S 3092Cities & Towns

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

Towns can receive a one-year deadline extension to update their comprehensive plans if they show active progress.

Held for study

Population
Affected

Introduced Mar 13, 2026Committee Senate Housing & Municipal Government

Plain-English Summary

This legislation amends the "Rhode Island Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Act" to allow cities and towns to request more time to update their comprehensive plans. Specifically, the Rhode Island Division of Statewide Planning can grant a one-time extension of up to 12 months. To qualify, a municipality must submit a written request and prove they are actively working on the update, such as by hiring consultants or holding public hearings. During this extension, the town's existing plan remains valid for zoning and funding purposes.

For younger readers

Every town has a big plan that decides how the town grows and where things can be built. Sometimes, towns have to update these plans by a specific date. This new rule says that if a town is trying hard to finish their new plan but needs more time, the state can give them one extra year. While they use this extra time, the old plan stays in charge so that important town business, like building rules and getting money for projects, doesn't stop.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Municipal PlannersCity and Town CouncilsReal Estate DevelopersProperty OwnersState Planning Officials

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Ensures that municipalities have adequate time to conduct thorough public outreach and workshops, fostering greater community participation and democratic engagement in local planning.
Protects towns from losing eligibility for state or federal funding due to missed deadlines, ensuring that resources for social services and community development are not interrupted.
Prioritizes the quality of comprehensive plans over rigid adherence to deadlines, allowing for more thoughtful consideration of complex issues like affordable housing and environmental justice.
Delays the implementation of updated comprehensive plans, which are often necessary to enact modern zoning reforms that address the housing crisis and promote equity.
May allow municipalities to maintain outdated or exclusionary land-use policies for an additional year, slowing down progress on systemic reforms.
Could provide cover for local governments that have been dragging their feet on necessary changes, rather than holding them accountable for timely action.

For Conservatives

Supports local control by giving municipal governments the flexibility to manage their planning processes without being crushed by rigid state mandates.
Ensures that existing zoning and regulatory frameworks remain legally valid, providing stability for property owners and businesses during the transition period.
Promotes fiscal responsibility by preventing rushed planning decisions that could lead to costly mistakes or litigation simply to meet an arbitrary deadline.
Expands the discretionary power of unelected state bureaucrats in the Division of Statewide Planning to decide which towns deserve extensions.
Creates uncertainty for developers and property owners who are waiting for new plans to be finalized before initiating projects.
Undermines the rule of law by softening deadlines, potentially rewarding inefficient municipal governments that failed to manage their time properly.

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.