2026 -- S 2628

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LC004388

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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 -- MINIMUM PARKING

REQUIREMENTS

     Introduced By: Senators Kallman, Bissaillon, Gu, DiMario, Rogers, Lauria, Mack,
Zurier, Valverde, and Raptakis

     Date Introduced: February 13, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Findings and declarations.

     The general assembly hereby finds and declares:

     In order to ensure that demand for off-street parking is managed efficiently in conjunction

with fostering housing production, economic development, historic reservation, and land

conservation and conservation throughout the state, there is a need to establish statewide standards

concerning minimum requirements for off-street parking.

     SECTION 2. Chapter 45-24 of the General Laws entitled "Zoning Ordinances" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     45-24-78. Minimum requirements for off-street parking.

     (a) A municipality shall not:

     (1) Require more than one off-street parking space per single-family dwelling unit;

     (2) Require more than one-half (0.5) of an off-street parking space per multi-family

dwelling unit;

     (3) Require more than two (2) off-street parking spaces per one thousand (1,000) square

feet of commercial space.

     (b) Project-based parking. A municipality shall not require off-street parking for:

     (1) An attached or detached single-family dwelling unit that is less than twelve hundred

(1,200) square feet of gross floor area in size;

     (2) A commercial space that is less than three thousand (3,000) square feet of gross floor

area in size;

     (3) A building undergoing adaptive reuse as defined in § 42-64.22-2;

     (4) An accessory dwelling unit as defined in § 45-24-31;·

     (5) Structures located within historic districts as defined in § 45-24.1-1.1;

     (6) Child daycare centers as defined in § 42-12.5-2;

     (7) Low- or moderate-income housing as defined in § 45-53-3; or

     (8) Assisted living residences as defined in § 23-17.4-2, housing for the elderly as defined

under § 42-66.1-2, or age-restricted private housing as described in § 34-37-4.1(a)(4) and (5);

     (c) Local powers. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit a municipality's right,

within state and local regulations, to:

     (i) Establish its own requirements for off-street loading, bicycle parking, or temporary

parking per zoning district of its city or town; or

     (ii) Require parking, traffic, or access studies in connection with applications for

development.

     (d) Accessibility. Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter requirements under the

federal Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et.seq., concerning the provision and

design of parking spaces permanently marked for the exclusive use of individuals with disabilities.

     (e) Waivers. A municipality may petition the department of housing for a waiver from one

or more requirements of this section, which waivers the department is hereby authorized to grant,

upon submission of an empirical study prepared by a credentialed transportation or land use

planning expert clearly demonstrating that a specific application of one or more requirements will

cause significant harm that cannot reasonably be managed through alternative means.

     (9) Implementation. Each city or town shall amend its zoning ordinances to conform to this

section by December 31, 2026.

     SECTION 3. 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 -- MINIMUM PARKING

REQUIREMENTS

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     This act would implement statewide standards concerning minimum requirements for off-

street parking, project-based parking, while affording municipalities inherent rights to establish its

own requirements, all in conjunction with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC004388

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