Rhode Island Land Use Law

When the General Assembly is in session, the Land Use Unit reviews planning related and other proposed bills. As part of the central planning agency for Rhode Island, the Unit will recommend policy positions for bills for the Division to forward to the General Assembly. Each week an email report on new and pending legislation is compiled and shared with other State agencies and organizations concerned with land use planning activities in the State. To receive the weekly report, please email a request to Nancy Hess. Annually Each year a summary of information about the General Assembly is prepared for use by the Division and other interested persons. The annual summary does not represent a complete listing all the bills the Division analyzes and follows. It highlights a selection of interesting bills concerning land use and regional planning, and transportation related issues.

Enabling Laws

Rhode Island has a series of enabling laws that empower municipalities to plan for the conservation and development of communities in the State. The links to the various laws are listed below.

Planning Boards and Commissions

• Local Planning Board or Commission (45-22)
• Joint Municipal Planning Commissions (45-22.1)

Comprehensive Planning

• Rhode Island Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Regulation Act (45-22.2)

Zoning

• Rhode Island Zoning Enabling Act (45-24)
• Airport Zoning Act (1-3)
• Historical Area Zoning (45-24.1)

Subdivision and Land Development

• Rhode Island Land Development and Subdivision Review Enabling Act (45-23)
• Mapped Streets (45-23.1)

Other Relevant Statutes

• Rhode Island Low and Moderate Income Housing Act (45-53)
• Conservation Commissions (45-35)
• Soil Erosion and Sediment Control (45-46)
• Open Meetings Law (42-46)
• Recording of Instruments (34-13)