AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES (Authorizes municipalities, through ordinance, to require private real property owners to obtain a license to operate a dwelling unit as student housing.)

H8363

2026 -- H 8363
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LC006196
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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

Introduced By:
Representative Anthony J. DeSimone

Date Introduced:
March 27, 2026

Referred To:
House Municipal Government & Housing
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 45-24 of the General Laws entitled "Zoning Ordinances" is hereby
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amended by adding thereto the following section:
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45-24-78. Student housing licensing.

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(a) Definitions. When used in this section, the following words and phrases shall be given
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the following meanings:
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(1) “Student” means an individual enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at any
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state college as defined in § 16-17.1-1 as well as any private university or college within the state.
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who commutes to a campus.
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(2) “Student housing” means a dwelling unit inhabited exclusively by students.
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(b) Authority.
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(1) A municipality may, through ordinance, require private real property owners to obtain
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a license to operate a dwelling unit as student housing. An ordinance adopted pursuant to this
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section may include, but is not limited to:
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(i) Annual or periodic licensing or registration requirements;
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(ii) Inspection requirements;
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(iii) Enforcement procedures; and
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(iv) Administrative appeal procedures.
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(c) Applicability.
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(1) This section shall apply to dwelling units located within the boundaries of the

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municipality enacting the ordinance.
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(2) This section shall not apply to:
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(i) Dormitories, residence halls, or other housing owned, operated, or directly controlled
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by an educational institution;
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(ii) Dwelling units owned or leased by an educational institution; and
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(iii) Dwelling units where rents are regulated under a federal, state, or local housing
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program limiting rent levels including, but not limited to, public housing or units rented through
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subsidies, vouchers or waiver programs.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC006196
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LC006196 - Page 2 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES
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This act would authorize municipalities, through ordinance, to require private real property
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owners to obtain a license to operate a dwelling unit as student housing.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC006196
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LC006196 - Page 3 of 3