AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES -- MINIMUM PARKING REQUIREMENTS (Implements statewide parking standards.)

S2628

2026 -- S 2628
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LC004388
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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 -- MINIMUM PARKING
REQUIREMENTS

Introduced By:
Senators Kallman, Bissaillon, Gu, DiMario, Rogers, Lauria, Mack,
Zurier, Valverde, and Raptakis

Date Introduced:
February 13, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Findings and declarations.
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The general assembly hereby finds and declares:
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In order to ensure that demand for off-street parking is managed efficiently in conjunction
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with fostering housing production, economic development, historic reservation, and land
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conservation and conservation throughout the state, there is a need to establish statewide standards
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concerning minimum requirements for off-street parking.
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SECTION 2. 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. Minimum requirements for off-street parking.

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(a) A municipality shall not:
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(1) Require more than one off-street parking space per single-family dwelling unit;
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(2) Require more than one-half (0.5) of an off-street parking space per multi-family
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dwelling unit;
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(3) Require more than two (2) off-street parking spaces per one thousand (1,000) square
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feet of commercial space.
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(b) Project-based parking. A municipality shall not require off-street parking for:
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(1) An attached or detached single-family dwelling unit that is less than twelve hundred
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(1,200) square feet of gross floor area in size;

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(2) A commercial space that is less than three thousand (3,000) square feet of gross floor
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area in size;
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(3) A building undergoing adaptive reuse as defined in § 42-64.22-2;
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(4) An accessory dwelling unit as defined in § 45-24-31;·
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(5) Structures located within historic districts as defined in § 45-24.1-1.1;
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(6) Child daycare centers as defined in § 42-12.5-2;
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(7) Low- or moderate-income housing as defined in § 45-53-3; or
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(8) Assisted living residences as defined in § 23-17.4-2, housing for the elderly as defined
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under § 42-66.1-2, or age-restricted private housing as described in § 34-37-4.1(a)(4) and (5);
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(c) Local powers. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit a municipality's right,
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within state and local regulations, to:
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(i) Establish its own requirements for off-street loading, bicycle parking, or temporary
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parking per zoning district of its city or town; or
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(ii) Require parking, traffic, or access studies in connection with applications for
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development.
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(d) Accessibility. Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter requirements under the
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federal Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et.seq., concerning the provision and
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design of parking spaces permanently marked for the exclusive use of individuals with disabilities.
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(e) Waivers. A municipality may petition the department of housing for a waiver from one
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or more requirements of this section, which waivers the department is hereby authorized to grant,
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upon submission of an empirical study prepared by a credentialed transportation or land use
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planning expert clearly demonstrating that a specific application of one or more requirements will
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cause significant harm that cannot reasonably be managed through alternative means.
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(9) Implementation. Each city or town shall amend its zoning ordinances to conform to this
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section by December 31, 2026.
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SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC004388
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES -- MINIMUM PARKING
REQUIREMENTS
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This act would implement statewide standards concerning minimum requirements for off-
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street parking, project-based parking, while affording municipalities inherent rights to establish its
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own requirements, all in conjunction with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC004388
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