§ 45-23-44. General provisions — Physical design requirements.
(a) All local regulations shall specify, through reasonable, objective standards and criteria, all physical design requirements for subdivisions and land-development projects that are to be reviewed and approved pursuant to the regulations. Regulations shall specify all requirements and policies for subdivisions and land-development projects that are not contained in the municipality’s zoning ordinance.
(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict a municipality’s right, within state and local regulations, to establish its own minimum lot size per zoning district in its town or city.
(c) The slope of land shall not be excluded from the calculation of the buildable lot area or the minimum lot size, or in the calculation of the number of buildable lots or units.
(d) Wetland buffers, as defined in § 2-1-20, shall be included in the calculation of a minimum lot area and in the total number of square feet or acres of a tract or parcel of land before calculating the maximum potential number of units or lots for development; provided, however, that this shall not apply to lots directly abutting surface reservoirs with direct withdrawals used for public drinking water. Nothing herein changes the definition and applicability of a “buildable lot” as set forth under § 45-23-60(a)(4); and nothing herein permits the disturbance of wetlands or wetland buffers or otherwise alters the provisions of the freshwater wetlands act, § 2-1-18 et seq.
(e) The requirements and policies may include, but are not limited to: requirements and policies for rights-of-way, open space, landscaping, connections of proposed streets and drainage systems with those of the surrounding neighborhood; public access through property to adjacent public property; and the relationship of proposed developments to natural and man-made features of the surrounding neighborhood.
(f) The regulations shall specify all necessary findings, formulas for calculations, and procedures for meeting the requirements and policies. These requirements and policies apply to all subdivisions and land development projects reviewed and/or administered under the local regulations.
History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 385, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 179, § 2; P.L. 2013, ch. 467, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 458, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 339, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 360, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 45-23 - Subdivision of Land
Section 45-23-1 - — 45-23-24. Repealed.
Section 45-23-26. - Requirement in all municipalities.
Section 45-23-27. - Applicability.
Section 45-23-28. - Continuation of ordinances — Supersession — Relation to other statutes.
Section 45-23-29. - Legislative findings and intent.
Section 45-23-32. - Definitions.
Section 45-23-33. - General provisions — Required contents of local regulations.
Section 45-23-34. - General provisions — Definitions.
Section 45-23-35. - General provisions — Pre-application meetings and concept review.
Section 45-23-37. - General provisions — Administrative subdivision.
Section 45-23-38. - General provisions — Minor land development and minor subdivision review.
Section 45-23-39. - General provisions — Major land development and major subdivision review stages.
Section 45-23-40. - General provisions — Major land development and major subdivision — Master plan.
Section 45-23-43. - General provisions — Major land development and major subdivision — Final plan.
Section 45-23-44. - General provisions — Physical design requirements.
Section 45-23-45. - General provisions — Public design and improvement standards.
Section 45-23-46. - General provisions — Construction and/or improvement guarantees.
Section 45-23-48. - Special provisions — Phasing of projects.
Section 45-23-49. - Special provisions — Land development projects.
Section 45-23-49.1. - Farmland residential compounds.
Section 45-23-50. - Special provisions — Development plan review.
Section 45-23-50.1. - Special provisions — Unified development review.
Section 45-23-51. - Local regulations — Authority to create and administer regulations.
Section 45-23-52. - Local regulations — Procedure for adoption and amendment.
Section 45-23-53. - Local regulations — Public hearing and notice requirements.
Section 45-23-54. - Local regulations — Publication and availability.
Section 45-23-55. - Administration — The administrative officer.
Section 45-23-56. - Administration — Technical review committee.
Section 45-23-57. - Administration — The board of appeal.
Section 45-23-58. - Administration — Administrative fees.
Section 45-23-59. - Administration — Violations and penalties.
Section 45-23-60. - Procedure — Required findings.
Section 45-23-62. - Procedure — Waivers — Modifications and reinstatement of plans.
Section 45-23-63.1. - Procedure — Tolling of expiration periods.
Section 45-23-64. - Procedure — Signing and recording of plats and plans.
Section 45-23-65. - Procedure — Changes to recorded plats and plans.
Section 45-23-66. - Appeals — Right of appeal.
Section 45-23-67. - Appeals — Process of appeal.
Section 45-23-68. - Appeals — Stay of proceedings.
Section 45-23-69. - Appeals — Public hearing.
Section 45-23-70. - Appeals — Standards of review.
Section 45-23-71. - Appeals to the superior court.
Section 45-23-72. - Appeals to the superior court — Enactment of or amendment of local regulations.
Section 45-23-73. - Appeals to the superior court — Priority in judicial proceedings.