Today, the Vermont Legislature overrode the Governor of Vermont’s Veto of H.687, a drastic overhauling of Vermont’s Act 250 law. The new law greatly reworks Act 250 jurisdiction over both residential and commercial properties. It will have the heaviest impact on central, southern and northern Vermont, and rural or wooded properties with long driveways […]
Vermont Law
South Burlington Residents Must Act Now to File Re-Assessment Appeals
City of South Burlington Offers Little Time for Residential Property Grievances, Hearings Must Be Scheduled by June 18 Unhappy with your South Burlington Tax Assessment? Act now or you may lose your ability to file a tax assessment grievance. Updated South Burlington tax assessments were mailed on June 4, but the City will only allow […]
Should You Appeal a Property Tax Assessment in Vermont?
Eye-popping property tax assessments in Vermont have many residents considering an assessment appeal. Before you file an assessment appeal, you should consider the circumstances and gather as much information as you can about properties that compare to your own. Your assessment may be higher, but it may not be wrong. Why are Burlington, Vermont tax […]
Vermont Trail Use in Legal Limbo Following Governor’s Executive Order
Act 250 May No Longer Regulate Vermont Trail Development and Use On October 5, 2020, the Governor of Vermont issued Executive Order No. 04-20. The Order suspended all currently pending litigation to which the State is a party related to the imposition of Act 250 jurisdiction on a Vermont recreational trail or trail system. […]
Vermont Section 545 May Ban Certain Real Estate Covenants and Easements
Vermont Property Owners Must Act Before December 31 to Preserve Land Use Rights On October 12, 2020, Governor Scott signed S. 237, Act 179, into law. This bill was designed to promote affordable housing in the State of Vermont. Act 179 comes with major issues however. The biggest problem is the addition of […]
Statute of Limitations: Can a Town or City Issue a Notice of Violation?
Vermont law establishes a 15-year statute of limitations for municipalities to issue zoning violations. 24 V.S.A. § 4454. The Vermont Supreme Court recently ruled that this statute of limitations applies both to uses of property and structures or improvements that violate municipal zoning regulations. In re 204 North Ave. NOV, 2019 VT 52. Because […]
Keys for Out-of-State Buyers of Vermont Real Estate
If you are from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey or New York, there are some things you should know before you buy Vermont real estate, whether it is open land, a house, or a condominium. Vermont has some of the strictest land use laws in the United States and it is best to find experienced, local […]
Can a Contract be Terminated Because of COVID-19?
Governments across the country have closed public institutions and private businesses such as bars, restaurants, and cafés to limit the spread of COVID-19. In addition, businesses outside of the hospitality industry have closed offices and scaled back operations pursuant to government-imposed “shelter-in-place” or “safer-at-home” orders. Even absent such orders, businesses are reducing operations pursuant to […]
