2026 -- H 8363 | |
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LC006196 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 | |
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A N A C T | |
RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES | |
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Introduced By: Representative Anthony J. DeSimone | |
Date Introduced: March 27, 2026 | |
Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Chapter 45-24 of the General Laws entitled "Zoning Ordinances" is hereby |
2 | amended by adding thereto the following section: |
3 | 45-24-78. Student housing licensing. |
4 | (a) Definitions. When used in this section, the following words and phrases shall be given |
5 | the following meanings: |
6 | (1) “Student” means an individual enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at any |
7 | state college as defined in § 16-17.1-1 as well as any private university or college within the state. |
8 | who commutes to a campus. |
9 | (2) “Student housing” means a dwelling unit inhabited exclusively by students. |
10 | (b) Authority. |
11 | (1) A municipality may, through ordinance, require private real property owners to obtain |
12 | a license to operate a dwelling unit as student housing. An ordinance adopted pursuant to this |
13 | section may include, but is not limited to: |
14 | (i) Annual or periodic licensing or registration requirements; |
15 | (ii) Inspection requirements; |
16 | (iii) Enforcement procedures; and |
17 | (iv) Administrative appeal procedures. |
18 | (c) Applicability. |
19 | (1) This section shall apply to dwelling units located within the boundaries of the |
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1 | municipality enacting the ordinance. |
2 | (2) This section shall not apply to: |
3 | (i) Dormitories, residence halls, or other housing owned, operated, or directly controlled |
4 | by an educational institution; |
5 | (ii) Dwelling units owned or leased by an educational institution; and |
6 | (iii) Dwelling units where rents are regulated under a federal, state, or local housing |
7 | program limiting rent levels including, but not limited to, public housing or units rented through |
8 | subsidies, vouchers or waiver programs. |
9 | 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 -- ZONING ORDINANCES | |
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1 | This act would authorize municipalities, through ordinance, to require private real property |
2 | owners to obtain a license to operate a dwelling unit as student housing. |
3 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
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