Permits but not directs a municipality to establish, by ordinance, certain requirements regarding accessory dwelling units regarding ownership for 5 years, non-family ADUs to be rented at affordable rates and limit size to 1,000 sq. ft.

Rhode Island Senate Bill: Accessory Dwelling Unit Local Rules

This bill gives Rhode Island cities and towns the option — but not the requirement — to pass their own local rules about accessory dwelling units (ADUs). ADUs are smaller, secondary housing units built on the same property as a main home, such as an in-law apartment, a garage conversion, or a small backyard cottage. Under this bill, municipalities could choose to establish specific conditions around how these units are built and used.

Specifically, if a city or town decides to act, it could require that a property owner live on the property for at least five years before building an ADU, limit the size of ADUs to no more than 1,000 square feet, and require that ADUs rented to non-family members be offered at affordable rental rates. Each of these rules would only apply in communities that choose to adopt them through a local ordinance — no community would be automatically bound by them.

This bill primarily affects homeowners who want to add an ADU to their property, local governments deciding how to manage housing in their communities, and renters who might live in ADUs. Supporters of local control may see this as a way for towns to manage growth carefully, while housing advocates may view the restrictions as potential barriers to adding more housing. The bill is currently being held for further study by a Senate committee.