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HB 8472

AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RHODE ISLAND COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING AND LAND USE ACT--COMPREHENSIVE PERMITS PROHIBITED IN WATERSHED OVERLAY PROTECTION

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Chippendale and 5 co-sponsors

In Coventry, Rhode Island, comprehensive permits under the Rhode Island Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Act are prohibited within any watershed overlay protection district.

05/26/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 8472

Summary of HB 8472 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Title

AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES — RHODE ISLAND COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING AND LAND USE ACT—COMPREHENSIVE PERMITS PROHIBITED IN WATERSHED OVERLAY PROTECTION

Purpose and intent

  • The bill restricts the use of comprehensive permits under Rhode Island’s comprehensive planning and land use regulation act (the state’s framework for land use planning and permitting) within a specific type of zoning area known as a watershed overlay protection district.
  • Specifically, it targets the town of Coventry by prohibiting comprehensive permits in watershed overlay protection districts located there.

Key provisions and changes

Definitions (Section 1)

  • The bill maintains and relies on the existing definitions in the Rhode Island Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Act, including terms such as watershed, watershed overlay protection district, floodplains, wetlands, and zoning.
  • A watershed overlay protection district is described as a zoning designation that applies stricter rules to protect water resources within a watershed.

Prohibition of comprehensive permits in Coventry’s watershed overlays (Section 2)

  • Adds a new provision to the Low and Moderate Income Housing section (Chapter 45-53) of the General Laws.
  • Section 45-53-11.1: In the town of Coventry, no applications shall be issued, authorized, or permitted for a comprehensive permit under the Rhode Island comprehensive planning and land use regulation act (Chapter 22.2 of Title 45) within any watershed overlay protection district.

Effective date (Section 3)

  • The act takes effect upon passage.

Who/what is affected

  • Geographic area: Coventry, Rhode Island.
  • Regulatory trigger: Any watershed overlay protection district within Coventry.
  • Applicants: Prospective developers or project sponsors seeking a comprehensive permit under the RI Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Act in Coventry’s watershed overlay districts would be barred from obtaining such permits.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction date: April 17, 2026.
  • Referred to: House Municipal Government & Housing.
  • The act does not establish a phased timeline or transition period; it states the prohibition “upon passage,” meaning it would take effect immediately upon enactment.
  • The prohibition applies specifically to comprehensive permits under Chapter 22.2 (Rhode Island Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Act) in the defined districts.

Additional context

  • The bill adds Coventry-specific language to an otherwise statewide framework, creating a localized restriction within watershed overlay protection districts.
  • It aligns with broader watershed and water-resource protection goals by limiting a particular permitting process in areas designated for stricter overlay protection.

If you’d like, I can provide a plain-language FAQ or compare this bill’s approach to similar watershed protections or comprehensive-permit restrictions in other Rhode Island jurisdictions.

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

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