H 8280Cities & Towns

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

Smithfield may require two parking spaces for affordable housing units if local public transit or parking is insufficient.

Held for study

Population
Affected

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Introduced Mar 11, 2026Committee House Municipal Government & Housing

Plain-English Summary

This legislation grants specific authority to the town of Smithfield 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 enforce this requirement if it determines that there is little or no public transportation available nearby, or if there is a lack of available off-street parking in the area surrounding these housing units.

For younger readers

This law is for a town called Smithfield. Sometimes, when people build apartments that cost less money to rent, there isn't enough room for cars. This law says the town can tell builders they must make two parking spots for every apartment, even small ones like studios or one-bedroom apartments. This rule applies if the town decides there aren't enough buses or other places to park nearby. This helps make sure people living there have a place to put their cars so they aren't stuck without a way to get around.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Housing DevelopersSmithfield ResidentsLow-Income RentersZoning Board MembersTown Planners

Impacted communities

Smithfield

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Ensures that low-income residents living in areas with poor public transit infrastructure have guaranteed access to parking, acknowledging that working-class individuals often rely on personal vehicles for employment and essential services.
Prevents potential conflicts between new affordable housing developments and existing neighborhoods regarding street parking competition, which can help reduce community opposition to new affordable housing projects.
Recognizes the current reality of infrastructure limitations in suburban areas, ensuring that housing developments are functional and livable for residents immediately, rather than waiting for future transit improvements.
Increases the cost of construction for affordable housing units, which may discourage developers from building them or reduce the total number of units created due to the expense of paving land for cars.
Reinforces car dependency and increases carbon emissions by mandating parking infrastructure rather than encouraging density and pressure for better public transportation systems.
Utilizes valuable land for parking lots instead of additional housing units or green spaces, contributing to suburban sprawl and inefficient land use.

For Conservatives

Empowers local municipal government to make zoning decisions based on the specific needs and infrastructure limitations of their community, supporting the principle of home rule over broad state mandates.
Protects existing property owners and neighborhoods from street congestion and parking shortages that can occur when high-density housing is built without adequate infrastructure.
Ensures that new developments are self-sufficient regarding parking, preventing the burden of overflow parking from falling on public streets and taxpayer-funded enforcement.
Imposes additional regulatory burdens and costs on property developers and builders, interfering with the free market and the ability to maximize private property usage.
Restricts the freedom of business owners to determine the most efficient use of their land and capital based on market demand rather than government mandates.
Creates a specific mandate for one town, potentially complicating the regulatory landscape for businesses that operate across multiple municipalities 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. Smithfield low- or moderate-income housing parking spaces. The town of Smithfield 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.