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East Providence council lowers ADU lot‑size threshold to 5,000 square feet in zoning overhaul
Summary
After a public hearing and extensive comment from residents and a housing consultant, the council amended and approved revisions to the city zoning code to add accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and other updates to conform with recent state land‑use laws; the council voted 5–0 to reduce the proposed ADU minimum lot size to 5,000 sq ft.
The East Providence City Council voted unanimously to amend the city’s zoning ordinance and adopt a package of updates meant to conform local rules to recent state land‑use bills and to expand options for accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
The council amended the draft ordinance to lower the minimum lot size for a detached ADU from the planning department’s proposed 7,500 square feet to 5,000 square feet. Council Vice President Rigo moved the change; Councilwoman Souza seconded it. The amendment passed on roll call, 5–0, and the ordinance was approved on final passage by the same margin.
The measure inserts new ADU provisions into Chapter 19 of the revised ordinances, limits ADUs to a maximum of two bedrooms (no more than 1,200 square feet or 60% of the principal dwelling’s floor area, whichever is smaller), and adjusts parking and lot‑coverage rules. Planning staff said the changes also include new special‑use criteria for some multifamily forms and require online permitting by a state deadline.
Christian Scully, owner of BlueADU, testified at the council’s public hearing and urged the council not to rely on a high minimum lot size. “We feel that the 7,500 square foot rule kinda doesn't make a lot of sense to us,” Scully said, arguing that existing zoning limits (setbacks, parking and lot coverage) already restrict where new detached units can be built and that allowing smaller lots would help families provide multigenerational housing.
Planning staff told the council that other safeguards remain: property owners must obtain building permits, meet fire and building codes, and comply with lot‑coverage and setback rules; variances remain available in appropriate cases. At the hearing the planning representative said the 5,000‑square‑foot threshold was proposed to balance state law changes with local concerns about density and parking.
Supporters called the ordinance a tool to increase housing supply and to let families care for older relatives at home; opponents and some council members raised concerns about street parking and neighborhood character. Council members emphasized that the ADU rules still require compliance with other zoning limits and that many smaller lots will be constrained by existing setbacks and lot coverage standards.
The amendment and final ordinance passed unanimously. Next steps outlined by staff include mapping updates to conform the zoning map to the comprehensive plan and continuing work on complementary drafts (including an inclusionary zoning ordinance that is not before the council tonight).
The council thanked planning staff and residents who spoke at the hearing. The ordinance will be implemented in the coming weeks as administrative updates are completed.
