2025 -- H 6185

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LC002696

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- TIVERTON'S NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Edwards, and McGaw

     Date Introduced: April 04, 2025

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     (Tiverton)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 45 of the General Laws entitled "TOWNS AND CITIES" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 53.1

TIVERTON'S NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS ACT

     45-53.1-1. Title.

     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Tiverton's New Construction Projects

Act."

     45-53.1-2. Definitions.

     For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and terms shall have the following

meanings:

     (1) "Bonus units" means additional residential units approved by the town of Tiverton as

part of a development project in accordance with the town's zoning and development policies.

     (2) "Building permit" means a permit issued by the town of Tiverton granting authorization

for the commencement of construction on a project.

     (3) "Certificate of occupancy" means a certificate issued by the town of Tiverton

confirming that a building has been completed in compliance with all building codes and is safe

for occupancy.

     (5) "Preliminary approval" means the initial approval granted to a development project

after review and recommendation by the appropriate municipal authority.

     (4) "Final approval" means the final authorization given by the town of Tiverton following

successful completion of all necessary review and approval processes for a development project.

     45-53.1-3. Timelines for approval and permitting.

     (a) In the town of Tiverton, the period between the granting of preliminary approval and

the granting of final approval for a development project shall not exceed one year.

     (b) In the town of Tiverton, the period between the granting of final approval and the

issuance of a building permit shall not exceed two (2) years.

     (c) In the town of Tiverton, if the applicant does not request a building permit within the

two (2) year period following final approval, the application and vesting shall be considered void.

The development process shall need to be restarted, and the applicant will need to resubmit a new

application for review and approval.

     45-53.1-4. Temporary addition of units to town's total unit count.

     (a) In the town of Tiverton, once an applicant requests a building permit, the number of

units approved for the development, including any bonus units, shall be temporarily added to the

total unit count. This count shall be included in the town of Tiverton's current housing inventory.

     (b) The units, including bonus units, shall be permanently added to the town of Tiverton's

unit count upon the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the development or three (3) years

from the date of the request for a building permit, whichever occurs first.

     (c) The town of Tiverton shall be allowed to count the units, including bonus units, against

other new developments while the construction is ongoing. This shall ensure that the town of

Tiverton remains in compliance with its housing and development goals, while still providing

flexibility to the applicant during the construction phase.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- TIVERTON'S NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

ACT

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     This act would set timelines for Tiverton's new construction, including one year for final

approval, two (2) years for building permits, and temporary inclusion of units in the town's count

until completion or three (3) years, whichever comes first.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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