Bill Summary: HB 5429 - Transit-Oriented Development

• Requires zoning regulations to allow "as of right" housing developments with a minimum density of 15 dwelling units per acre within a half-mile radius of passenger rail, commuter rail, or bus rapid transit stations, effective October 1, 2022.

• Limits parking requirements to one space per studio/one-bedroom unit and two spaces per unit with two or more bedrooms for qualifying transit-oriented developments.

• Mandates that developments with six or more units set aside at least 10 percent of dwelling units as assisted or affordable housing, with municipalities able to offer incentives for higher assisted housing percentages.

• Exempts certain lands from density requirements including wetlands, steep slopes, flood hazard areas, public parkland, and areas lacking water/sewer infrastructure.

• Requires zoning decisions on qualifying applications within 65 days and prohibits municipalities from using unreasonable costs or delays to discourage transit-oriented development or conditioning approval on correction of nonconforming uses.