Forty percent of Vermonters live in historic buildings, and we all cherish landmark libraries, town halls, schools, and churches that give our communities unique identities. Bringing these public buildings into compliance with codes sometimes presents significant challenges, but it is worth the effort to find creative solutions to make them firesafe and accessible without destroying their character. The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation maintains a list of funding sources available for historic preservation. The list includes available funding for non-profits, municipalities, and private business and is updated each year. Many funding sources require that an applicant provide money or in-kind time or services to match a grant.
All sources can provide specific information on matching requirements.
Public Buildings Department of Labor and Industry permits and standards apply to all public buildings. A public building is any structure that the public might have occasion to enter. All structures are public buildings except an owner-occupied single family dwelling, a residential day care facility, or a working farm. The Fire Prevention Division in the Department of Labor and Industry is responsible for all building, construction, and occupancy permits in these buildings. Although the Department relies on a consistent set of standards, there are many different classifications within these codes.