H 8033Cities & Towns

Towns and Cities - Low and Moderate Income Housing - Parking Spaces

This bill allows Johnston to require two parking spaces for affordable housing units if local public transit is insufficient.

Held for study

Population
Affected

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Introduced Feb 27, 2026Committee House Municipal Government & Housing

Plain-English Summary

This legislation grants specific authority to the town of Johnston regarding parking requirements for affordable housing developments. It allows the town to mandate that developers provide two parking spaces for every studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom unit designated as low- or moderate-income housing. However, the town can only impose this requirement if it determines that there is limited or no public transportation available nearby, or if there is a lack of off-street parking in the immediate area of the proposed housing.

For younger readers

There is a town called Johnston where people are building apartments that cost less money to rent. This new rule says that the town can tell the builders to make sure there are two parking spots for every apartment. The town is allowed to do this if they think there aren't enough buses nearby or if there isn't enough room on the street for people to park their cars. This helps make sure that the people living there have a safe place to put their vehicles.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Housing DevelopersLow-income rentersJohnston Zoning BoardTown PlannersConstruction Companies

Impacted communities

Johnston

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Protects working-class tenants in transit deserts from the financial burdens and stress of parking tickets, towing fees, or lack of access to their vehicles, which they often need for employment.
Acknowledges the reality that current public transportation infrastructure is insufficient in certain areas, ensuring that low-income housing is functional for residents who must rely on cars.
Helps integrate affordable housing into existing neighborhoods by reducing potential conflict over street parking congestion, potentially lowering community resistance to new developments.
Significantly increases the cost per unit of building affordable housing, which may discourage developers from starting projects and ultimately reduce the supply of homes for low-income people.
Reinforces automobile dependency and increases impervious surface coverage (asphalt), which runs counter to environmental goals regarding climate change and sustainable urban planning.
Could be utilized as a tool for exclusionary zoning, allowing the municipality to create financial barriers that effectively block the construction of low-income housing under the guise of parking concerns.

For Conservatives

Empowers local municipal government to determine its own zoning standards based on specific community needs rather than being forced to adhere to broad state mandates.
Protects the property values and quality of life for existing homeowners by preventing street congestion and parking shortages often associated with high-density developments.
Reflects a pragmatic approach to development that accepts the market reality that most residents own vehicles and require space to store them.
Imposes additional government regulations and mandates on private property owners and developers, interfering with free market principles and property rights.
Increases the cost of doing business for developers, which could stifle economic growth and construction investment within the town.
Creates a disjointed regulatory environment by applying specific rules to one town that differ from others, potentially complicating the ease of doing business in the state.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 5 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 45-53 of the General Laws entitled "Low and Moderate Income Housing" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 45-53-17. Johnston low- or moderate-income housing parking spaces. The town of Johnston may require two (2) parking spaces for each studio, one-bedroom, or two (2) bedroom low- or moderate-income housing unit upon the municipality's determination that there is limited or no local public transportation or off-street parking availability within a reasonable proximity to these low- or moderate-income housing units.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.