H 8031Cities & Towns

Towns and Cities - Rhode Island Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Act

Cities and towns can request a one-time, 12-month deadline extension to update their comprehensive land use plans.

Held for study

Population
Affected

Introduced Feb 27, 2026Committee House Municipal Government & Housing

Plain-English Summary

This legislation amends the "Rhode Island Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Act" to allow cities and towns to request a deadline extension for updating their municipal comprehensive plans. The Rhode Island Division of Statewide Planning may grant a one-time extension of up to 12 months if the municipality proves it is actively working on the update. Proof of engagement can include hiring consultants, holding public hearings, or submitting drafts. During this extension, the town's existing plan remains valid for zoning and funding purposes.

For younger readers

Every town has a big plan for how to use its land, like where to build houses, parks, or stores. Sometimes, towns run out of time to finish updating these plans. This new rule says that if a town is working hard on their plan but needs more time, the state can give them one extra year to finish it. This makes sure the town doesn't get in trouble or lose money from the government while they finish their work.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Municipal governmentsCity and town plannersDivision of Statewide PlanningReal estate developersResidents attending zoning hearings

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Ensures municipalities have sufficient time to conduct thorough public outreach and workshops, allowing for greater community input and democratic participation in local planning.
Prevents the loss of state or federal funding eligibility due to missed deadlines, ensuring that essential public services and community development projects continue without interruption.
Encourages quality over speed in urban planning, potentially leading to better long-term outcomes for affordable housing, environmental protection, and sustainable development.
Delays the implementation of updated comprehensive plans, which may contain necessary modernizations regarding affordable housing mandates and environmental justice initiatives.
Could allow municipalities to procrastinate on critical land use reforms by relying on an existing plan that might be outdated or exclusionary.
Maintains the status quo for an additional year, potentially slowing down the state's overall progress toward regional planning goals and climate resilience strategies.

For Conservatives

Provides relief to local governments from rigid state deadlines, respecting municipal autonomy and acknowledging the administrative burdens faced by towns.
Prevents the automatic invalidation of existing zoning and regulatory compliance, protecting property owners and businesses from legal uncertainty or chaos.
Ensures that towns do not lose access to federal or state funding due to bureaucratic delays, protecting the financial interests of local taxpayers.
Expands the discretionary power of unelected state bureaucrats in the Division of Statewide Planning to decide which towns qualify for extensions.
Rewards government inefficiency by allowing municipalities to delay completing tasks that should have been managed within the original statutory timeframes.
Creates a potential for uneven application of the law, where some towns are granted leniency by the state while others might be held to stricter standards.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 20 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 45-22.2 of the General Laws entitled "Rhode Island Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 45-22.2-12.1. Extension of municipal comprehensive plan deadlines.

(a) Upon written request of a city or town, the Rhode Island division of statewide planning ("the division") may grant an extension of the deadline for the update of a municipal comprehensive plan for a period not to exceed twelve (12) months; provided that, the municipality has demonstrated active engagement in the comprehensive plan update process, as determined by the division, toward the preparation and submission of an update in accordance with this chapter.

(b) In determining whether a municipality has demonstrated active engagement in the update process, the division may consider, but shall not be limited to, whether the municipality has:

(1) Initiated the comprehensive plan update process;

(2) Engaged or procured professional planning or consulting services;

(3) Conducted public outreach, workshops, or hearings;

(4) Coordinated with state agencies or the division; or

(5) Submitted draft materials or documentation for preliminary or formal review.

(c) During any extension granted pursuant to this section, the municipality’s existing comprehensive plan shall be deemed to remain in full force and effect for all purposes including, but not limited to, zoning consistency, regulatory compliance, and eligibility for state or federal funding.

(d) A municipality may be granted one extension pursuant to this section.

(e) The division may issue guidance or procedures necessary to implement the provisions of this section.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.