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SB 2273

AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jonathon Acosta and 9 co-sponsors

Rhode Island would centralize wetlands and on-site wastewater standards under DEM review and prevent new local setbacks, while guaranteeing licensed family child care homes a minim

06/19/2026 Signed by Governor
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 2273

Summary of SB 2273 (Rhode Island, 2026) – AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

This bill, introduced January 23, 2026, would amend Rhode Island’s zoning framework to address several core areas, with a notable focus on wetlands, on-site wastewater treatment systems, and family child care home regulations. It advances changes through the general zoning purposes and imposes specific new requirements and prohibitions.

Purpose and Intent

  • Reframe and reinforce the general purposes of zoning ordinances to align with comprehensive planning, environmental protection, public health, housing diversity, and efficient development review.
  • Limit the ability of municipalities to impose certain regulatory requirements related to wetlands and wastewater treatment systems.
  • Set a state-wide standard for family child care home capacity within zoning considerations.

Key Provisions and Changes

  1. General Purposes of Zoning (Section 45-24-30) – Expanded list of purposes

    • The section reorganizes and slightly reframes the recognized purposes of zoning to include:
      • Public health, safety, welfare
      • Diverse uses and intensities aligned with community needs
      • Ordered growth considering:
      • Comprehensive plan goals and land-use patterns
      • Natural land characteristics (soil, topography, pollution susceptibility)
      • Coastal and wetland values
      • Natural resources and features
      • Public infrastructure and services
      • Urban-rural development balance
      • Innovative development regulations
      • Environmental protection (air, water, groundwater, noise, erosion)
      • Preservation of natural, historic, cultural, and scenic character
      • Agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, open space
      • Protection of public investments (transportation, water, stormwater, etc.)
      • Housing diversity and affordability
      • Low- and moderate-income housing opportunities
      • Fire, flood, and disaster resilience
      • High-quality design
      • Alignment with the comprehensive plan
      • Coordination with neighboring jurisdictions and state agencies
      • Efficient development review
      • Zoning administration processes (variance, special-use permits, etc.)
      • Reasonable accommodations under fair housing and disability laws
    • Importantly, the bill adds a provision that any zoning ordinance that includes standards for on-site wastewater treatment systems or wetlands must be submitted to the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) for technical merits approval before adoption.

  2. Wetlands and On-Site Wastewater Standards – DEM Approval Requirement (new subsection)

    • Any new zoning standards related to freshwater wetlands (including coastal wetlands) or setback requirements for on-site wastewater treatment systems must first obtain DEM approval on technical merits.

  3. Prohibition on Wetland/OWTS Setbacks in Practice (Section 45-24-30(b)-(c))

    • As of the effective date, municipalities may not adopt new zoning provisions that set buffers or setbacks for freshwater/coastal wetlands or require OWTS setbacks from wetlands.
    • Municipalities may not apply existing wetland buffer standards or OWTS setback requirements to development applications submitted after the bill’s effective date. Other local zoning authorities remain intact.

  4. Family Child Care Home Capacity Provision (new subsection 45-24-30(d))

    • No city or town may restrict or limit the number of children that a Department of Human Services-licensed family child care home can serve to fewer than 12 children at a time.
    • This prohibition does not modify existing state regulations governing licensed family child care homes.

  5. Conformity Timeline (Section 45-24-30(d)(e))

    • Municipalities must amend their ordinances and regulations to conform to these provisions within 12 months of the effective date of the state regulations referenced in the bill.

  6. Effective Date

    • The act takes effect upon passage.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Cities and towns in Rhode Island: Must adjust zoning ordinances and administration to comply with the new purposes framework, DEM review requirements for wetlands and OWTS-related standards, and the 12-child minimum for licensed family child care homes.
  • Department of Environmental Management (DEM): Would assess and approve the technical merits of any new wetland or OWTS-related zoning provisions before local adoption.
  • Family child care providers: Licensing and capacity standards would be impacted to ensure a minimum of 12 children can be served in licensed family child care homes, barring other state rules.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The bill was introduced January 23, 2026, and referred to Senate Housing & Municipal Government.
  • After committee action, it progressed with a schedule indicating consideration in May 2026.
  • Main compliance deadline: municipalities have 12 months from the effective date to conform.
  • The act would take immediate effect upon passage.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Enhances environmental and land-use planning alignment with a comprehensive plan, potentially slowing or altering local development where DEM review identifies technical concerns.
  • Reduces local regulatory flexibility on wetlands buffers and OWTS setbacks, shifting technical oversight to a state DEM approval process.
  • Expands housing opportunity language by reinforcing diverse housing, including affordable options, while introducing a statewide constraint on wetland/OWTS setback rules.
  • Increases capacity assurances for family child care homes, which could influence zoning allowances for child care operations and demand planning for child-care services.

If you’d like, I can compare SB 2273 to current Rhode Island zoning standards or draft a plain-language explainer for constituents.

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

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