Requires that accessory dwelling units be allowed by right only if the property is owner-occupied and has been so occupied for at least 5 years.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would change the rules around accessory dwelling units (ADUs) — sometimes called in-law apartments, granny flats, or backyard cottages — in Rhode Island. Under current state law, ADUs can be built "by right," meaning a homeowner can add one to their property without needing special approval from local zoning boards. This bill would add a condition: to enjoy that automatic approval, the property owner must live on the property and must have been doing so for at least five years.

In practical terms, this means that if you bought a home recently (within the last five years) or if you don't personally live at the property, you would lose the "by right" status for building an ADU. You might still be able to build one, but you would likely need to go through a more involved local approval process, which can take longer and is not guaranteed. The five-year owner-occupancy requirement is intended to limit which properties can take the simpler, automatic route to adding a smaller housing unit.

This bill would affect homeowners, real estate investors, and renters across Rhode Island. Homeowners who have recently purchased a property or who rent it out would face more hurdles if they want to add an ADU. Supporters of such restrictions often argue it helps maintain neighborhood character and keeps ADUs tied to owner-occupied homes, while housing advocates sometimes argue rules like this slow down the creation of new housing. The bill was referred to the Senate Housing and Municipal Government Committee and has been recommended to be held for further study, meaning it has not moved forward yet.