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SB 3300

AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RHODE ISLAND COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING AND LAND USE ACT

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jake Bissaillon

Creates a program to convert vacant Rhode Island school buildings into affordable housing, with 25% units affordable and state-backed coordination with local plans.

05/21/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · SB 3300

Overview

SB 3300, introduced in the Rhode Island Senate in 2026, amends the Rhode Island Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Act and related provisions to clarify and expand coordination between state agencies and local planning, tighten certain subdivision and development review processes, and create a new program for repurposing vacant school buildings as affordable housing. The act takes effect upon passage.

Purpose and intent

  • Strengthen alignment between state agencies and municipal comprehensive plans and land-use standards.
  • streamline and standardize development review and permitting processes at the local level.
  • establish a statewide program to repurpose vacant or unused school buildings into affordable housing, with a requirement that a portion of units be affordable.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Coordination of state agencies (Section 1, 45-22.2-10)

    • State agencies must conduct programs consistent with the state’s planning goals.
    • The chief (state planning official) to develop standards aiding municipalities in incorporating state goals into plans and to guide review of plans and state activities.
    • State Planning Council to adopt rules implementing standards.
    • Chief to provide data and technical information to municipalities; data localized to each municipality; leverages existing data from other agencies.
    • Authority to contract with outside parties for planning information and assistance.
    • State agencies to be notified when a municipality’s comprehensive plan or amendment is approved.
    • State programs/projects on state-owned property must conform to the municipality’s approved plan, with a public hearing requirement to justify non-conformance.

  2. Subdivision of Land – Definitions and Processes (Section 2, various sections)

    • Clarifies applicability of 45-23 rules to subdivisions and local regulations.
    • Provides detailed definitions for terms used in subdivision and land development review (e.g., buildable lot, development plan review, master plan, subdivision categories, etc.).
    • Distinguishes minor vs. major land development thresholds, including specific square-footage and unit thresholds for minor developments and requirements for major developments.
    • Adds process and standards for development plan review, including administrative versus formal review, stages, waivers, and certification timelines.
    • Establishes required findings supporting approvals (e.g., consistency with the comprehensive plan, conformity with zoning, environmental impacts, access to public streets).

  3. Zoning Ordinances – Continuation and Conformance (Section 3, 45-24-28)

    • Calls for zoning ordinances enacted after 1992 to conform to the act.
    • Sets timelines to bring pre-existing zoning ordinances into conformance (with phased repeal/transition provisions).
    • Maintains certain historic and airport zoning authorities as not superseded.

  4. Repurposing of Vacant Schools for Affordable Housing (Section 4, 45-53-10)

    • Establishes a program to repurpose vacant school buildings for affordable housing, administered by the Secretary of the Executive Office of Housing.
    • Requires municipalities to report vacant/unused school buildings and propose at least 25% of units as affordable housing.
    • Creates a task force (including housing, environmental, health, and fire safety agencies) to develop preliminary assessment criteria for repurposing.
    • If meeting criteria, a feasibility study may be conducted within 180 days.
    • If feasible, a competitive redevelopment process may be pursued to convert buildings to affordable housing (minimum 25% affordable units).
    • Requires an EOH website page listing assessments, feasibility outcomes, and cost estimates with limitations on liability for estimates.
    • Provides for state support and regulatory rules for implementation and requires annual reporting starting in 2023.

Who is affected

  • Municipalities and planning boards: tighter coordination with state standards; new review timelines and development plan processes.
  • State agencies: must align programs with state planning goals and notify about plan approvals.
  • Developers and applicants: new development plan review processes, potential waivers, and clarified timelines.
  • School districts and communities with vacant school buildings: new repurposing program with potential affordable housing projects.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Coordination provisions set standards and notification requirements for approvals and non-conforming state projects.
  • Development plan review timelines include certification within 25 days (administrative) and 65 days for preliminary plans (if not unified development review), plus 45 days for final plan approval.
  • Vested rights: approvals expire after 2 years unless milestones are met, with potential extensions for good cause.
  • Zoning conformance timelines trigger a transition to conforming ordinances by specified dates.
  • Repurposing program includes phased assessments, feasibility studies within 180 days after vacancy notification, and competitive redevelopment processes, with annual reporting beginning in 2023.

Overall impact

SB 3300 seeks to enhance consistency between state and local planning, improve efficiency and predictability of land-use approvals, and advance affordable housing through a targeted school-building repurposing program.

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

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