Connecticut requires summary review of two-to-nine-unit buildings on commercial lots, parking alone cannot defeat small projects
Since July 1, 2026, Connecticut's housing law bars towns from rejecting residential projects of 16 units or fewer solely for lack of required parking, and requires summary review of two-to-nine-unit buildings on commercial or mixed-use lots. Local regulations and pending applications should be examined against both.
Provisions of Public Act 25-1 of the November 2025 Special Session that took effect on July 1, 2026 now limit what Connecticut municipalities can require for off-street parking and require them to approve certain small multifamily and mixed-use buildings through summary review. As summarized by the Office of Legislative Research in report 2026-R-0101 (July 7, 2026), a zoning enforcement officer or commission cannot reject a residential development of 16 or fewer units solely for failing to meet off-street parking minimums under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 8-3n, unless the lack of parking creates a specific adverse public health or safety impact that conditions cannot mitigate. Section 3 of Public Act 26-129 further amended these provisions.
Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 8-2c, 8-2r, 8-2s, 8-3n, 8-3o (2026 Supp.); Public Act 25-1 (Nov. Sp. Sess.), §§ 11, 16, 19-21; Public Act 26-129, § 3; Office of Legislative Research Report 2026-R-0101 (July 7, 2026)