H7375 • 2026

AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES (Allows the operation of a home-based business, which meets criteria for home office IRS income tax deduction, without securing approval from the municipality with no storage of chemicals/park heavy equipment/not more than 10% of premises used for parking.)

Land Taxes

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Place, Hopkins, Santucci, Chippendale
Last action: 2026-01-28
Official status: Introduced, referred to House Municipal Government & Housing
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES (Allows the operation of a home-based business, which meets criteria for home office IRS income tax deduction, without securing approval from the municipality with no storage of chemicals/park heavy equipment/not more than 10% of premises used for parking.)

What This Bill Does

AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES (Allows the operation of a home-based business, which meets criteria for home office IRS income tax deduction, without securing approval from the municipality with no storage of chemicals/park heavy equipment/not more than 10% of premises used for parking.)

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

2026-01-28 Rhode Island General Assembly
Introduced, referred to House Municipal Government & Housing

Official Summary Text

AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES (Allows the operation of a home-based business, which meets criteria for home office IRS income tax deduction, without securing approval from the municipality with no storage of chemicals/park heavy equipment/not more than 10% of premises used for parking.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

H7375

2026 -- H 7375
========
LC004323
========

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

Introduced By:
Representatives Place, Hopkins, Santucci, and Chippendale

Date Introduced:
January 28, 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

45-24-37.1. Home-based businesses.

4

Notwithstanding any zoning or other municipal ordinance to the contrary, any individual
5
operating a home-based business which meets the criteria provided by the Internal Revenue Code
6
for a home office tax deduction, may operate without securing any approvals from their
7
municipality; provided, that the home-based business does not store chemicals, other hazardous
8
materials, or park heavy equipment on the premises, and not more than ten percent (10%) of the
9
premises are used for parking in connection with the operation of the home-based business.
10
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
========
LC004323
========

EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES
***
1
This act would allow the operation of a home-based business, as long as it meets the criteria
2
for a home office IRS income tax deduction, without securing any approvals from the municipality.
3
The business may not store chemicals or other hazardous materials, may not park heavy equipment
4
and not more than ten percent (10%) of the premises is used for parking, notwithstanding any
5
contrary zoning law or ordinance.
6
This act would take effect upon passage.
========
LC004323
========

LC004323 - Page 2 of 2