S 3035Cities & Towns

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

North Providence may require two parking spaces for affordable housing units if public transit or nearby parking is scarce.

Introduced

Population
Affected

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Introduced Mar 5, 2026Committee Senate Housing & Municipal Government

Plain-English Summary

This legislation specifically affects the town of North Providence regarding the construction of affordable housing. It grants the town the authority to mandate 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 officials determine that the area lacks sufficient public transportation or that there is not enough available off-street parking nearby. This creates a specific exception to standard zoning or planning rules for this municipality.

For younger readers

This rule is just for the town of North Providence. Sometimes, builders make apartments that cost less money so more people can afford to live there. This new rule says that for these specific apartments, the town can tell the builders they must make two parking spots for every home. The town is only allowed to do this if there are not enough buses nearby or if there isn't enough room to park cars on the street. This helps make sure the people living there have a place to put their cars.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Housing DevelopersLow-Income RentersNorth Providence Town OfficialsNorth Providence ResidentsUrban Planners

Impacted communities

North Providence

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Ensures that working-class individuals living in areas with poor public transit have guaranteed functionality for their vehicles, which are often essential for maintaining employment in transit deserts.
Prevents low-income residents from being subjected to predatory towing fees or parking tickets that occur when housing developments are built without adequate parking infrastructure.
Reduces potential friction between new low-income residents and existing neighborhoods regarding street parking competition, potentially easing social integration.
Increases the cost of construction per unit significantly, which often results in developers building fewer affordable housing units overall.
Encourages automobile dependency and increases carbon emissions by prioritizing parking infrastructure over public transit usage or walkable design.
Utilizes valuable land for asphalt and car storage that could otherwise be used for green space, community amenities, or additional housing units.

For Conservatives

Empowers local municipal government to make zoning decisions based on the specific needs of their community rather than adhering to a one-size-fits-all state mandate.
Protects the property values and quality of life of existing homeowners by preventing street congestion and overcrowding caused by new developments.
Ensures that infrastructure keeps pace with population growth by requiring developers to provide necessary amenities rather than burdening the public streets.
Imposes additional government regulations and mandates on private businesses and property developers, interfering with the free market.
Grants government officials broad discretionary power to determine what constitutes "reasonable proximity" or "limited" transportation, inviting potential abuse or arbitrary enforcement.
Increases the cost of doing business for developers, potentially stifling economic activity and investment in the housing sector within the town.

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. North Providence low- or moderate-income housing parking spaces. The town of North Providence 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.