RI S2696

Restores provisions repealed in 2025 regarding when affordable housing units can be counted toward a municipality's low- and moderate-income housing requirements—specifically, units shall be counted at the issuance of a building permit rather than at a later stage.

Reinstates specific grounds for denial of comprehensive permit applications, including: inconsistency with an approved affordable housing plan, nonconformance with local needs or comprehensive plans, the municipality having met housing thresholds, or significant unmitigable health/safety impacts.

Requires at least 25% of housing units in a comprehensive permit project to be low- or moderate-income housing, with affordability restrictions lasting a minimum of 30 years (up to 99 years).

Establishes mandatory density bonuses for municipalities below the 10% affordable housing threshold, ranging from 3-12 units per acre depending on infrastructure availability and percentage of affordable units proposed.

Takes effect July 1, 2026.