes stipulations for the use of fee-in-lieu payments, which must be allocated for affordable housing development within three years and overseen by a local affordable housing board. Notably, the bill allows the town of Tiverton to determine its density bonuses based on its underlying zoning, which is a new insertion in the law. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
1102: 45-24-46.1