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HB 7374

AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kathleen Fogarty and 3 co-sponsors

Rhode Island may let towns set occupancy limits for unrelated residents, with at least one person per bedroom and a cap of five unrelated individuals in units with more than five b

06/09/2026 Referred to Senate Housing and Municipal Government
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Bill Summary · HB 7374

Bill Overview

  • Bill: HB 7374
  • Session: 2026
  • Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
  • Title: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES
  • Introduced: January 28, 2026
  • Primary sponsors: Rep. McEntee; Rep. O’Brien; Rep. Spears; Rep. Fogarty
  • Referred to: House Municipal Government & Housing
  • Status: As of the latest action, scheduled for consideration; prior actions include committee recommendation to hold for further study

Purpose and Intent

The act amends the definitions section of Rhode Island’s zoning ordinance framework, with a focus on clarifying the meaning of “household” in residential zoning. It aims to provide local jurisdictions with a clearer, locally adaptable standard for how many unrelated individuals may reside together in a dwelling unit, while safeguarding a minimum standard tied to bedroom count.

Key Provisions

  • Amends 45-24-31 (Definitions) to include updated definitions and clarifications for numerous terms used in zoning ordinances. Among them, the definition of “Household” is revised (see below for detail).
  • Defines and clarifies a broad set of terms used in zoning, including terms such as ADU, Accessory Use, Density, Lot, Overlay District, and various housing and development concepts. This helps ensure consistency across local ordinances.
  • The updated “Household” definition allows municipalities to:
    • Set the maximum number of unrelated persons living together by local ordinance.
    • Ensure a minimum standard of at least one person per bedroom.
    • Allow municipalities to cap, for units with more than five bedrooms, the maximum number of unrelated persons at five per unit.
  • Other defined terms (e.g., Accessory Dwelling Unit, Cluster, Incentive Zoning, Planned Development, Mixed Use, etc.) remain part of the codified definitions, providing a robust framework for nuanced zoning approaches.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Local Governments (cities and towns in Rhode Island): The primary impact is on how they regulate residential occupancy, particularly for households with unrelated individuals living together.
  • Developers, property owners, and prospective tenants: They may face clearer rules about occupancy limits based on the number of bedrooms and local ordinances.
  • Aggrieved parties and applicants: Definitions surrounding who may appeal or be aggrieved remain part of the chapter, with changes centered on standardization and clarity of terms.
  • Homeowners with multi-bedroom units or nontraditional living arrangements: May be affected by occupancy limits and the potential for local variance or modification processes as defined elsewhere in the zoning code.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective Date: January 1, 2026 for the definitional changes (as stated in the text for 45-24-31).
  • Next Steps: The bill currently shows it would take effect upon passage, and the action history indicates committee consideration with scheduled future actions (as of May 2026). Final passage would be followed by publication and implementation in local ordinances consistent with the updated definitions.

Summary of Practical Effect

  • The bill standardizes and localizes occupancy rules for residential units by clarifying that municipalities may regulate unrelated-person occupancy counts, with a guaranteed floor of at least one person per bedroom and a maximum cap of five unrelated individuals per unit for units with more than five bedrooms.
  • This creates a more predictable framework for evaluating housing density, group living arrangements, and related zoning decisions, while preserving local control to tailor occupancy limits through ordinance.

Notes: The summary focuses on the substantive content available in the bill text. If enacted, localities would implement these definitional standards in their zoning ordinances in alignment with the act’s effective date.

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

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