Rhode Island Accessory Dwelling Unit State Law

§ 45-24-73. Design standards required for accessory dwelling units — Consistent statewide treatment of accessory dwelling units required. (a) Pursuant to § 45-24-37, one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) per lot shall be allowed by right under the following circumstances: (1) On an owner-occupied property as a reasonable accommodation for family members with disabilities; or (2) On a lot with a total lot area of twenty thousand square feet (20,000 sq. ft.) or more for which the primary use is residential; or (3) Where the proposed ADU is located within the existing footprint of the primary structure or existing accessory attached or detached structure and does not expand the footprint of the structure. (b) Uniform standards. (1) A municipality may establish a maximum unit size for an ADU but such limitation must allow, subject to applicable dimensional requirements: (i) A studio or one bedroom ADU of at least nine hundred square feet (900 sq. ft), or sixty percent (60%) of the floor area of the principal dwelling, whichever is less; and (ii) A two-bedroom (2) ADU of at least twelve hundred square feet (1,200 sq. ft.), or sixty percent (60%) of the floor area of the principal dwelling, whichever is less. (2) For all ADU applications, a municipality shall not: (i) Restrict tenants based on familial relationships or age unless such restriction is necessary to comply with the terms of the federal subsidy related to affordability;