reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 55 - Police › § 1931. Police officers

§ 1931. Police officers
(a) The legislative body, and in its stead, the town manager, when appointed pursuant to chapter 37 of this title, of a municipality as defined in section 2001 of this title may establish a police department and appoint police officers and a chief of police who shall be a police officer. Such legislative body or town manager may temporarily appoint qualified persons as additional police officers when necessary, or appoint qualified persons as temporary police officers in the event no police department is established, shall specify the term and duties of such officers, and may fix their compensation, which may be paid by the municipality. They shall be sworn and shall hold office during good behavior, unless sooner removed for cause, or in the case of temporary police officers, for the term specified. Such appointment, oath, and removal shall be in writing and recorded in the office of the clerk of the municipality.
(b) The direction and control of the entire police force, except as otherwise provided, shall be vested in the chief of police. If the chief of police is absent or disabled, or if the office of chief of police is vacant, the appointing authority may appoint another officer to discharge the duties of the chief of police.
(c) The legislative body or town manager shall report the creation of a new police department or the elimination of an existing police department to the Vermont Criminal Justice Council within five working days of the creation or elimination. The report shall include the effective date of creation or elimination, the mailing address for the police department, and the name of the appointed police chief. (Amended 1969, No. 282 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 1971, No. 194 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2009, No. 14, § 2.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 55 - Police › § 1932. Negligence of officer; suspension; hearing

§ 1932. Negligence of officer; suspension; hearing
(a) Whenever it appears to the appointing authority by its own knowledge or when informed by a written petition signed by one or more responsible persons that any regular officer has become negligent or derelict in the officer’s official duty, or is guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer, the appointing authority shall set a date for a hearing before the legislative body upon the complaint, and shall give at least seven and not more than 15 days, written notice to the accused officer stating particularly the complainant, the charges against the officer, and the time and place of hearing. The legislative body may suspend such officer from duty pending a hearing.
(b) The officer is entitled to be represented by counsel, to answer the complaint, and to be heard on the charges. He or she may waive in writing his or her right to a hearing.
(c) The officer may file with the Criminal Division of the Superior Court having territorial jurisdiction of such municipality and with the legislative body, at least 24 hours before the time set for said hearing, a notice of election to have the cause heard before said court. If such notice is duly filed, the Criminal Division of the Superior Court shall set the matter for hearing within ten days from the filing of said notice and shall give at least five days’ written notice to the legislative body and the officer of the time and place of hearing. The court shall determine the facts and certify its findings, which shall be final, to the legislative body.
(d) If the legislative body or the Criminal Division of the Superior Court, as the case may be, finds after considering all the evidence offered in such hearing, that the officer is guilty of the charges as offered, the legislative body shall have the power by majority vote to remove the officer or to suspend him or her without pay for a period of time not to exceed 60 days.
(e) Any officer found not guilty of the charges offered against him or her by either the Criminal Division of the Superior Court or the legislative body shall have restored to the officer pay lost through suspension. (Amended 1963, No. 158; 1965, No. 194, § 10, eff. July 1, 1965, operative Feb. 1, 1967; 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 238.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 55 - Police › § 1933. Policy

§ 1933. Policy
The provisions of sections 1931-1934 of this title affecting the tenure of such regular police officers and their removal from office shall apply to the chief of police. Such sections shall not apply to any police officer until he or she shall have served continuously for one year. Such sections shall not prevent a legislative body, or the town manager, from reducing the number of regular officers for reasons of economic necessity.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 55 - Police › § 1935. Powers

§ 1935. Powers
Police officers who are employed by a police department established under this chapter or pursuant to charter shall have the same powers as sheriffs in criminal matters and the enforcement of the law and the same powers, immunities, and matters of defense in serving criminal and civil process. The powers granted to police officers under this section may be exercised statewide. (Amended 1971, No. 194 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. July 1, 1972; 1973, No. 114; 1987, No. 122 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. Jan. 26, 1988; 2013, No. 49, § 7.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 55 - Police › § 1936. Special police officers; qualifications

§ 1936. Special police officers; qualifications
(a) If the legislative body of a municipality does not establish a police department or appoint a chief of police, temporary police officers appointed pursuant to subsection 1931(a) of this title shall serve under the direction of the legislative body.
(b) Persons appointed as law enforcement officers under the provisions of this chapter, before exercising any law enforcement authority, shall complete a course of training under 20 V.S.A. chapter 151. (Amended 1971, No. 194 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. July 1, 1972; 1979, No. 57, § 10; 2003, No. 122 (Adj. Sess.), § 85c.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 55 - Police › § 1936a. Constables; powers and qualifications

§ 1936a. Constables; powers and qualifications
(a) A town may vote at a special or annual town meeting to prohibit constables from exercising any law enforcement authority.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, constables may perform the following duties:
(1) the service of civil or criminal process, under 12 V.S.A. § 691;
(2) destruction of animals, in accordance with the provisions of 20 V.S.A. chapter 193;
(3) the killing of injured deer, under 10 V.S.A. § 4749;
(4) provision of assistance to the health officer in the discharge of the health officer’s duties, under 18 V.S.A. § 617;
(5) service as a Criminal Division of the Superior Court officer, under section 296 of this title;
(6) removal of disorderly people from town meeting, under 17 V.S.A. § 2659; and
(7) collection of taxes, when no tax collector is elected, as provided under section 1529 of this title.
(c) A constable who is not prohibited from exercising law enforcement authority under subsection (a) of this section may transport a person arrested by the constable for a violation of 23 V.S.A. § 1201 (DUI) to a police department outside the town for the purpose of DUI processing and may complete the processing if he or she has been certified by the Vermont Criminal Justice Council to do so.
(d) A municipal legislative body may vote to allow a constable elected or appointed in another municipality to exercise law enforcement authority in its municipality, provided that:
(1) the constable is not prohibited from exercising law enforcement authority under subsection (a) of this section;
(2) the constable is certified to exercise that level of authority under 20 V.S.A. § 2358; and
(3) the exercise of law enforcement authority is conducted in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by the legislative body establishing the circumstances under which the authority may be exercised. (Added 1991, No. 177 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; amended 1997, No. 57, § 8, eff. June 26, 1997; 1999, No. 160 (Adj. Sess.), § 27; 2007, No. 195 (Adj. Sess.), § 9, eff. July 1, 2010; 2009, No. 108 (Adj. Sess.), § 11; 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 238; 2013, No. 141 (Adj. Sess.), § 19, eff. July 1, 2015.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 55 - Police › § 1937. Reciprocal assistance agreements

§ 1937. Reciprocal assistance agreements
(a) A reciprocal assistance agreement may be entered into between:
(1) the chief law enforcement officer of a municipality in a county of this State adjacent to a neighboring state, or the sheriff of such a county; and
(2) the chief law enforcement officer of a municipality in an adjacent county of the neighboring state, or the sheriff of such a county.
(b) The authority of a duly authorized and certified municipal law enforcement officer, sheriff, or deputy sheriff in a neighboring state shall extend to a municipality or county in this State if:
(1) reciprocal statutory authority has been granted by the neighboring state to the law enforcement officers, sheriffs, or deputy sheriffs of this State;
(2) a reciprocal assistance agreement under subsection (a) of this section has been executed which sets forth the terms and conditions under which assistance may be requested or rendered;
(3) the agreement is in writing; and
(4) in the case of an agreement by a municipality in this State, the agreement of the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality is approved by its legislative body.
(c) The reciprocal assistance agreement shall constitute authorization for every request for assistance, and for any assistance rendered, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the written agreement, regardless of whether the officer, sheriff, or deputy sheriff is named in the agreement.
(d) In either emergency or nonemergency circumstances, the ranking on-duty law enforcement officer, sheriff, or deputy sheriff may make an oral request for assistance to the ranking on-duty law enforcement officer, sheriff, or deputy sheriff in the responding jurisdiction, subject to the terms and conditions of the reciprocal assistance agreement. The agreement shall state the authority of the responding police officer in such circumstances.
(e) A reciprocal assistance agreement shall remain in full force and effect until terminated by mutual consent of the parties to the agreement, or until ten days after one of the parties has received notification from the other party of intention to terminate the agreement. (Added 1989, No. 92.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 55 - Police › § 1938. Intermunicipal police services; purpose; agreements

§ 1938. Intermunicipal police services; purpose; agreements
(a) Cities, towns, incorporated villages, the University of Vermont, sheriffs, and State agencies may enter into agreements to provide for intermunicipal police services. Intermunicipal police services include general police services, emergency planning and assistance, task forces, and other specialized investigative units to provide police services within the boundaries of the participating municipalities and counties.
(b) The legislative body of each municipality may authorize the chief of police or other designee to provide police resources for intermunicipal police services. The participating municipalities, sheriffs, and State agencies shall enter into a written agreement, which shall provide for the scope of the mutual services, the powers, duties, and responsibilities of each participant, and the governing authority for officers called for duty under the terms of the agreement. The agreement shall also contain provisions relating to the use of equipment, supplies, and materials during the period of mutual service. Any employee covered by such an agreement shall remain an employee of the donor agency.
(c) Agreements entered into under this section shall not be subject to the requirement of chapter 121 of this title.
(d) Cities, towns, incorporated villages, the University of Vermont, sheriffs, and State agencies may enter into agreements under this section with municipalities in the same or adjoining counties and with municipalities in adjoining states. (Added 1993, No. 42, § 1; amended 2003, No. 121 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 82, 83, eff. June 8, 2004; 2003, No. 122 (Adj. Sess.), § 85d.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 57 - Fire Departments › § 1951. Creation of department

§ 1951. Creation of department
A town, city, or incorporated village shall have power to create, maintain, and operate a fire department as a department of the municipality, and for this purpose to purchase, acquire, hold, lease, or sell real property, equipment, and apparatus, and to appoint officers, firemen, and employees of the department. (Added 1969, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. March 2, 1970.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 57 - Fire Departments › § 1952. Eminent domain

§ 1952. Eminent domain
A town, city, or incorporated village may acquire real property for purposes of a fire house or fire station by exercise of the right of eminent domain in the manner and according to the procedure provided in sections 2805-2812 of this title for acquisition of land for a municipal building. (Added 1969, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. March 2, 1970.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 57 - Fire Departments › § 1953. Officers

§ 1953. Officers
The officers of a fire department shall consist of a chief engineer, an assistant chief engineer, and fire captains in such number as the legislative body of the municipality shall determine. The duties and powers of the chief engineer shall be the same as those of the chief engineer of a fire district under 20 V.S.A. §§ 2671-2675. The legislative body may appoint and remove such officers, and fix their salaries or other compensation, subject to such rules and regulations as the legislative body may adopt. (Added 1969, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. March 2, 1970.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 57 - Fire Departments › § 1954. Firemen

§ 1954. Firemen
Firemen shall be appointed by the chief engineer, subject to such rules or regulations as the legislative body may adopt, and may be salaried employees or volunteers. A fireman may be dismissed or suspended by the chief engineer on written notice, but shall be entitled to a hearing on such dismissal or suspension before the legislative body of the municipality if a written request for a hearing is submitted to the legislative body by the fireman dismissed or suspended within five days after receipt of notice thereof. The legislative body may revoke such dismissal or suspension, and may order reinstatement of a fireman suspended or dismissed. (Added 1969, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. March 2, 1970.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 57 - Fire Departments › § 1955. Expenditures

§ 1955. Expenditures
All expenditures for the creation, operation, and maintenance of a fire department under this chapter shall be paid from the general fund of the municipality unless other means are provided by the legislative body or the qualified voters. (Added 1969, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. March 2, 1970.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 57 - Fire Departments › § 1956. Personnel rules

§ 1956. Personnel rules
The officers, firemen, and employees of a fire department organized under this chapter may be governed by rules adopted by the legislative body of the municipality under subchapter 11 of chapter 33 of this title. (Added 1969, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. March 2, 1970.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 57 - Fire Departments › § 1957. Contracts with federal government

§ 1957. Contracts with federal government
A town, city, or incorporated village, by act of its legislative body, may contract with the U.S. government or any of its departments or agencies for the purpose of providing fire protection to federal property located within its limits. These contracts for fire protection may include all firefighting costs which are ordinarily associated with firefighting functions of a fire department. (Added 1977, No. 218 (Adj. Sess.), § 8.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 58 - Community Justice Centers › § 1961. Legislative findings

§ 1961. Legislative findings
A system of community justice centers that operates under the authority of a single statute will:
(1) help each community justice center collaborate more closely with law enforcement and State’s Attorneys, State agencies, social service providers, victim advocacy organizations, and other community resources;
(2) enhance the services each community justice center provides; and
(3) help each community justice center further its policy interest of achieving restorative justice. (Added 2007, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 58 - Community Justice Centers › § 1962. Definitions

§ 1962. Definitions
As used in this chapter:
(1) “Legislative body” means the mayor and board of aldermen of a city, a city council, a town selectboard, the president and trustees of an incorporated village, or the legislative bodies of a group of municipalities.
(2) “Municipality” means a city, town, incorporated village, or group of municipalities. (Added 2007, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 58 - Community Justice Centers › § 1963. Authority of municipalities

§ 1963. Authority of municipalities
The legislative body of any municipality may create within its jurisdiction a community justice center to resolve civil disputes and address the wrongdoings of individuals who have committed municipal, juvenile, or criminal offenses. A municipality may designate an organization to act as its community justice center. (Added 2007, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 58 - Community Justice Centers › § 1964. Structure of the community justice boards; confidentiality of certain restorative justice meetings

§ 1964. Structure of the community justice boards; confidentiality of certain restorative justice meetings
(a) Each community justice center:
(1) shall have an advisory board comprising at least 51 percent citizen volunteers;
(2) may use a variety of community-based restorative justice approaches, including restorative justice panels, group conferencing, or mediation; and
(3) shall include programs to resolve disputes, address the needs of victims, address the wrongdoing of the offender, and promote the rehabilitation of youthful and adult offenders.
(b) Meetings of restorative justice panels and meetings to conduct restorative justice group conferencing or mediation shall not be subject to the Vermont Open Meeting Law, 1 V.S.A. chapter 5, subchapter 2. (Added 2007, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2013, No. 143 (Adj. Sess.), § 5.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 58 - Community Justice Centers › § 1965. Duties of the community justice centers

§ 1965. Duties of the community justice centers
Each community justice center:
(1) shall work in close coordination with State agencies, law enforcement agencies, State’s Attorneys, social service providers, victim advocacy organizations, and other community resources in administering the programs defined in subdivision 1964(a)(3) of this title;
(2) shall, in collaboration with State and local agencies, provide training on the restorative justice process to citizen volunteers to enable their participation in the local community justice center;
(3) may address quality of life issues in the community it serves by providing informational and educational resources to the community; and
(4) may apply for funding from private foundations, other governmental sources, or other sources. (Added 2007, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2017, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 157.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 58 - Community Justice Centers › § 1966. Community justice centers’ relationship with state government entities

§ 1966. Community justice centers’ relationship with state government entities
(a) Support from the Agency of Human Services. The Agency of Human Services shall provide to the community justice centers the information, analysis, and technical support that the community justice centers, in collaboration with the Agency of Human Services, determine are necessary to further their policy of restorative justice.
(b) Support from the Office of the Attorney General. The Community Justice Unit of the Office of the Attorney General shall provide to the community justice centers support for domestic violence and sexual violence case referrals in accordance with section 1968 of this title.
(c) Funding from the Agency of Human Services. The Agency of Human Services may provide funding and authorize community justice centers to participate in the implementation of State programs related to juvenile and criminal offenses.
(d) Access to information. Community justice center employees and volunteers participating in State-funded programs shall have access to information, analysis, and technical support as necessary to carry out their duties within the program in accordance with State and federal confidentiality statutes and policies. Victim information that is not part of the public record shall not be released without the victim’s consent.
(e) Liability.
(1) For the purposes of defining liability, community justice center volunteers participating in programs funded by the Agency of Human Services pursuant to subsection (c) of this section shall be considered volunteers of that agency.
(2) In all other cases, the State and the municipality shall each be liable for the acts and omissions of employees operating within the scope of their employment. (Added 2007, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2015, No. 97 (Adj. Sess.), § 56; 2023, No. 11, § 1, eff. May 8, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 58 - Community Justice Centers › § 1967. Cases prohibited

§ 1967. Cases prohibited
No case involving domestic violence, sexual violence, sexual assault, or stalking shall be referred to a community justice center except through Department of Corrections offender reentry programs pursuant to protocols protecting victims, or as provided in section 1968 of this title. The community justice centers shall work with the Department of Corrections and the Center for Crime Victim Services or its designee to develop victim safety protocols for community justice centers that take into consideration victim needs such as safety, confidentiality, and privacy. (Added 2007, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2023, No. 11, § 2, eff. May 8, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 58 - Community Justice Centers › § 1969. Public records act exemption

§ 1969. Public records act exemption
(a) Any records or information produced or acquired pursuant to this chapter shall be kept confidential and shall be exempt from public inspection or copying under Vermont’s Public Records Act.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a community justice center may disclose information to colleges, universities, public agencies of the State, and nonprofit research organizations that a community justice center has agreements with for use in connection with research projects of a public service nature, but no person associated with those institutions or agencies may disclose that information in any manner that would reveal the identity of an individual who provided the information to the community justice center. (Added 2023, No. 11, § 3, eff. May 8, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 59 - Adoption and Enforcement of Ordinances and Rules › § 1971. Authority to adopt

§ 1971. Authority to adopt
(a) A municipality may adopt, amend, repeal, and enforce ordinances or rules for any purposes authorized by law.
(b) An ordinance or rule adopted or amended by a municipality under this chapter or under its municipal charter authority shall be designated as either criminal or civil, but not both. (Added 1969, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. March 2, 1970; amended 1971, No. 14, § 10, eff. March 11, 1971; 1993, No. 237 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1994.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 59 - Adoption and Enforcement of Ordinances and Rules › § 1972. Procedure

§ 1972. Procedure
(a)(1) The legislative body of a municipality desiring to adopt an ordinance or rule may adopt it subject to the petition set forth in section 1973 of this title and shall cause it to be entered in the minutes of the municipality and posted in at least five conspicuous places within the municipality. The legislative body shall arrange for one formal publication of the ordinance or rule or a concise summary thereof in a newspaper circulating in the municipality on a day not more than 14 days following the date when the proposed provision is so adopted. Information included in the publication shall be the name of the municipality; the name of the municipality’s website, if the municipality actively updates its website on a regular basis; the title or subject of the ordinance or rule; the name, telephone number, and mailing address of a municipal official designated to answer questions and receive comments on the proposal; and where the full text may be examined. The same notice shall explain citizens’ rights to petition for a vote on the ordinance or rule at an annual or special meeting as provided in section 1973 of this title.
(2) Unless a petition is filed in accordance with section 1973 of this title, the ordinance or rule shall become effective 60 days after the date of its adoption, or at such time following the expiration of 60 days from the date of its adoption as is determined by the legislative body. If a petition is filed in accordance with section 1973 of this title, the taking effect of the ordinance or rule shall be governed by subsection 1973(e) of this title.
(b) All ordinances and rules adopted by a municipality shall be recorded in the records of the municipality.
(c) The procedure herein provided shall apply to the adoption of any ordinance or rule by a municipality unless another procedure is provided by charter, special law, or particular statute. (Added 1969, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. March 2, 1970; amended 1971, No. 14, § 11, eff. March 11, 1971; 1979, No. 180 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 5, 1980; 2011, No. 155 (Adj. Sess.), § 7.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 59 - Adoption and Enforcement of Ordinances and Rules › § 1973. Permissive referendum

§ 1973. Permissive referendum
(a) An ordinance or rule adopted by a municipality may be disapproved by a vote of a majority of the qualified voters of the municipality voting on the question at an annual or special meeting duly warned for the purpose, pursuant to a petition signed and submitted in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.
(b) A petition for a vote on the question of disapproving an ordinance or rule shall be signed by not less than five per cent of the qualified voters of the municipality, and presented to the legislative body or the clerk of the municipality within 44 days following the date of adoption of the ordinance or rule by the legislative body.
(c) When a petition is submitted in accordance with subsection (b) of this section, the legislative body shall call a special meeting within 60 days from the date of receipt of the petition, or include an article in the warning for the next annual meeting of the municipality if the annual meeting falls within the 60-day period, to determine whether the voters will disapprove the ordinance or rule.
(d) Not less than two copies of the ordinance or rule shall be posted at each polling place during the hours of voting, and copies thereof made available to voters at the polls on request. It shall be sufficient to refer to the ordinance or rule in the warning by title.
(e) If a petition for an annual or a special meeting is duly submitted in accordance with this section, to determine whether an ordinance or rule shall be disapproved by the voters of the municipality, the ordinance or rule shall take effect on the conclusion of the meeting, or at such later date as is specified in the ordinance or rule, unless a majority of the qualified voters voting on the question at the meeting vote to disapprove the ordinance or rule in which event it shall not take effect. (Added 1969, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. March 2, 1970; amended 1971, No. 14, § 12, eff. March 11, 1971.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 59 - Adoption and Enforcement of Ordinances and Rules › § 1974. Enforcement of criminal ordinances

§ 1974. Enforcement of criminal ordinances
(a)(1) The violation of a criminal ordinance or rule adopted by a municipality under this chapter shall be a misdemeanor.
(2) The criminal ordinance or rule may provide for a fine or imprisonment, but no fine shall exceed $800.00, nor may any term of imprisonment exceed one year.
(3) Each day the violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
(b) The presiding judge of the Superior Court, on application of the legislative body of a municipality, shall have jurisdiction to enjoin the violation of an ordinance or rule but the election of a municipality to proceed under this subsection shall not prevent prosecutions under subsection (a) of this section.
(c) Prosecutions of criminal ordinances shall be brought before the Superior Court pursuant to 4 V.S.A. § 32.
(d) Prosecutions of criminal ordinances may be brought on behalf of the municipality by the municipal attorney or other person designated by the legislative body of the municipality. (Added 1969, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. March 2, 1970; amended 1993, No. 237 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 1994; 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 182; 2017, No. 74, § 95; 2017, No. 93 (Adj. Sess.), § 20; 2017, No. 130 (Adj. Sess.), § 14.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 59 - Adoption and Enforcement of Ordinances and Rules › § 1974a. Enforcement of civil ordinance violations

§ 1974a. Enforcement of civil ordinance violations
(a) A civil penalty of not more than $800.00 may be imposed for a violation of a civil ordinance. Each day the violation continues shall constitute a separate violation.
(b) All civil ordinance violations, except municipal parking violations, and all continuing civil ordinance violations, where the penalty is $800.00 or less, shall be brought before the Judicial Bureau pursuant to Title 4 and this chapter. If the penalty for all continuing civil ordinance violations is greater than $800.00, or injunctive relief, other than as provided in subsection (c) of this section, is sought, the action shall be brought in the Criminal Division of the Superior Court, unless the matter relates to enforcement under chapter 117 of this title, in which instance the action shall be brought in the Environmental Division of the Superior Court.
(c) The Judicial Bureau, on application of a municipality, may order that a civil ordinance violation cease.
(d) Civil enforcement of municipal zoning violations may be brought as a civil ordinance violation pursuant to this section or in an enforcement action pursuant to the requirements of chapter 117 of this title.
(e)(1) When filed in court as an enforcement action by the municipality, municipal parking violations shall be brought as civil violations. The right to trial by jury shall not apply in such cases.
(2) A person who received a criminal conviction in District Court for a municipal parking violation committed before January 1, 2005 may petition the court to seal all records in the matter. The person shall provide a copy of the petition to the State or municipal official who was the prosecuting authority on the matter in District Court. The court shall grant the petition if, after providing the prosecuting authority with an opportunity to respond, the court finds that sealing the records would serve the interests of justice. (Added 1993, No. 237 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. Nov. 1, 1994; amended 1997, No. 121 (Adj. Sess.), § 17; 2003, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 77, eff. Jan. 1, 2005; 2003, No. 146 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. Jan. 1, 2005; 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 236; 2011, No. 155 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 59 - Adoption and Enforcement of Ordinances and Rules › § 1975. Evidence of adoption

§ 1975. Evidence of adoption
A certificate of the clerk of a municipality showing the publication, posting, recording, and adoption of an ordinance or rule, or any of the foregoing, shall be presumptive evidence of the facts so stated in any action or proceeding in court or before any board, commission, or other tribunal. (Added 1969, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. March 2, 1970; amended 1971, No. 14, § 13, eff. March 11, 1971.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 59 - Adoption and Enforcement of Ordinances and Rules › § 1976. Amendments and repeals

§ 1976. Amendments and repeals
An ordinance or rule adopted in accordance with the procedures provided for in this chapter may be amended or repealed in accordance with the procedure herein set forth relating to adoption of ordinances and rules, and the provisions of this chapter, including the right of petition and referendum contained in section 1973 of this title, shall apply to the amendment or repeal of an ordinance or rule adopted under this chapter as well as to its enactment. (Added 1969, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. March 2, 1970.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 59 - Adoption and Enforcement of Ordinances and Rules › § 1977. Complaint for municipal civil ordinance violations

§ 1977. Complaint for municipal civil ordinance violations
(a) The complaint in a municipal civil case shall be signed by the issuing municipal official. The original copy shall be filed with the Judicial Bureau, a copy shall be retained by the issuing municipal official, and two copies shall be given to the defendant.
(b) The municipal official may void or amend the municipal complaint issued by that official by so marking the complaint and sending it to the Judicial Bureau.
(c) The Court Administrator shall approve an appropriate summons and complaint form, pursuant to 4 V.S.A. § 1105(a), to implement the assessment of the full and waiver penalty provisions of this section. (Added 1993, No. 237 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. Nov. 1, 1994; amended 1997, No. 121 (Adj. Sess.), § 18; 1999, No. 58, § 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; 1999, No. 160 (Adj. Sess.), § 28.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 59 - Adoption and Enforcement of Ordinances and Rules › § 1979. Procedure

§ 1979. Procedure
(a) Municipal ordinance violations shall be heard by the Bureau and the procedure shall be as provided in 4 V.S.A. chapter 29.
(b) At the hearing, the municipal attorney or designee of the legislative body of the municipality may dismiss or amend the complaint, subject to the approval of the hearing officer.
(c) Upon entry of default judgment pursuant to 4 V.S.A. § 1105(f), the hearing officer shall assess the full penalty provided for in the ordinance that was found to have been violated.
(d) Upon entry of judgment against the defendant after a contested hearing, the hearing officer shall assess a civil penalty in an amount not less than the waiver penalty and not more than the full penalty provided for in the ordinance that was found to have been violated. (Added 1993, No. 237 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. Nov. 1, 1994; amended 1997, No. 121 (Adj. Sess.), § 19; 1999, No. 58, § 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; 2017, No. 93 (Adj. Sess.), § 21.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 59 - Adoption and Enforcement of Ordinances and Rules › § 1981. Enforcement of order from Judicial Bureau

§ 1981. Enforcement of order from Judicial Bureau
(a) Upon the filing of the complaint and entry of a judgment after hearing or entry of default by the hearing officer, subject to any appeal pursuant to 4 V.S.A. § 1107, the person found in violation shall have up to 30 days to pay the penalty to the Judicial Bureau. All the civil remedies for collection of judgments shall be available to enforce the final judgment of the Judicial Bureau.
(b) In addition to any other civil remedies available by law, a final judgment of the Judicial Bureau that has not been satisfied within 30 days shall, upon due recordation in the land records of the town in which any real or personal property of the defendant is located, constitute a lien upon that real or personal property, except for motor vehicles as defined by 23 V.S.A. § 4(21), and may be enforced within the time and in the manner provided for the collection of taxes pursuant to 32 V.S.A. chapter 133, subchapter 8.
(c) The remedies of civil contempt and referral to a collections agency for failure to pay a Judicial Bureau judgment under this section shall be as provided in 4 V.S.A. § 1109(c) and (d). (Added 1993, No. 237 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. Nov. 1, 1994; amended 1997, No. 121 (Adj. Sess.), § 20; 1997, No. 122 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 1999, No. 58, § 6; 2003, No. 62, § 3; see effective date note below; 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 238; 2011, No. 83 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2019, No. 77, § 22, eff. June 19, 2019; 2019, No. 175 (Adj. Sess.), § 24, eff. Oct. 8, 2020.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 59 - Adoption and Enforcement of Ordinances and Rules › § 1982. Reports

§ 1982. Reports
The Court Administrator shall prepare audits, records, and reports relating to the enforcement of municipal ordinance complaints in the Judicial Bureau. (Added 1993, No. 237 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. Nov. 1, 1994; amended 1997, No. 121 (Adj. Sess.), § 21.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 59 - Adoption and Enforcement of Ordinances and Rules › § 1983. Identification to law enforcement officers required

§ 1983. Identification to law enforcement officers required
(a) A law enforcement officer is authorized to detain a person if:
(1) the officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person has violated a municipal ordinance; and
(2) the person refuses to identify himself or herself satisfactorily to the officer when requested by the officer.
(b) The person may be detained only until the person identifies himself or herself satisfactorily to the officer or is properly identified. If the officer is unable to obtain the identification information, the person shall forthwith be brought before a Criminal Division of the Superior Court judge for that purpose. A person who refuses to identify himself or herself to the court on request shall immediately and without service of an order on the person be subject to civil contempt proceedings pursuant to 12 V.S.A. § 122. (Added 1997, No. 122 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 238; 2013, No. 194 (Adj. Sess.), § 14, eff. June 17, 2014.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 59 - Adoption and Enforcement of Ordinances and Rules › § 1984. Conflict of interest prohibition

§ 1984. Conflict of interest prohibition
(a)(1) Each town, city, and incorporated village, by majority vote of those present and voting at an annual or special meeting warned for that purpose, shall adopt a conflict of interest prohibition for its elected and appointed officials, which shall contain:
(A) A definition of “conflict of interest.”
(B) A list of the elected and appointed officials covered by such prohibition.
(C) A method to determine whether a conflict of interest exists.
(D) Actions that must be taken if a conflict of interest is determined to exist.
(E) A method of enforcement against individuals violating such prohibition.
(2) The requirement set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not apply if, pursuant to the provisions of subdivision 2291(20) of this title, the municipality has established a conflict of interest policy that is in substantial compliance with subdivision (1).
(b)(1) Unless the prohibition adopted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section contains a different definition of “conflict of interest,” for the purposes of a prohibition adopted under this section, “conflict of interest” means a direct personal or pecuniary interest of a public official, or the official’s spouse, household member, business associate, employer, or employee, in the outcome of a cause, proceeding, application, or any other matter pending before the official or before the agency or public body in which the official holds office or is employed.
(2) “Conflict of interest” does not arise in the case of votes or decisions on matters in which the public official has a personal or pecuniary interest in the outcome, such as in the establishment of a tax rate, that is no greater than that of other persons generally affected by the decision. (Added 1999, No. 82 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 2017, No. 79, § 14, eff. July 1, 2019.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 61 - Regulatory Provisions; Police Power of Municipalities › § 2001. Definition

§ 2001. Definition
The term “legislative body” of a municipality, as used in this chapter, shall mean the mayor and board of aldermen of a city, the selectboard of a town, and the president and trustees of an incorporated village. The term “selectboard,” as used in this chapter, shall include the mayor and board of aldermen of a city and the president and trustees of an incorporated village. The term “town” shall mean village or city.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 61 - Regulatory Provisions; Police Power of Municipalities › § 2031. Jitneys; regulations; powers

§ 2031. Jitneys; regulations; powers
The legislative branch of a municipality shall have the power to make, establish, alter, amend, or repeal regulations for the operation, parking, soliciting, delivery, or fares in the jitney and taxi business in general within the municipality and to establish penalties for the breach thereof, not to exceed $100.00 for each violation thereof. (Amended 1965, No. 194, § 10, eff. July 1, 1965, operative Feb. 1, 1967; 1973, No. 249 (Adj. Sess.), § 80, eff. April 9, 1974.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 61 - Regulatory Provisions; Police Power of Municipalities › § 2032. Referendum

§ 2032. Referendum
The right of a legislative branch of a municipality to make such regulations shall not take effect until they have been approved and accepted by a majority of the voters of the municipality attending a duly warned regular or special meeting called for that purpose, nor shall such regulations take effect until they are published once a week on the same day for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper published in such municipality or, in the absence thereof, in a newspaper circulating within the county.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 61 - Regulatory Provisions; Police Power of Municipalities › § 2091. Complaint

§ 2091. Complaint
Upon complaint to the legislative body that some person, firm, or corporation, having authority to transact business in this State, is unreasonably and unnecessarily disturbing or interfering with the reception of radio or television waves used for radio or television transmission, the legislative body, after notice to such person, firm, or corporation, may investigate or cause to be investigated such complaint under such rules and regulations as the legislative body may prescribe as to service of such notice and as to the date of hearing thereon.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 61 - Regulatory Provisions; Police Power of Municipalities › § 2092. Investigation; notice

§ 2092. Investigation; notice
If, upon such investigation, the source and cause of such alleged disturbance or interference is determined, after due notice as provided in section 2091 of this title, the legislative body shall give due notice in writing to the person, firm, or corporation found by such legislative body to be responsible therefor to correct or eliminate the cause of such unnecessary or unreasonable disturbance or interference, within a reasonable time thereafter to be stated in such notice. Such notice may be sent to the person, firm, or corporation affected, by registered mail addressed to the residence or place of business in this State.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 61 - Regulatory Provisions; Police Power of Municipalities › § 2093. Penalty

§ 2093. Penalty
Within the time fixed in the notice, a person who refuses and neglects to correct or eliminate the cause of the unreasonable disturbance, provided the same is reasonably subject to correction at a cost not to exceed $50.00, and who, after such time, knowingly, willfully, or maliciously continues unreasonably or unnecessarily to disturb the reception of such radio or television waves, shall be fined not more than $50.00. (Amended 1965, No. 194, § 10, eff. July 1, 1965, operative Feb. 1, 1967; 1973, No. 249 (Adj. Sess.), § 81, eff. April 9, 1974.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 61 - Regulatory Provisions; Police Power of Municipalities › § 2121. Injunctions

§ 2121. Injunctions
The selectboard of a town in the name and behalf of such town or the town school district therein, as the case may be, and the trustees of an incorporated village, in the name and behalf of such village, may prefer complaint for relief by injunction for the abatement of public nuisances. The Superior Court shall have jurisdiction of such actions.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 61 - Regulatory Provisions; Police Power of Municipalities › § 2151. Child welfare

§ 2151. Child welfare
A municipality may make regulations respecting children under 16 years of age who are allowed to loiter in the streets or other public places. Such regulations shall be conducive to their welfare and to the public good. Such municipality may fix a penalty of not more than $5.00 for each violation of such regulations to be recovered against the person having the custody of such child in a civil action on this statute.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 61 - Regulatory Provisions; Police Power of Municipalities › § 2201a. Depositing household and commercial trash in roadside and park litter barrels

§ 2201a. Depositing household and commercial trash in roadside and park litter barrels
(a) A person shall not use trash containers which are provided for travel trash at State parks, public picnic and rest areas, and roadside turnouts as dumping places for household garbage, household trash, farm waste, or commercial waste materials or deposit such garbage, trash, or waste material on or near any spot commonly used for picnic purposes.
(b) A person who violates a provision of this section shall be fined not more than $200.00 or may work a total of not more than 40 hours collecting trash or litter from roadsides or other public property under such supervision as the court may direct. (Added 1983, No. 210 (Adj. Sess.).)