AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jake Bissaillon and 3 co-sponsors

Recovery houses must be treated as residential uses with parity to other homes, prohibiting stricter zoning or non-applicable code barriers.

06/19/2026 Signed by Governor

Overview

SB 2575, introduced in Rhode Island’s 2026 legislative session, would clarify and standardize how residential recovery houses are treated under local zoning. The bill aims to ensure that recovery residences are recognized as a permissible form of residential use and are not subject to stricter zoning or building/fire-code restrictions than other similar residential dwellings in the same district.

Purpose and intent

To prevent local zoning ordinances from imposing restrictions on residential recovery houses that do not apply to other residential homes.

To ensure recovery houses are treated consistently with other residential uses, promoting access to recovery support services within appropriate housing settings.

To align zoning treatment with the goals of supporting individuals in substance use recovery while maintaining orderly land-use practices.

Key provisions

Definition: A “recovery house” is a residential structure properly zoned according to a town or city’s zoning ordinance that provides recovery support services for individuals recovering from substance use disorder.

Zoning treatment: Recovery houses shall be treated as a residential use of property, with the same rights and responsibilities as other residential uses in the same zoning district.

Non-discriminatory restrictions: Recovery houses shall not be subject to restrictions, prohibitions, or other provisions (including state building or fire codes) that are not applicable to residential uses in similar structures occupied by a household, as defined by the statute.

Scope: The protections apply except as otherwise provided by general laws or applicable local zoning ordinances.

Who is affected

Local municipalities (cities and towns) and their zoning boards or planning departments.

Operators and residents of recovery houses, including individuals receiving substance use recovery services in a residential setting.

Communities implementing local zoning rules governing residential uses within the same zoning district.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Effective date: The act takes effect upon passage.

Legislative status: Introduced February 13, 2026; referred to Senate Housing & Municipal Government; subsequently scheduled for committee consideration and potential floor action as indicated by action history.

Action timeline notes: The bill underwent committee review and was scheduled for further consideration in May 2026.

Summary of impact

Aims to reduce regulatory uncertainty and potential over-restriction on recovery houses by ensuring parity with other residential uses.

Promotes access to recovery-focused housing options by removing non-applicable zoning and code barriers.

Provides a clear statutory framework to guide municipalities in structuring zoning rules for recovery residences, potentially limiting the ability to create discriminatory or overly stringent requirements that exceed those for typical households.