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HB 6177

AN ACT RELATING TO TOWN AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING -- COMPREHENSIVE PERMIT PROJECTS IN TIVERTON

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jay Edwards and 1 co-sponsor

The bill streamlines and expands incentives for low- and moderate-income housing, including minimum density bonuses and simplified permit applications, to boost LMI projects.

06/04/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 6177

Summary — HB 6177

Title: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWN AND CITIES — LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING — COMPREHENSIVE PERMIT PROJECTS IN TIVERTON
Bill number: HB 6177
Introduced: April 4, 2025 (House)
Committee: House Municipal Government & Housing (Tiverton)
Status: 06/04/2025 — Committee recommended measure be held for further study

Note: the document provided contained an unrelated Michigan statutory text at the start; this summary addresses the Rhode Island bill amending R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 45‑53 (Low and Moderate Income Housing).

Purpose / Intent

To amend the procedural and substantive rules for comprehensive permit applications for low‑ and moderate‑income (LMI) housing statewide, with several provisions that explicitly affect projects in the Town of Tiverton. The bill seeks to increase zoning incentives, streamline application procedures, and limit local restrictions to encourage production of LMI housing.

Key provisions

  • Comprehensive permit eligibility

    • Applicants may submit a single comprehensive permit application in lieu of separate local applications if at least 25% of the units are LMI housing.

  • Required municipal incentives and subsidies

    • Municipal subsidies, adjustments, and zoning incentives must be made available to offset differential costs of LMI units.

  • Minimum density bonuses (land excluded from density calc: wetlands, wetland buffers, infrastructure area, recorded easements/ROW)

    • For properties connected (or eligible to connect) to public sewer and water:
    • ≥25% LMI → minimum density bonus: 5 units/acre
    • ≥50% LMI → minimum: 9 units/acre
    • 100% LMI → minimum: 12 units/acre
    • For properties not connected to public sewer/water but with evidence of water availability and/or an approved on‑site wastewater permit:
    • ≥25% LMI → minimum: 3 units/acre
    • ≥50% LMI → minimum: 5 units/acre
    • 100% LMI → minimum: 8 units/acre
    • Tiverton‑specific: for properties in Tiverton that are hydric, predominately hydric, or have a seasonal high‑water table, those lands are excluded from the buildable land density calculation.

  • Parking, bedrooms, and floor‑area limits

    • Parking: municipalities may not require more than one off‑street parking space per dwelling unit for units with up to two bedrooms in projects under this chapter.
    • Bedrooms: municipalities may not limit bedrooms to fewer than three for single‑family dwelling units submitted under this chapter.
    • Floor area: municipalities may not use floor‑area requirements to limit an application, except as provided by § 45‑24.3‑11.

  • Local restrictions and moratoria

    • Municipalities may not apply locally adopted ordinances or policies that impose limits or moratoria on residential development to restrict comprehensive permit applications under this chapter.

  • Application and review process (highlights)

    • Pre‑application conference: municipalities may require or applicants may request a brief pre‑application meeting; municipalities must schedule the meeting within 30 days of request unless a different timeframe is mutually agreed; if 30 days elapse without a meeting, applicant may proceed to preliminary plan review.
    • Preliminary plan submission must include: letter of eligibility from Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation (or equivalent award/subsidy letter), written list of requested zoning adjustments, proposed construction timetable, and required local application items (full list truncated in source).

Who is affected

  • Developers and sponsors of LMI housing (gain clearer incentives, density bonuses, and streamlined process).
  • Municipal governments and local review boards (required to provide specified incentives, limit certain local controls, and adhere to timeframes).
  • Service providers (public water/sewer confirmations affect bonus levels).
  • Tiverton in particular — receives a specific accommodation for hydric lands in density calculations.

Potential impact

  • Increases predictability and minimum incentives for LMI projects, likely making some developments more feasible financially.
  • Encourages higher densities for projects with substantial LMI content, especially where public utilities are available.
  • Limits certain municipal controls (parking, bedroom caps, floor‑area limits, moratoria) for projects under this chapter, which could reduce local discretion over design and siting.
  • Tiverton provision reduces penalty to density calculations for lands with hydric conditions, potentially enabling more developable yield on such parcels.

Procedural status / next steps

  • Introduced in the House (04/04/2025) and referred to House Municipal Government & Housing.
  • As of 06/04/2025, the committee recommended that the measure be held for further study (no further legislative action recorded).

If you want, I can prepare a side‑by‑side comparison of current § 45‑53‑4 vs. the bill text showing exact deletions/insertions, or a brief analysis of likely municipal implementation questions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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