HB 7148 Connecticut House · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING ACCESSORY COMMERCIAL UNITS.

HB 7148 requires municipalities to allow accessory commercial units (small business spaces on residential lots) "as of right" in at least 33% of residential zoning areas, effective October 2025. It mandates that these units must be at least 1,000 square feet, cannot include drive-throughs or sell alcohol/cannabis, and must follow the same building standards as single-family homes. The bill directly affects homeowners who want to operate small businesses (like home offices or shops) from their property and requires local governments to update zoning rules to permit this without special permits or hearings. It also prohibits extra restrictions on parking, hours, or design beyond what applies to standard residential properties.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 5, 2025 Last action Apr 9, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → PD Joint Favorable Substitute · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to shift its focus from allowing mixed-use and residential developments in commercial zones to specifically creating 'accessory commercial units' as a new zoning category. The changes redefine the bill's purpose, add detailed definitions for new housing and commercial terms, and establish specific rules for how municipalities must allow these units to be built without excessive restrictions.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from permitting mixed-use developments in commercial zones to allowing accessory commercial units on residential lots as-of-right, with specific protections against restrictive zoning requirements.

SCOPE

Changed the bill title and purpose from allowing mixed-use developments in commercial zones to creating accessory commercial units on residential properties.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'accessory apartment', 'accessory commercial unit', 'affordable accessory apartment', 'as of right', 'cottage cluster', 'live work unit', 'middle housing', 'mixed-use development', and 'townhouse'.

REQUIREMENT

Modified zoning requirements to mandate that municipalities allow at least one accessory commercial unit per lot in at least 33% of residential land areas.

Added restrictions prohibiting accessory commercial units from containing drive-through facilities or selling certain products like alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, or smoking paraphernalia.

Added rules that municipalities cannot impose excessive height, landscaping, design, noise, or parking restrictions on accessory commercial units.

TIMELINE

Added a requirement that zoning commissions must approve accessory commercial unit applications within 65 days, with possible extensions.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed eligibility criteria to allow accessory commercial units on residential lots without requiring familial or employment relationships between residents and business operators.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

lower

Mar 5, 2025

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Planning and Development

lower

0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

What changed between versions

How they voted

Actions timeline

Sponsors