AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

SB 1102 allows the town of Tiverton to set its own density bonus rules for affordable housing developments, overriding standard statewide requirements. Under the bill, Tiverton can determine how many additional market-rate units developers may build in exchange for including affordable housing, based on its local zoning regulations. This exception applies specifically to Tiverton, while other Rhode Island municipalities must follow the standard rule requiring one market-rate unit per affordable unit. The bill also maintains statewide requirements that affordable housing must constitute at least 15% of new developments (for projects over 10 units) and remain affordable for 30 years. Tiverton’s local approach to density bonuses is the only deviation from these statewide rules.