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 […]
Real Estate 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
