S 2747Cities & Towns

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

The town of Johnston may require two parking spaces for affordable housing units if local public transportation is limited.

Held for study

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Introduced Feb 27, 2026Committee Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

Plain-English Summary

This bill grants specific authority to the town of Johnston regarding parking requirements for affordable housing. 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. This requirement can be enforced if the municipality determines that the area has limited public transportation options or a lack of available off-street parking nearby. This serves as an exception to standard zoning practices to address specific infrastructure concerns in Johnston.

For younger readers

This rule is for the town of Johnston. When builders construct apartments for people who don't have a lot of money, the town can make them build two parking spots for every apartment. This rule applies if the town decides there are not enough buses or other places to park nearby. This helps make sure that the people living in these new apartments have a safe place to put their cars, especially if they can't take a bus to get to work or school.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Affordable housing developersLow-income renters in JohnstonJohnston Town Planning officialsConstruction companiesJohnston residents

Impacted communities

Johnston

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

There is a potential risk regarding the Fair Housing Act. By singling out low-income housing for stricter parking requirements than other types of housing might face, the law could be challenged as having a disparate impact on protected classes who disproportionately utilize affordable housing. However, because it is tied to a rational basis (infrastructure/transit availability), it likely passes the lowest level of scrutiny unless discriminatory intent is proven.

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Protects low-income residents from the financial burden of predatory towing or parking tickets by ensuring they have guaranteed, legal parking spaces at their residence.
Acknowledges the reality of transportation inequality in suburban areas, ensuring that working-class families who rely on cars for employment have adequate infrastructure to support their mobility.
May help reduce neighborhood friction and "NIMBY" opposition to affordable housing projects by addressing existing residents' concerns about street overcrowding, potentially smoothing the path for approval.
Significantly increases the cost of building affordable housing, which often leads to fewer units being built or projects being cancelled entirely, hurting those in need of shelter.
Reinforces car dependency and encourages urban sprawl rather than promoting environmentally friendly, walkable communities and public transit usage.
Disproportionately targets low-income housing for stricter regulations compared to market-rate developments, potentially stigmatizing affordable housing residents.

For Conservatives

Empowers the local government of Johnston to make zoning decisions that fit their specific community needs rather than being forced to follow broad state mandates.
Protects the property values and quality of life for existing homeowners by ensuring that new developments do not cause overflow parking to clog neighborhood streets.
Ensures that new developments are practically viable and self-sufficient by recognizing that most residents in the area rely on private vehicles.
Imposes heavier government regulations and mandates on private property developers, interfering with the free market's ability to determine the most efficient use of land.
Increases construction costs artificially, which distorts the housing market and may discourage private investment in the area.
Creates a "carve-out" law for a specific town, leading to a patchwork legal system rather than a consistent rule of law across 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.