§ 45-24-46.1. Inclusionary zoning. [Effective January 1, 2024.]

(a)  A zoning ordinance requiring the inclusion of affordable housing as part of a development shall provide that the housing will be affordable housing, as defined in § 42-128-8.1(d)(1); that the affordable housing will constitute not less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the total units in the development; and that the units will remain affordable for a period of not less than thirty (30) years from initial occupancy enforced through a land lease and/or deed restriction enforceable by the municipality and the state of Rhode Island. A zoning ordinance that requires the inclusion of affordable housing as part of a development shall specify the threshold in which the inclusion of affordable housing is required, but in no event shall a minimum threshold triggering the inclusion of affordable housing be higher than ten (10) dwelling units.

(b)  A zoning ordinance that includes inclusionary zoning may provide that the affordable housing must be built on-site or utilize one or more alternative methods of production, including, but not limited to: off-site construction or rehabilitation; donation of land suitable for development of the required affordable units; and/or the payment of a fee in lieu of the construction or provision of affordable housing units.

(c)   Density bonus, zoning incentives, and municipal subsidies. For all projects subject to inclusionary zoning, subject to applicable setback, lot width, or frontage requirements or the granting of relief from the same, a municipality shall allow the addition of two (2) market rate units for each affordable unit provided and the minimum lot area per dwelling unit normally required in the applicable zoning district shall be reduced by that amount necessary to accommodate the development. Larger density bonuses for the provision of an increased percentage of affordable housing in a development may be provided by a municipality in the zoning ordinance. Nothing herein shall prohibit a municipality from providing, or an applicant from requesting, additional zoning incentives and/or municipal government subsidies as defined in § 45-53-3 to offset differential costs of affordable units. Available zoning incentives and municipal government subsidies shall be listed in the zoning ordinance.

(d)   Fee-in-lieu. To the extent a municipality provides an option for the payment of a fee-in-lieu of the construction or provision of affordable housing, such fee shall be the choice of the developer or builder applied on a per-unit basis and may be used for new developments, purchasing property and/or homes, rehabilitating properties, or any other manner that creates additional low- or moderate-income housing as defined in § 45-53-3(9).

(1)  Eligibility for density bonus. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, an application that utilizes a fee-in-lieu of the construction or provision of affordable housing shall not be eligible for the density bonus outlined in this section.

(2)  An application that seeks to utilize a fee-in-lieu of the construction or provision of affordable housing must be permitted by the planning board or commission and is not eligible for administrative review under the Rhode Island Land Development and Subdivision Review Enabling Act of 1992, codified at § 45-23-25 — § 45-23-74.

(3)  Amount of fee-in-lieu. For affordable single-family homes and condominium units, the per-unit fee shall be the difference between the maximum affordable sales price for a family of four (4) earning eighty percent (80%) of the area median income as determined annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the average cost of developing a single unit of affordable housing. The average cost of developing a single unit of affordable housing shall be determined annually based on the average, per-unit development cost of affordable homes financed by Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation (RIHMFC) over the previous three (3) years, excluding existing units that received preservation financing.

(i)  Notwithstanding subsection (d)(3) of this section, in no case shall the per-unit fee for affordable single family homes and condominium units be less than forty thousand dollars ($40,000).

(4)  Use of fee-in-lieu. The municipality shall deposit all in-lieu payments into restricted accounts that shall be allocated and spent only for the creation and development of affordable housing within the municipality serving individuals or families at or below eighty percent (80%) of the area median income. The municipality shall maintain a local affordable housing board to oversee the funds in the restricted accounts and shall allocate the funds within three (3) years of collection. The municipality shall include in the housing element of their local comprehensive plan and shall pass by ordinance, the process it will use to allocate the funds.

(e)  As an alternative to the provisions of subsection (d), the municipality may elect to transfer in-lieu payments promptly upon receipt or within the three-year (3) period after receipt. A municipality shall transfer all fee-in-lieu payments that are not allocated within three (3) years of collection, including funds held as of July 1, 2024, to RIHMFC for the purpose of developing affordable housing within that community.

(f)  Both the municipalities and RIHMFC shall report annually with the first report due December 31, 2024, to the general assembly, the secretary of housing, and the housing resources commission the amount of fees in lieu collected by community, the projects that were provided funding with the fees, the dollar amounts allocated to the projects, and the number of units created.