reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 76 - Economic Development Performance Grants › § 2786. Applicability of State laws

§ 2786. Applicability of State laws
(a) A service provider awarded a performance grant by the Secretary under this chapter shall be subject to 1 V.S.A. chapter 5, subchapter 2 (open meetings) and 1 V.S.A. chapter 5, subchapter 3 (public records), except that in addition to any limitation provided in subchapter 2 or 3:
(1) no person shall disclose any information relating to a proposed transaction or agreement between the service provider and another person, in furtherance of the service provider’s public purposes under the law, prior to final execution of such transaction or agreement; and
(2) meetings of the service provider’s board to consider such proposed transactions or agreements may be held in executive session under 1 V.S.A. § 313.
(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the exchange of information between or among regional development corporations or regional planning commissions concerning any activity of the corporations and the commissions, provided that such information shall be subject to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.
(c) The provisions of 2 V.S.A. chapter 11 (registration of lobbyists) shall apply to regional development corporations and regional planning commissions. (Added 1977, No. 112, § 1; amended 1979, No. 165 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; 1987, No. 256 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; 1995, No. 46, § 32; 2009, No. 146 (Adj. Sess.), § G3; 2015, No. 157 (Adj. Sess.), § C.1, eff. July 1, 2017.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 76 - Economic Development Performance Grants › § 2787. Economic development strategy; deference to regional plans; CEDS

§ 2787. Economic development strategy; deference to regional plans; CEDS
In the event a major employer in an economic region announces a closure, relocation, or other significant action that will impact directly and indirectly jobs or wages in the region, and a regional planning commission has adopted a regional plan pursuant to section 4348 of this title or a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) approved by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, or both, and the plan or CEDS, or both, includes mitigation strategies to address substantial local and regional economic and fiscal challenges related to that employer, including closure, relocation, or reduction in workforce, then:
(1) the Executive Branch shall defer to the regional plan and CEDS when using or distributing funds or other resources meant to mitigate anticipated local and regional economic and fiscal challenges, or shall provide the regional planning commission for the region with its basis for not deferring to the plan and the CEDS; and
(2) the Executive Branch shall involve the regional planning commission and regional development corporation for the region in decisions regarding the use or distribution of those funds or resources. (Added 2015, No. 51, § F.1, eff. June 3, 2015.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 76A - Historic Downtown Development › § 2792. Vermont Downtown Development Board

§ 2792. Vermont Downtown Development Board
(a) A “Vermont Downtown Development Board,” also referred to as the “State Board,” is created to administer the provisions of this chapter. The State Board shall be composed of the following members or their designees:
(1) The Secretary of Commerce and Community Development.
(2) The Secretary of Transportation.
(3) The Secretary of Natural Resources.
(4) The Commissioner of Public Safety.
(5) The State Historic Preservation Officer.
(6) A person appointed by the Governor from a list of three names submitted by the Vermont Natural Resources Council and the Preservation Trust of Vermont.
(7) A person appointed by the Governor from a list of three names submitted by the Association of Chamber Executives.
(8) Three public members representative of local government, one of whom shall be designated by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, and two shall be appointed by the Governor.
(9) A member of the Vermont Planners Association (VPA) designated by the Association.
(10) The Chair of the Natural Resources Board or a representative of the Natural Resources Board designated by the Chair.
(11) A representative of a regional planning commission designated by the Vermont Association of Planning and Development Agencies (VAPDA) and an alternate representative designated by VAPDA to enable all applications to be considered by a representative from a regional planning commission other than the one of which the applicant municipality is a member. The alternate designated by VAPDA may vote only when the designated representative does not vote.
(b) [Repealed.]
(c) The State Board shall elect a chair and vice chair from among its membership.
(d) The Department shall provide staff and administrative support to the State Board, shall produce guidelines to direct municipalities seeking to obtain designation under this chapter, and shall pay per diem compensation for board members pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 1010(b).
(e) [Repealed.]
(f) [Repealed.] (Added 1997, No. 120 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2005, No. 8, § 6b, eff. April 25, 2005; 2005, No. 183 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2007, No. 147 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 16, 2008; 2007, No. 176 (Adj. Sess.), § 15, eff. May 28, 2008; 2009, No. 136 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2013, No. 11, § 25; 2013, No. 59, § 3; 2023, No. 78, § F.10, eff. July 1, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 76A - Historic Downtown Development › § 2795. Considerations for competitive-based incentives

§ 2795. Considerations for competitive-based incentives
In awarding competitive-based financial incentives under section 2794 of this title, including a rebate and tax incentives, or in awarding grants or other assistance from the Downtown Transportation and Related Capital Improvement Fund under section 2796 of this title, the Vermont Downtown Development Board shall give consideration to the following factors:
(1) the vacancy rate for existing buildings in the downtown district;
(2) the current or projected unemployment rate for the labor market area in which the municipality is located;
(3) ordinances or bylaws adopted by the municipality that support the preservation of the downtown’s vitality, including:
(A) an ordinance or bylaw requiring that new construction in the downtown development district shall be compatible with the buildings that contribute to the integrity of the district, in terms of materials, features, size, scale and proportion, and massing of buildings, and that exterior rehabilitation shall respect the historic and architectural significance and its exterior features; and
(B) a conditional use provision in a town zoning ordinance that supports adaptive reuse of historic properties;
(4) the integration of the proposed improvements with any coordinated plan for the downtown district and surrounding area;
(5) the degree of any deficiency in the downtown district of transportation infrastructure including parking facilities;
(6) the vulnerability of the downtown district to economic decline due to competing development in adjacent areas;
(7) the immediacy of the benefits provided and the desirability of prompt action to secure those benefits for a downtown district;
(8) the amount of investment from individual Vermont taxpayers that has been committed to projects in the downtown district. In considering this factor, the Board shall recognize the value of individuals participating in downtown projects by giving preference to applications for incentives from individual Vermont taxpayers, and projects coordinated by developers who have encouraged the participation of such investors. (Added 1997, No. 120 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1999, No. 159 (Adj. Sess.), § 33.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 76A - Historic Downtown Development › § 2796. Downtown Transportation and Related Capital Improvement Fund

§ 2796. Downtown Transportation and Related Capital Improvement Fund
(a) There is created a Downtown Transportation and Related Capital Improvement Fund, to be also known as the Fund, which shall be a special fund created under 32 V.S.A. chapter 7, subchapter 5, to be administered by the Vermont Downtown Development Board in accordance with this chapter to aid municipalities with designated downtown districts in financing capital transportation and related improvement projects to support economic development.
(b) The Fund shall be comprised of the following:
(1) such State or federal funds as may be appropriated by the General Assembly;
(2) any gifts, grants, or other contributions to the Fund;
(3) proceeds from the issuance of general obligation bonds.
(c) Any municipality with a designated downtown development district may apply to the Vermont Downtown Development Board for financial assistance from the Fund for capital transportation and related improvement projects within or serving the district. The Board may award to any municipality grants in amounts not to exceed $250,000.00 annually, loans, or loan guarantees for financing capital transportation projects, including construction or alteration of roads and highways, parking facilities, and rail or bus facilities or equipment, or for the underground relocation of electric utility, cable, and telecommunications lines, but shall not include assistance for operating costs. Grants awarded by the Board shall not exceed 80 percent of the overall cost of the project. The approval of the Board may be conditioned upon the repayment to the Fund of some or all of the amount of a loan or other financial benefits and such repayment may be from local taxes, fees, or other local revenues sources. The Board shall consider geographical distribution in awarding the resources of the Fund.
(d) The Fund shall be available to the Department of Housing and Community Development for the reasonable and necessary costs of administering the Fund. The amount projected to be spent on administration shall be included in the Department’s fiscal year budget presentations to the General Assembly. (Added 1997, No. 120 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2003, No. 66, § 237b; 2005, No. 6, § 64, eff. March 26, 2005; 2015, No. 58, § E.805.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 76A - Historic Downtown Development › § 2797. Property Assessment Fund; brownfields and redevelopment; competitive program

§ 2797. Property Assessment Fund; brownfields and redevelopment; competitive program
(a) There is created a Property Assessment Fund pursuant to 32 V.S.A. chapter 7, subchapter 5 to be administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development for the purpose of providing financing, on a competitive basis, to municipalities that demonstrate a financial need in order to determine and evaluate a full assessment of the extent and the cost of remediation of property, or in the case of an existing building, an assessment that supports a clear plan, including the associated costs of renovation to bring the building into compliance with State and local building codes.
(b) The Fund shall be composed of the following:
(1) State or federal funds that may be appropriated by the General Assembly.
(2) Any gifts, grants, or other contributions to the funds.
(3) Proceeds from the issuance of general obligation bonds.
(c) A municipality deemed financially eligible may apply to the fund for the assessment of property and existing buildings proposed for redevelopment, provided the Department finds that the property or building:
(1) is not likely to be renovated or improved without the preliminary assessment;
(2) when renovated or redeveloped, will integrate and be compatible with any applicable and approved regional development, capital, and municipal plans; is expected to create new property tax if developed by a taxable entity; and is expected to reduce pressure for development on open or undeveloped land in the local community or in the region.
(d) The Department shall distribute funds under this section in a manner that provides funding for assessment projects of various sizes in as many geographical areas of the State as possible and may require matching funds from the municipality in which an assessment project is conducted. (Added 2003, No. 121 (Adj. Sess.), § 49, eff. June 8, 2004.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 77 - Construction; Condemnation › § 2801. Aqueducts

§ 2801. Aqueducts
(a) The selectboard of a town may procure the right to lay and maintain aqueducts and pipes across the land of any person when the public good and necessity require a new or additional supply of water for use in a town hall or watering trough on a public highway.
(b) When the selectboard is unable to agree with the owner of such land as to the necessity for taking or the compensation to be paid therefor, it shall proceed to secure such right, and have the question of the necessity for taking and the damages sustained thereby determined as provided for taking land for a townhouse. The title to the land so secured shall be valid and vest in the town for the purposes herein named.
(c) The title to the land so secured shall be valid and vest in the town for the purposes herein named.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 77 - Construction; Condemnation › § 2802. Definitions

§ 2802. Definitions
The words “building” or “municipal building” as used in this chapter include wharves and docks and the lands surrounding or appurtenant thereto necessary for a highway or for parking or other public purposes connected therewith. (Added 1967, No. 313 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. March 22, 1968.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 77 - Construction; Condemnation › § 2804. Reserve funds; use

§ 2804. Reserve funds; use
(a) At an annual or special meeting duly warned, a municipality may establish a reserve fund to be under the control and direction of the legislative branch of the municipality. The reserve fund shall be kept in a separate account and invested as are other public funds and may be expended for such purposes for which established, or when authorized by a majority of the voters present and voting at an annual or special meeting duly warned, for other purposes.
(b) If a reserve fund is established under subsection (a) of this section to pay a school district’s future school capital construction costs approved under 16 V.S.A. chapter 123, any funds raised by the district as part of its education spending to pay for those future costs shall be considered “approved school capital construction spending” in calculating excess spending under 32 V.S.A. § 5401(12). Districts shall submit to the Agency of Education annually a report of deposits into and expenditures from a school capital construction reserve fund. If the Agency of Education determines that any amount in the reserve fund has not been used for approved school capital construction within five years after deposit into the fund, then 150 percent of that amount shall be added to the district’s education spending in the then-current year for purposes of calculating the excess spending penalty. The definitions in 16 V.S.A. chapter 133 shall apply to this subsection. (Amended 1997, No. 71 (Adj. Sess.), § 103, eff. March 11, 1998; 2005, No. 38, § 23; 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 271, eff. Feb. 14, 2014.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 77 - Construction; Condemnation › § 2805. Municipal buildings; condemnation; procedure

§ 2805. Municipal buildings; condemnation; procedure
(a) When the location of a municipal building is determined and lands and grounds are needed or when a municipality votes to purchase additional lands or when, in the exercise of any of the powers or functions authorized by its charter or bylaws, it becomes necessary for public use and benefit to take, damage, or affect lands, and the owner refuses to release or convey the same to such municipality for a reasonable price, the mayor and aldermen of such city, the selectboard of such town, or the trustees of such village or the prudential committee of such fire district shall set out the necessary lands and cause the same to be surveyed.
(b) They shall appoint a time and place for hearing and give at least ten days’ notice thereof before such hearing to the persons interested, either personally or by written notice left at the residence of the owner or occupant of such lands.
(c) At such hearing they shall determine the damages sustained by such interested persons. The damages agreed upon or assessed shall be paid or tendered to such persons before taking possession of the lands.
(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the taking, by condemnation proceedings, of property of any religious, charitable, or educational society, institution, or organization, unless held, owned, or used by it for commercial purposes, without the written consent of the trustees or governing body of such society, institution, or organization, unless two-thirds of the voters at an annual or special meeting duly warned for that purpose vote contrariwise.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 77 - Construction; Condemnation › § 2806. Condemned land; notice to mortgagee; application of payment

§ 2806. Condemned land; notice to mortgagee; application of payment
When such lands are encumbered by mortgage, such municipality shall cause the same notice to be given to the mortgagee or assignee thereof as is required to be given to the owner, and the damages agreed upon or otherwise determined, as finally ascertained, shall be paid to the mortgagee or assignee. However, if the sum due on the mortgage is less than the damages awarded, the amount due on the mortgage shall be paid to the holder and the balance to the owner. (Amended 2017, No. 74, § 103.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 77 - Construction; Condemnation › § 2807. Procedure for taking land

§ 2807. Procedure for taking land
When the mayor and aldermen, selectboard, or trustees decide to take lands, in their order for that purpose, they shall fix a time and notify the owner or occupant thereof. Within such time he or she shall remove his or her buildings, fences, timber, wood, or trees, which, in the case of enclosed or improved lands, shall not, without the consent of the owner, be less than three months nor until compensation for damages to such lands is tendered or paid. If such obstructions are not removed within such time, the mayor and aldermen, selectboard, or trustees shall remove them at the expense of the town or village. (Amended 2017, No. 74, § 104.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 77 - Construction; Condemnation › § 2808. Condemnation; record of orders and proceedings

§ 2808. Condemnation; record of orders and proceedings
Orders and proceedings of the mayor and aldermen, selectboard, and trustees, under the provisions of sections 2805-2807 of this title, with the survey of the lands taken, shall be recorded in the office of the clerk of the city, town, or village in which the land lies. (Amended 2017, No. 74, § 105.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 77 - Construction; Condemnation › § 2809. Disagreement as to damages; reference

§ 2809. Disagreement as to damages; reference
When the owner of such land does not accept the damages awarded by the mayor and aldermen, selectboard, or trustees, as the case may be, they may agree with him or her to refer the question of such damages to one or more disinterested persons, whose award shall be made in writing and shall be final.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 77 - Construction; Condemnation › § 2810. Petition; appointment of commissioners

§ 2810. Petition; appointment of commissioners
(a) When a person having an interest in such land is dissatisfied with the action of the mayor and aldermen, selectboard, or trustees in locating and setting it out or with the damages awarded therefor by them, he or she may apply by petition to the Superior Court for the county wherein such land lies within 60 days of the recording of the order of the mayor and aldermen, selectboard, or trustees, and any number of persons aggrieved may join in the petition.
(b) The petition with a citation shall be served on the clerk of the city, town, or village as a writ of summons requiring entry to be made therein within 21 days from the date of service.
(c) The court shall appoint three disinterested commissioners, who shall inquire into the necessity for locating and setting out such land and as to the amount of damages sustained by the persons interested therein. (Amended 1973, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 9, 1974.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 77 - Construction; Condemnation › § 2811. Commissioners’ notice, hearing, and report; Superior Court order

§ 2811. Commissioners’ notice, hearing, and report; Superior Court order
(a) The commissioners shall give to such clerk and to the petitioners six days’ notice of the time and place of hearing. When they have completed their inquiries, they shall report to the court.
(b) Upon hearing, the court may accept or reject the report, in whole or in part, may make such orders as are necessary for locating and setting out such land and for the removal of obstructions thereon, may render judgment for the petitioners for such damages as they have severally sustained, may tax costs for either party, and may award execution in the premises. (Amended 2017, No. 74, § 106.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 79 - Planning › § 2931. Validation of certain commissions

§ 2931. Validation of certain commissions
A regional planning commission in full compliance with sections 2919-2922 of this title on May 31, 1965 shall be a qualified regional planning commission under this chapter in all respects, except that it shall be limited to the financial aid which was in effect for it on May 31, 1965. (Added 1967, No. 188.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 79 - Planning › § 2932. Development Board; grants

§ 2932. Development Board; grants
The Development Board may with the approval of the Governor award a grant to an incorporated economic development district organized either on an intrastate or interstate basis for the purpose of matching federal funds made available by the Economic Development Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce. No grant by the Development Board to a single district shall exceed $15,000.00. (Added 1967, No. 160.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 81 - Zoning › § 3028. Penalty

§ 3028. Penalty
(a) The legislative body of a municipality may provide by ordinance for the enforcement of this chapter and of any ordinance or regulation made hereunder, and may fix penalties of not more than $50.00 for each violation. Each day in which a violation exists shall constitute a separate offense.
(b) No action may be brought under this section unless the alleged offender has had at least seven days’ notice that a violation exists. The notice shall be given by the administrative officer by hand or by certified mail with return receipt requested. The start of the seven days’ notice shall be determined by the date said return receipt was signed by or on behalf of the person deemed to be in violation.
(c) This section shall not be construed to limit or restrict the proper municipal authorities from acting under section 3024 of this title. (Added 1967, No. 283 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 14, 1968.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 83 - Building Inspectors and Regulation of Building › § 3101. Bylaws and ordinances; penalties

§ 3101. Bylaws and ordinances; penalties
(a) The mayor and board of aldermen of a city, the selectboard of a town, or the trustees of an incorporated village, may, in accordance with this chapter, establish codes and regulations for the construction, maintenance, repair, and alteration of buildings and other structures within the municipality. Such codes and regulations may include provisions relating to building materials, structural design, passageways, stairways and exits, heating systems, fire protection procedures, and such other matters as may be reasonably necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of the public, but excluding electrical installations subject to regulation under 26 V.S.A. chapter 15.
(b) Any code or regulation under subsection (a) of this section shall be adopted, amended, or repealed and enforced pursuant to the provisions of chapter 59 of this title.
(c) When any municipality adopts or amends a building code, it shall impose requirements consistent with the current rules and standards adopted by the Commissioner of Public Safety under 20 V.S.A. chapter 173, subchapter 2.
(d) Upon the adoption or amendment of any code or regulation, at least one copy shall be filed in the office of the building inspector, and the office of the municipal clerk.
(e) The General Assembly may incorporate amendments to the code into the ordinance of all municipalities which have adopted the code, or designate allowable exceptions to the code.
(f) On or before January 1, 1984, each municipality which has in effect a building code which is not consistent with the rules and standards adopted by the Commissioner of Labor, shall substitute for such code a code which is consistent. (Amended 1967, No. 295 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 20, 1968; 1969, No. 284 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. date, see note set out below; 1973, No. 196 (Adj. Sess.),§§ 1, 2, eff. April 2, 1974; 1981, No. 121 (Adj. Sess.), § 6, eff. March 3, 1982; 2003, No. 141 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. April 1, 2005; 2005, No. 103 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 5, 2006.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 83 - Building Inspectors and Regulation of Building › § 3102. Building inspectors

§ 3102. Building inspectors
(a) Upon the adoption of any codes, rules, or regulations as provided in section 3101 of this title, the mayor and board of aldermen of a city, the selectboard of a town, or the trustees of an incorporated village shall appoint and may remove a building inspector, and may appoint and may remove a deputy building inspector, prescribe their duties, and fix their compensation.
(b) The building inspector and any deputy building inspector shall be a disinterested and competent person with experience in the construction of various types of buildings. (Amended 1967, No. 295 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. March 20, 1968; 2017, No. 74, § 107.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 83 - Building Inspectors and Regulation of Building › § 3103. Appointment; duties; powers

§ 3103. Appointment; duties; powers
Any such ordinance may be amended or supplemented following the procedure for adoption in section 3101 of this title. At least three copies of any ordinance, as amended or supplemented, shall be filed, as provided in section 3101 of this title, in the office of the building inspector and three copies filed in the office of the municipal clerk for use by the public. (Amended 1967, No. 295 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. March 20, 1968.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 83 - Building Inspectors and Regulation of Building › § 3104. Examination by public

§ 3104. Examination by public
At least 30 days before the adoption of any such ordinance or any amendment or supplement thereto, at least three copies of the code or regulation referred to in section 3101 of this title shall be filed in the office of the building inspector and three copies in the office of the municipal clerk for use by the public. (Added 1967, No. 295 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. March 20, 1968.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 83 - Building Inspectors and Regulation of Building › § 3105. Public hearing; notice

§ 3105. Public hearing; notice
(a) No such ordinance or amendments or supplements may become effective or be altered until after a public hearing at which interested parties and citizens may be heard.
(b) Notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality at least 15 days before the holding of the hearing. (Added 1967, No. 295 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. March 20, 1968.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 83 - Building Inspectors and Regulation of Building › § 3106. Report; prosecutions; injunctions

§ 3106. Report; prosecutions; injunctions
A building inspector shall:
(1) make a detailed report of his or her doings to the board of aldermen, selectboard, or trustees, as the case may be, at least once in six months, showing the number of certificates of permit granted, the number refused, and such other information as may be of importance relating to the discharge of his or her duties; and
(2) inquire into and report to the municipal attorney or other designee of the legislative body of the municipality for prosecution, all violations of this chapter, and may apply, as building inspector, to a Superior judge for an injunction or other legal or equitable remedy in aid of his or her powers as he or she may be advised. (Amended 2017, No. 93 (Adj. Sess.), § 23.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 83 - Building Inspectors and Regulation of Building › § 3107. Certificate of permit; filing

§ 3107. Certificate of permit; filing
(a) Before the construction or alteration of a building, the owner, builder, or architect shall submit to the building inspector a comprehensive statement in writing of the material to be used and the mode of construction of the proposed building or alteration, with plans and specifications, if there are any. Work thereon shall not be begun until the owner has received from the inspector a certificate of permission specifying the material of which the outer walls and other covering of the roof of such building are to be composed, the street upon which, and the distance therefrom at which such building is to be placed. A copy of such certificate shall be filed in the office of the inspector under the date of its issue.
(b) Such certificate shall not be granted until the inspector is satisfied that such structure when completed will be properly built, and insofar as practicable of a fireproof construction; provided, however, that in those municipalities that have adopted the provisions of chapter 81 of this title, relating to municipal zoning, the building inspector, before issuing said building certificate, shall be satisfied that by the issuance of such certificate the zoning ordinance of said municipality will not be violated.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 83 - Building Inspectors and Regulation of Building › § 3108. Inspector’s duties

§ 3108. Inspector’s duties
The inspector shall daily examine the condition of buildings undergoing alteration or erection and serve notice in writing upon the builders, owners, or architects of such structures as he or she deems to be unsafe or insecure by reason of the mode and manner of construction or materials used in the construction thereof. He or she shall order such changes in the mode or manner of construction and the materials used as he or she deems necessary for the public safety and may order work to cease.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 83 - Building Inspectors and Regulation of Building › § 3109. Appeals from orders

§ 3109. Appeals from orders
When a person is aggrieved by an order of a building inspector, that person or the person’s architect or builder may appeal to a board of arbitrators appointed as provided in section 3110 of this title, or to the Criminal Division of the Superior Court, at his or her election. The board of arbitrators or the court shall have the power to annul, amend, modify, or affirm the order of the building inspector. The appeal shall be taken within five days after the receipt of the inspector’s notice and order by the aggrieved party or his or her architect or builder. In case of an election to appeal to a board of arbitrators, it shall be deemed perfected by a written notice of appeal left with the building inspector personally, or at his or her office. In case of an election to appeal to the Criminal Division of the Superior Court, the appeal shall be deemed perfected by the filing with the court of a complaint. The taking of the appeal shall operate as a stay. (Amended 1965, No. 194, § 10, operative Feb. 1, 1967; 1971, No. 185 (Adj. Sess.), § 200, eff. March 29, 1972; 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 238; 2015, No. 97 (Adj. Sess.), § 57.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 83 - Building Inspectors and Regulation of Building › § 3110. Arbitrators; decision

§ 3110. Arbitrators; decision
The board of arbitrators shall be composed of two disinterested persons, residents of the municipality, one of whom shall be appointed by the appellant and one by the building inspector. If such arbitrators cannot agree, a third member shall be chosen by them. On failure to agree as to such third member, he or she shall be appointed by a Superior judge. A decision of a majority of the board of arbitrators thus composed, when reduced to writing, sworn to, and filed in the inspector’s office, shall be final and conclusive upon the parties. Upon the filing of such decision, work may be immediately resumed in accordance therewith. The expense of such arbitration shall be paid by the appellant. (Amended 1965, No. 194, § 10, operative Feb. 1, 1967.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 83 - Building Inspectors and Regulation of Building › § 3111. Appeal; hearing; orders

§ 3111. Appeal; hearing; orders
When an appeal is taken under the provisions of section 3109 of this title, the judge shall forthwith inquire into the facts himself or herself or by a committee appointed by him or her, and make such order as he or she deems proper in the premises. In his or her discretion, he or she may tax costs in favor of the prevailing party and issue execution therefor. Upon the entry of judgment, work may be immediately resumed in accordance therewith.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 83 - Building Inspectors and Regulation of Building › § 3112. Penalty

§ 3112. Penalty
A person who violates a provision of this chapter or willfully disobeys a written order of a building inspector shall be fined not more than $200.00, provided such order has not been set aside or modified by a court or by a board of arbitrators, or by an order or decree of either such court or board of arbitrators made on appeal thereto.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 83 - Building Inspectors and Regulation of Building › § 3113. Unsafe building; notice

§ 3113. Unsafe building; notice
A building inspector being informed that a structure or anything appurtenant thereto is unsafe shall inspect the same. If it appears to be unsafe, he or she shall forthwith notify, in writing, the owner, agent, or person having an interest therein to remove it or make it safe and secure. If it appears that such structure would be especially unsafe in case of fire, it shall be deemed dangerous and the inspector may affix in a conspicuous place upon its exterior walls a notice of its dangerous condition, which shall not be removed or defaced without authority from him or her.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 83 - Building Inspectors and Regulation of Building › § 3114. Repair of unsafe structure

§ 3114. Repair of unsafe structure
Before 12:00 p.m. of the day following the service of such notice, a person notified as provided in section 3113 of this title shall commence to secure or remove such structure, and shall employ sufficient workers speedily to secure or remove it. If the public safety so requires, and if the mayor and aldermen, selectboard, or trustees, as the case may be, so order, the inspector shall immediately enter upon the premises with the necessary workers and cause such structure to be shored up, taken down, or otherwise secured without delay. Such inspector shall cause a proper fence or boarding put up for the protection of passers-by at the expense of the owner in the manner provided in section 3116 of this title, and such expense may be recovered in a civil action on this statute.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 83 - Building Inspectors and Regulation of Building › § 3115. Refusal to obey order; survey; report

§ 3115. Refusal to obey order; survey; report
When an owner, agent, or person interested in such unsafe structure refuses or neglects to comply with the requirements of such order within the time limited, a careful survey of the premises shall be made by a board consisting, in a city, of the city engineer, the chief engineer of the fire department, and one disinterested person to be appointed by the inspector, and, in a town or incorporated village, by a board consisting of a surveyor, the chief engineer of the fire department, and one disinterested person to be appointed by the inspector. When there is not a city engineer or chief engineer of the fire department, the mayor and board of aldermen, or the proper officers in such town or village, as the case may be, shall designate one or more officers or other suitable persons in place of the officers so named, as members of the board. A report of such survey shall be made in writing and a copy thereof served on such owner, agent, or other person interested.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 83 - Building Inspectors and Regulation of Building › § 3116. Building taken down; penalty

§ 3116. Building taken down; penalty
When such report declares such structure to be unsafe, and when the owner, agent, or person interested continues such refusal or neglect, the inspector shall cause it to be taken down or otherwise made safe. The costs and charges incurred shall constitute a lien upon the land upon which such building is situated, and shall be enforced within the time and in the manner provided for the collection of taxes on land. For every day’s continuance of such refusal or neglect, the owner or person interested shall forfeit to the city, town, or incorporated village in which such structure is situated not more than $50.00 nor less than $10.00, to be recovered in a civil action on this statute.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 83 - Building Inspectors and Regulation of Building › § 3117. Appeal from order

§ 3117. Appeal from order
An owner or person interested who is aggrieved by such order may appeal as provided in the case of a person aggrieved by an order of a building inspector. However, the provisions of this section shall not prevent the municipality from recovering the forfeiture provided in section 3116 of this title from the date of the service of the original notice, unless the order is annulled by the board of arbitration or a Superior Court judge, as the case may be. (Amended 1965, No. 194, § 10, operative Feb. 1, 1967; 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 183.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 83 - Building Inspectors and Regulation of Building › § 3119. Powers of judge

§ 3119. Powers of judge
The presiding judge of the Superior Court may restrain the construction, alteration, maintenance, or use of a building or structure in violation of the provisions of an ordinance or bylaws of a municipality, and order its removal or abatement as a nuisance. Such judge may restrain the further construction, alteration, or repair of a building or structure reported to be unsafe under a survey authorized by section 3115 of this title, until the matter is determined as provided in section 3117 of this title. (Amended 1971, No. 185 (Adj. Sess.), § 236; 1973, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 3.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 83 - Building Inspectors and Regulation of Building › § 3120. Severability

§ 3120. Severability
If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstances is invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected. (Added 1967, No. 295 (Adj. Sess.), § 6, eff. March 20, 1968.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 85 - Urban Renewal › § 3203. Findings and declarations of necessity

§ 3203. Findings and declarations of necessity
(a) It is hereby found and declared that there exist in municipalities of the State slum and blighted areas, as herein defined, which constitute a serious and growing menace, injurious to the public health, safety, morals, and welfare of the residents of the State; that the existence of such areas contributes substantially and increasingly to the spread of disease and crime, constitutes an economic and social liability imposing onerous municipal burdens which decrease the tax base and reduce tax revenues, substantially impairs or arrests the sound growth of municipalities, retards the provision of housing accommodations, aggravates traffic problems and substantially impairs or arrests the elimination of traffic hazards and the improvement of traffic facilities; and that the prevention and elimination of slums and blight is a matter of State policy and State concern in order that the State and its municipalities shall not continue to be endangered by areas which are focal centers of disease, promote juvenile delinquency, and consume an excessive proportion of its revenues because of the extra services required for police, fire, accident, hospitalization, and other forms of public protection, services, and facilities.
(b) It is further found and declared that certain slum or blighted areas, or portions thereof, may require acquisition, clearance, and disposition subject to use restrictions, as provided in this chapter, since the prevailing condition of decay may make impracticable the reclamation of the area by conservation or rehabilitation; that other areas or portions thereof may, through the means provided in this chapter, be susceptible of conservation or rehabilitation in such a manner that the conditions and evils hereinbefore enumerated may be eliminated, remedied, or prevented; and that salvable slum and blighted areas can be conserved and rehabilitated through appropriate public action as herein authorized, and the cooperation and voluntary action of the owners and tenants of property in such areas.
(c) It is further found and declared that the powers conferred by this chapter are for public uses and purposes for which public money may be expended and the power of eminent domain and police power exercised; and that the necessity in the public interest for the provisions herein enacted is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 85 - Urban Renewal › § 3204. Encouragement of private enterprise

§ 3204. Encouragement of private enterprise
A municipality, to the greatest extent it determines to be feasible in carrying out the provisions of this chapter, shall afford maximum opportunity, consistent with the sound needs of the municipality as a whole, to the rehabilitation or redevelopment of the urban renewal area by private enterprise. A municipality shall give consideration to this objective in exercising its powers under this chapter, including the formulation of a workable program, the approval of urban renewal plans and community-wide plans or programs for urban renewal and general neighborhood renewal plans consistent with the general plan of the municipality, the exercise of its zoning powers, the enforcement of other laws, codes, and regulations relating to the use of land and the use and occupancy of buildings and improvements, the disposition of any property acquired, and the provision of necessary public improvements. (Amended 1966, No. 69 (Sp. Sess.), § 3, eff. March 14, 1966.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 85 - Urban Renewal › § 3205. Workable program

§ 3205. Workable program
A municipality for the purposes of this chapter may formulate for the municipality a workable program for utilizing appropriate private and public resources to eliminate and prevent the development or spread of slums and urban blight, to encourage needed urban rehabilitation, to provide for the redevelopment of slum and blighted areas, or to undertake such of the aforesaid activities or other feasible municipal activities as may be suitably employed to achieve the objectives of such workable program. Such workable program may include provision for: the prevention of the spread of blight into areas of the municipality which are free from blight through diligent enforcement of housing, zoning, and occupancy controls and standards; the rehabilitation or conservation of slum and blighted areas or portions thereof by re-planning, removing congestion, providing parks, playgrounds, and other public improvements, by encouraging voluntary rehabilitation and by compelling the repair and rehabilitation of deteriorated or deteriorating structures; and the clearance and redevelopment of slum and blighted areas or portions thereof.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 85 - Urban Renewal › § 3206. Finding of necessity by local governing body

§ 3206. Finding of necessity by local governing body
No municipality shall exercise the authority hereafter conferred upon municipalities by this chapter until after it has voted by a majority of the voters present and voting on the question at a regular or special meeting duly warned for such purpose to adopt a resolution finding that: (1) one or more slum or blighted areas exist in such municipality; and (2) the rehabilitation, conservation, redevelopment, or a combination thereof, of such area or areas is necessary in the interest of the public health, safety, morals, or welfare of the residents of such municipality.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 85 - Urban Renewal › § 3208. Neighborhood and community-wide plans

§ 3208. Neighborhood and community-wide plans
(a) A municipality or a planning commission may prepare a general neighborhood renewal plan for an urban renewal area, together with any adjoining areas having specially related problems, which may be of such scope that urban renewal activities may have to be carried out in stages. The plan may include a preliminary plan which:
(1) outlines the urban renewal activities, proposed for the areas involved;
(2) provides a framework for the preparation of urban renewal plans; and
(3) indicates generally the land uses, population density, building coverage, prospective requirements for rehabilitation, and improvement of property and portions of the area contemplated for clearance and redevelopment.
A general neighborhood renewal plan shall, in the determination of the local governing body, conform to the general plan of the locality as a whole and the workable program of the municipality.
(b) A municipality or planning commission may prepare or complete a community-wide plan or program for urban renewal which shall conform to the general plan for the development of the municipality as a whole and may include identification of slum or blighted areas, measurement of blight, determination of resources needed and available to renew those areas, identification of potential project areas and types of action contemplated, and scheduling of urban renewal activities. (Added 1966, No. 69 (Sp. Sess.), § 5, eff. March 14, 1966.)