The "Opening the Market for Housing in Urban Areas Act of 2023" is a bill that aims to expand the supply of affordable housing in urban areas, reduce homelessness, and improve access to essential services. It requires municipalities with a population of 20,000 or more to allow the development of middle housing types, such as duplexes and townhouses, in areas that were previously zoned for single-family dwellings. The bill also establishes a deadline for municipalities to adopt land use regulations or amend their comprehensive plans to implement these requirements.

The bill amends the Rhode Island Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Act to require the state building code standards committee to adopt rules and regulations regarding the form and substance of any application for an extension. It also amends the required content of a comprehensive plan to include the identification of existing and forecasted housing needs and the identification of areas suitable for future housing development. The bill also amends current law regarding comprehensive plans and low- and moderate-income housing, requiring the implementation program of a comprehensive plan to include scheduled expansion or replacement of public facilities and the anticipated costs and revenue sources to meet those costs. It also allows applicants to submit a single application for a comprehensive permit to build low- or moderate-income housing and outlines the procedures for reviewing these applications. Finally, the bill would prohibit single-family residential zoning in municipalities with populations over 20,000 and require them to adopt zoning regulations for middle housing in single-family residential zones.

Statutes affected:
5938: 45-53-4, 23-27.3-105.3