Section 45-22.2-1. – Title.

§ 45-22.2-1. Title. This chapter shall be known as the “Rhode Island Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Regulation Act”. History of Section.P.L. 1988, ch. 601, § 1.

Section 45-22.2-10. – Coordination of state agencies.

§ 45-22.2-10. Coordination of state agencies. (a) State agencies shall develop their respective programs and conduct their respective activities in a manner consistent with the findings, intent, and goals established under this chapter. (b) The chief shall develop standards to assist municipalities in the incorporation of the state goals and policies into comprehensive plans, and […]

Section 45-22.2-11. – State technical and financial assistance.

§ 45-22.2-11. State technical and financial assistance. (a) There is established a program of technical and financial assistance for municipalities to encourage and facilitate the adoption and implementation of comprehensive planning throughout the state. The program is administered by the chief. (b) The chief shall develop and administer a grants program to provide financial assistance […]

Section 45-22.2-12. – Maintaining and re-adopting the plan.

§ 45-22.2-12. Maintaining and re-adopting the plan. (a) A municipality must maintain a single version of the comprehensive plan including all amendments, appendices, and supplements. One or more complete copies of the comprehensive plan including, all amendments, shall be made available for review by the public. Availability shall include print, digital formats, and placement on […]

Section 45-22.2-13. – Compliance and implementation.

§ 45-22.2-13. Compliance and implementation. (a) The municipality is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the plan. (b) All municipal land use decisions shall be in conformance with the locally adopted municipal comprehensive plan. (c) Each municipality shall amend its zoning ordinance and map to conform to the comprehensive plan in accordance with the […]

Section 45-22.2-14. – Severability.

§ 45-22.2-14. Severability. If any provision of this chapter or of any rule, regulation or determination made under it, or the application to any person, agency, or circumstances, is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of the chapter, rule, regulation, or determination and the application of the provisions to other persons, […]

Section 45-22.2-2. – Status of comprehensive plans; relation to other statutes.

§ 45-22.2-2. Status of comprehensive plans; relation to other statutes. (a) All lawfully adopted comprehensive plans shall remain in full force and effect but shall be brought into conformance with this chapter prior to July 1, 2017. (b) Nothing contained in this chapter is construed to supersede or diminish any regulatory or planning authority granted […]

Section 45-22.2-3. – Legislative findings and intent — Statement of goals.

§ 45-22.2-3. Legislative findings and intent — Statement of goals. (a) Findings. The general assembly recognizes these findings, each with equal priority and numbered for reference only, as representing the need for effective planning, declares that: (1) Comprehensive planning by municipal government is necessary to form a rational basis for the long-term physical development of […]

Section 45-22.2-4. – Definitions.

§ 45-22.2-4. Definitions. As used in this chapter the following words have the meanings stated herein: (1) “Agricultural land” means land suitable for agriculture by reason of suitability of soil or other natural characteristics or past use for agricultural purposes. (2) “Capacity” or “land capacity” means the suitability of the land, as defined by geology, […]

Section 45-22.2-5. – Formulation of comprehensive plans by cities and towns.

§ 45-22.2-5. Formulation of comprehensive plans by cities and towns. (a) The comprehensive plan is a statement (in text, maps, illustrations, or other media of communication) that is designed to provide a basis for rational decision making regarding the long-term physical development of the municipality. The definition of goals and policies relative to the distribution […]

Section 45-22.2-6. – Required content of a comprehensive plan.

§ 45-22.2-6. Required content of a comprehensive plan. (a) The comprehensive plan must utilize a minimum twenty (20) year planning timeframe in considering forecasts, goals, and policies. (b) The comprehensive plan must be internally consistent in its policies, forecasts, and standards, and shall include the content described within this section. The content described in subdivisions […]

Section 45-22.2-7. – Coordination of municipal planning activities.

§ 45-22.2-7. Coordination of municipal planning activities. (a) A municipality shall exercise its planning authority over the total land and inland water area within its jurisdiction. (b) Any combination of contiguous municipalities may, upon formal adoption of an official comprehensive planning and enforcement agreement by the municipal legislative bodies, conduct joint planning and regulatory programs […]

Section 45-22.2-8. – Preparation, adoption, and amendments of comprehensive plans.

§ 45-22.2-8. Preparation, adoption, and amendments of comprehensive plans. (a) The preparation of a comprehensive plan shall be conducted according to the following provisions in addition to any other provision that may be required by law: (1) In addition to the duties established by chapter 45-22, local planning board or commission, to the extent that […]

Section 45-22.2-9. – State review of local comprehensive plans.

§ 45-22.2-9. State review of local comprehensive plans. (a) There is established a program of comprehensive planning review to promote the preparation and implementation of local comprehensive plans, and to provide technical and financial assistance to accomplish this purpose. The program also ensures that all local comprehensive plans are consistent with the goals, findings, and […]

Section 45-22.2-9.1. – Appeals.

§ 45-22.2-9.1. Appeals. (a) A decision of the chief involving the disapproval of a comprehensive plan or amendment thereto, or rescission in whole or in part, of a plan approval may be appealed by the municipality under the provisions of chapter 35 of title 42, the Administrative Procedures Act, to a hearing officer designated by […]