Housing

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Jan 9, 2026

SB 2038: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

SB 2038 caps the size of accessory dwelling units (ADUs, or small secondary homes on residential lots) at 900 square feet for one-bedroom units and 1,000 square feet for two-bedroom units. It requires all municipalities to follow uniform statewide rules, prohibiting excessive fees, parking mandates, or restrictions based on family status or income for ADU applications. The bill also prevents local governments from imposing extra lot requirements, limiting ADUs to pre-existing homes, or restricting ADUs in new developments. Homeowners, property owners, and local zoning authorities are directly affected by these standardized size limits and procedural rules.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves local barriers to ADU development (fees, parking mandates, income restrictions) enabling more affordable housing units through standardized statewide rules.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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died · Rhode Island · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 7299: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

Permits every municipality in the state to offer a homestead tax exemption of up to 20% of assessed value on residential properties, and also provides that municipalities that grant greater exemptions not be limited by this section.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPermits homestead tax exemptions up to 20%, reducing property tax burden for homeowners - direct tax relief measure for residential properties.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides 20% homestead tax exemption for residential properties, reducing owner costs and increasing housing affordability for homeowners.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 7219: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

HB 7219 establishes statewide standards for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), small secondary homes on residential properties, while giving municipalities the option to adopt these rules. It requires towns to allow one ADU per lot under specific conditions (e.g., owner-occupied for disability accommodations, large lots, or within existing structures) and sets clear limits on ADU size (minimum 900 sq. ft. studio or 1,200 sq. ft. two-bedroom), prohibits excessive fees or discriminatory restrictions, and bans bans on ADUs in new developments. The bill also prevents municipalities from requiring extra lot size or parking for ADUs, voids conflicting private property restrictions, and bans ADUs for short-term rentals. These rules take effect July 1, 2026, and apply to homeowners, renters, and local governments that choose to implement the standards.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables ADUs with size limits and anti-discrimination rules, increasing housing options and accessibility for disabled owners.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Zoning

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signed · Rhode Island · House May 6, 2026

HB 7151: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

HB 7151 allows the town of Jamestown to create a new property tax exemption program for seniors aged 65+ who own and occupy their primary residence. The bill establishes income-based exemption tiers (ranging from 10% to 60% of property value) based on household income relative to federal poverty guidelines, with strict residency requirements (5 years in Jamestown). It explicitly excludes income-producing properties (like home offices or rental units) and requires applicants to provide income documentation. This bill directly affects eligible Jamestown seniors meeting the income, residency, and property-use criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates income-based property tax exemptions for low-income seniors, providing tax relief and reducing their tax burden per federal poverty guidelines.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides property tax relief for seniors (65+) on primary residences, reducing housing costs through income-based exemptions under federal poverty guidelines.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 14, 2026

HB 7129: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Amends the residential landlord and tenant act to prohibit the use of algorithmic renting-setting software that relies on nonpublic competitor data to determine rental prices or occupancy levels for residential dwelling units in Rhode Island.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits algorithmic rent-setting using nonpublic competitor data, preventing potential rent inflation and protecting tenants from opaque pricing practices under the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits algorithmic software using nonpublic competitor data for rent pricing, restricting tech use in housing market95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 2272: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- MULTIFAMILY HOUSING ACT

Requires single-family residential zoning in municipalities with populations of over forty-thousand (40,000) to allow middle housing and mandates that those municipalities adopt zoning regulations for middle housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates zoning changes to permit middle housing in single-family zones, directly increasing housing development options and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 7447: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING -- PROCEDURE FOR APPROVAL OF CONSTRUCTION

Restores the requirement that a local review board issue findings for denial in reviewing a comprehensive permit request and clarifies that affordable housing units shall be included in each town and city when the building permits for units are granted.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates inclusion of affordable housing units in building permits, advancing affordable housing development as required by the bill's summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Building Codes

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2291: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT -- RHODE ISLAND SURVIVOR EARLY LEASE TERMINATION ACT

Grants tenants that are the victim of various forms of abuse including, but not limited to, sexual and domestic abuse and stalking, the right to terminate a lease agreement early without penalty or liability for rent. Effective 7/1/26.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingGrants abuse victims tenant right to terminate leases early without penalty, strengthening tenant protections under housing policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 25, 2026

HB 7286: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- HOMELESS BILL OF RIGHTS

Updates the Homeless Bill of Rights law to add rules governing the interaction with encampments and includes the right to access clean and sanitary conditions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects homeless individuals' civil rights (sanitary conditions) during encampment interactions, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing unnecessary criminalization.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingUpdates Homeless Bill of Rights to include encampment interaction rules and right to clean sanitary conditions, strengthening protections for homeless individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Tenant Rights

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 7446: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

Eliminates mandated housing densities/density bonuses for public drinking water supply watersheds/groundwater. Requires densities not exceed water availability, introduce pollution, stay within public water or sewer system capacity limits.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill restricts housing density to prevent water overuse and pollution, requiring compliance with water availability and pollution controls, aligning with environmental protection indicators.85% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingEliminates density bonuses that incentivize affordable housing development, restricting new housing projects in water-sensitive areas per bill's focus on low/moderate income housing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality Affordable Housing Zoning

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