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 […]
Vermont Law
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 […]
Immigration Service Slow to Respond to Coronavirus Crisis
Beyond the much-heralded partial closure of our borders, the offices responsible for administering U.S. immigration law have been slow and have acted in a piecemeal fashion in responding to the challenges posed by the Coronavirus outbreak. Here is a current list of representative measures that have been put in place. This list is partial, […]
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 […]
Business Insurance Coverage due to COVID-19 Closures
Governments across the country have closed public institutions and businesses such as bars, restaurants and cafés to limit the spread of COVID-19. These closures are necessary measures to deal with a significant threat to public health. These closures will have substantial impacts to these business’ income. A reasonable question our clients are asking is […]
Trump Administration Implements New Public Charge Rules Making Legal Immigration More Difficult
Immigrants in Vermont Should File Soon to Avoid Potential Changes In August, the Trump Administration announced that new regulations were taking effect on October 15 that would dramatically change the way that United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) determined whether an alien was likely to be a “public charge.” On October 11, 2019, […]
Changes to Act 250 on Vermont Legislative Agenda
Changes to Act 250, Vermont’s historic state-wide land use law, are before the House Committee on Natural Resources, Fish, and Wildlife. In addition to updated and amended Criteria, the Committee is considering altering the appeal of permits issued by regional District Commissions. Presently, appeals from District Commission decisions are heard by the Vermont Superior Court, […]
Vermont Property Tax Appraisals – Do I Need to Respond to a Request for Information Sent by the Town Assessor or Listers?
The City of Burlington, Vermont plans to reappraise all property in the spring of 2020 and recently mailed every property owner in the city a letter asking for information relating to their property. Vermont reappraisals typically take place on a five- to seven-year cycle, either on a town-wide basis or among grouped properties, such […]
