Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Rhode Island General Assembly, fetched 2026-07-29. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. The official bill page.
S3161 2026 -- S 3161 ======== LC006211 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ A N A C T RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES Introduced By: Senator Jacob Bissaillon Date Introduced: March 27, 2026 Referred To: Senate Housing & Municipal Government It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 1 SECTION 1. Chapter 45-24 of the General Laws entitled Zoning Ordinances is hereby 2 amended by adding thereto the following section: 3 45-24-78. Student housing licensing. 4 (a) Definitions. When used in this section, the following words and phrases shall be given 5 the following meanings: 6 (1) “Student” means an individual enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at any 7 state college as defined in § 16-17.1-1 as well as any private university or college within the state. 8 who commutes to a campus. 9 (2) “Student housing” means a dwelling unit inhabited exclusively by students. 10 (b) Authority. 11 (1) A municipality may, through ordinance, require private real property owners to obtain 12 a license to operate a dwelling unit as student housing. An ordinance adopted pursuant to this 13 section may include, but is not limited to: 14 (i) Annual or periodic licensing or registration requirements; 15 (ii) Inspection requirements; 16 (iii) Enforcement procedures; and 17 (iv) Administrative appeal procedures. 18 (c) Applicability. 19 (1) This section shall apply to dwelling units located within the boundaries of the 1 municipality enacting the ordinance. 2 (2) This section shall not apply to: 3 (i) Dormitories, residence halls, or other housing owned, operated, or directly controlled 4 by an educational institution; 5 (ii) Dwelling units owned or leased by an educational institution; and 6 (iii) Dwelling units where rents are regulated under a federal, state, or local housing 7 program limiting rent levels including, but not limited to, public housing or units rented through 8 subsidies, vouchers or waiver programs. 9 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. ======== LC006211 ======== LC006211 - Page 2 of 3 EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF A N A C T RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES *** 1 This act would authorize municipalities, through ordinance, to require private real property 2 owners to obtain a license to operate a dwelling unit as student housing. 3 This act would take effect upon passage. ======== LC006211 ======== LC006211 - Page 3 of 3
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