Priority Housing Development Zones

PRIORITY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ZONES

Overview

Public Act 25-1 of the November Special Session granted Connecticut Municipalities the authority to adopt Priority Housing Development Zones (“PHDZ”). Effective January 1, 2026, municipalities may apply to the Department of Housing (“DOH”) for determination of eligibility for a statutorily compliant PHDZ. If municipalities meet the requirements of the legislation, including the minimum densities outlined therein, and receive a final letter of eligibility from the Commissioner of DOH, such municipalities may apply for a certificate of affordable housing project completion (aka “Moratorium”) under a decreased threshold of housing unit-equivalent points, as detailed under 8-30g of the Connecticut General Statutes (“CGS”).

Requirements

The requirements for a PHDZ are as follows:

• The Zone shall be consistent with the State Plan of Conservation and Development
• The Zone must meet the minimum densities established by the legislation:

o 4 units per acre for single-family detached housing;
o 6 units per acre for duplex or townhouse housing; and
o 10 units per acre for multifamily housing.

• The Zone shall be not less than 10% of the total developable land within the municipality, as defined by Sec. 4(5) of P.A. 25-1 of the November Special Session.
• The Zone shall be consistent with the housing growth plan or regional housing growth plan, as defined by Sec. 4(1) and Sec. 4(2) of P.A. 25-1, as approved for the municipality in which such Zone is located
• The regulations established to create a PHDZ shall satisfy the provisions set forth in sections 8-2 (CGS), including, but not limited to, subdivisions (4) to (6), of subsection (b) of that section.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. See the relevant sections of Public Act 25-1 of the November Special Session for a complete description of the requirements and rules governing Priority Housing Development Zones.

Affordable Housing Project Completion

The municipality may apply for a certificate of affordable housing project completion under a reduced threshold so long as it remains in compliance with the final letter of eligibility as issued by the Commissioner.

Intake Form (Microsoft Forms)

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/iesRMrv0g4

After completing the intake form, DOH will reach out to request supporting documentation required by Public Act 25-1, including but not limited to, a map of the proposed zone, proposed regulations, developable land calculations, and any other required materials.