The Rhode Island House of Representatives recently approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Jason Knight (D-Dist. 67, Barrington, Warren) that would allow multi-family housing development within Rhode Island’s Urban Services Boundary, which includes all of Barrington and most of the East Bay. 

The legislation (2025-H 5796aa), which is one of the 12 bills in Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi’s 2025 legislative package to address housing, would require that local zoning ordinances provide options that aren’t limited to detached single-family housing in those areas.

“Rhode Island desperately needs more housing units to be developed, and in particular, we need housing that ordinary people can afford. That means we need all kinds of housing, not just single-family homes on large lots,” Rep. Knight said.  

“Areas that are within the Urban Services Boundary and have available water and sewer lines shouldn’t be limited to single family housing development. 

“Allowing other options will put roofs over the heads of more Rhode Islanders more quickly and more affordably, and can contribute to vibrant, walkable neighborhoods while also preventing urban sprawl.”

The Urban Services Boundary is identified by the Rhode Island Statewide Planning Program, and it includes the more densely populated areas, almost all of which are in the eastern half of the state, stretching from Woonsocket through the area surrounding Providence and down the coast to parts of Narragansett, as well as parts of the East Bay and Aquidneck Island. According to an online map for the Urban Services Boundary, it includes all of Barrington and Warren and most of Bristol. 

A few densely developed pockets in other areas are also included.

The requirement in the bill would apply only to the areas of cities and towns that are within the Urban Services Boundary, and only in those areas that have public water and sewer service with available capacity. It would not prohibit single-family housing development there; it would require only that municipal zoning codes allow other options there as well.

The legislation will now go to the Senate.