Tonight, the Committee on Ordinances recommended for first passage a change to the zoning ordinance that will work to preserve the quality of life in our residential neighborhoods and will help protect the much-needed housing stock in the city of Providence. The minor change to the zoning ordinance will put limitations on short-term housing rentals in residential zoned neighborhoods.

With the growth of company’s like Airbnb, we have found ourselves, as many other cities have, at a crossroads. How do we protect our neighborhoods, our shortage of housing stock, and also embrace investment opportunities for our residents?

We believe that by making these slight changes to the zoning codes in residential neighborhoods we will achieve that end. After the second and final passage of this ordinance in June, short-term rental properties in residentially zoned neighborhoods will need to be permitted and will also need to be owner-occupied.

This decision came after much discussion and deliberation with community members and city planning officials. We believe that this change will preserve housing stock, quality of life for our neighbors, and will continue to allow investment opportunities for residents.

–Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan, Chairwoman, Committee on Ordinances