Rhode Island legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Rhode Island H8004: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--COURTS -- SUPERIOR COURT (Provides technical amendments relating to comprehensive planning and land use, subdivision of land, zoning ordinances and low- and moderate-income housing.)
Status: Signed into law, June 23, 2026
What the bill says
To amend its zoning ordinance and map to conform to the comprehensive plan within the implementation schedule, or by the expiration of the moratorium period, a municipality must amend either their implementation schedule or, if the future land use is no longer desirable or feasible, amend the future land use map. (1) Failure to comply with this provision within one hundred twenty (120) days of the date of the implementation schedule or the expiration of the moratorium period shall result in the denial or rescission, in whole or in part, of state approval of the comprehensive plan and of all be.
From the introduced text, February 27, 2026:
to amend its zoning ordinance and map to conform to the comprehensive plan within the implementation schedule, or by the expiration of the moratorium period, a municipality must amend either their implementation schedule or, if the future land use is no longer desirable or feasible, amend the future land use map. (1) Failure to comply with this provision within one hundred twenty (120) days of the date of the implementation schedule or the expiration of the moratorium period shall result in the denial or rescission, in whole or in part, of state approval of the comprehensive plan and of all benefits and incentives conditioned on state approval. (2) An implementation schedule amended under this provision shall not be eligible for an additional moratorium as provided for in subsection (e) of this section. (h) For any moratorium related to the submission, review, or approval of any land use application for residential housing development, other than that covered by subsection (e) of this section, such moratorium must be vital to protecting public health and welfare and it must be demonstrated that there is no other means available to protect public health and welfare given the need for additional housing units in the community. No such limitation moratorium shall be applicable to applications submitted as part of a comprehensive permit project under § …