Do You need a Local Zoning Permit?

If a town has a zoning ordinance, then you will likely need a zoning permit before commencing work on your project. Most towns and cities in Vermont have adopted a zoning ordinance. For instance, in the Central Vermont are every town and city has adopted zoning, except for four towns: Orange, Roxbury, Williamstown and Worcester.

Most towns require zoning permits for development activities. Some of the things that may require a zoning permit include:

• Any new construction or any conversion or alteration of an existing building
• Construction or enlargement of steps, decks, porches, pools, fences or sheds
• Addition of any new signs
• A home occupation or home business
• Subdivision of properties or changes in property line configurations
• Changes in parking lot configurations
• Any change of use of a building

When in doubt, the applicant should always check with Zoning Administrator. (Note: If the administrator fails to approve or disapprove a zoning application within 30 days of its submission, the permit is approved automatically on the 31st day.)

Some common activities that may not require a zoning permit include:

• Replacement of siding, roofs, windows, decks, porches, doors, and signs
• Replacement of existing fencing with the same material and size as the original
• Painting
• Minor grading or excavation
• Replacement of a building, or portion thereof, where the replacement is substantially equivalent
  to the original location and configuration
• Swimming pools less than 150 sq ft