(The Center Square) — Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee has signed a package of bills aimed at easing the state’s housing crunch by spurring the much-needed development of new homes.
The 14 bills signed by McKee on Thursday includes a mix of policy changes aimed at cutting through municipal red tape by preventing cities and towns from adding conditions around frontage and setbacks, or infrastructure for converting accessory structures like garages into housing, allowing modular homes to be built across the state, and provides incentives to redevelop abandoned properties, among other initiatives.
“Housing is a pathway to better health outcomes, good-paying jobs, generational wealth, and a stronger economy for our state,” McKee said in a statement. “I’m proud to sign these bills which will streamline production and cut through the red tape to spur more development across Rhode Island.”
A key provision will give homeowners the right to develop accessory dwelling units within the existing footprint of their structures or on any lot larger than 20,000 square feet, as long as the design satisfies building code, size limits and infrastructure requirements. Under current law, accessory units or “granny flats” were only permitted by property owners’ direct or disabled relatives and were restricted to owner-occupied properties.