RI H8036

Co-living/Single Room Occupancy (SRO) housing must be permitted by right in all zones allowing residential use, including single-family, multifamily, commercial, and mixed-use districts, without requiring special permits, variances, or public hearings

Municipalities cannot impose parking requirements for co-living properties within 1/2 mile of transit stations, and properties beyond that distance are limited to 1/4 parking space per sleeping unit

Sleeping units count as only 1/4 of a dwelling unit for density calculations, and municipalities cannot impose design, code, or operational standards more restrictive than other residential uses in the same zone

Municipalities are prohibited from restricting occupancy based on age, familial status, occupation, income source, disability, or relationship status, and cannot require co-living properties to participate in affordable housing or rent control programs

Municipalities must adopt compliant ordinances by January 1, 2027, or state requirements automatically prevail; aggrieved parties may seek relief in superior court with attorney's fees awarded to prevailing plaintiffs