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 […]
Vermont Law
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 […]
Biden Administration Reverses Trump “Public Charge” Rule
Since the 19th Century, U.S. Immigration laws have sought to bar entry to immigrants who are likely to become “public charges.” In more recent times, that term has been defined as individuals who are likely to need means-tested public benefits, such as welfare and SNAP benefits. Until last year, the showing that a green card […]
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 […]
Immigration Service Avoids Shutdown but Warns of Delays
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) receives its funding from application fees of those seeking immigration benefits – visas, green cards and citizenship. Because of policies adopted by the Trump administration, the number of such applications has dropped considerably, especially with regard to employment-based visas such as the H-1B and L-1. The decrease was occurring […]
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 […]
