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HB 8280

AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING--PARKING SPACES

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Greg Costantino and 1 co-sponsor

Rhode Island bill allows municipalities to reduce or waive parking requirements for low and moderate-income housing to lower development costs and increase affordable housing supply.

04/10/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/15/2026)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 8280

Legislative bill overview

HB 8280 would modify parking requirements for low and moderate-income housing developments in Rhode Island towns and cities. The bill aims to reduce regulatory barriers and construction costs associated with parking mandates for affordable housing projects by allowing municipalities to adjust or waive parking space requirements in such developments.

Why is this important

Parking requirements significantly increase construction costs for housing projects, which directly raises the price of affordable units or reduces developer feasibility. By making parking requirements more flexible for low-income housing, the bill could lower development barriers and potentially increase the supply of affordable housing in Rhode Island communities facing housing shortages.

Potential points of contention

  • Developer vs. neighborhood concerns: Reducing parking requirements may create spillover parking problems in residential neighborhoods, particularly in areas with limited street parking or transit access
  • Municipal control: The bill may limit local governments' ability to set community-specific parking standards based on neighborhood characteristics and existing infrastructure capacity
  • Definition ambiguity: Questions about how "low and moderate-income" housing is defined and whether the parking flexibility applies to all such projects or only certain categories

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

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