reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 113 - Housing Authorities › § 4019. United States cooperation

§ 4019. United States cooperation
In addition to the powers conferred upon an authority by other provisions of this chapter, an authority is empowered to borrow money or accept grants or other financial assistance from the federal government for, or in aid of, any housing project within its area of operation, to take over or lease or manage any housing project or undertaking constructed or owned by the federal government and to these ends to comply with such conditions and enter into such mortgages, trust indentures, leases, or agreements as may be necessary, convenient, or desirable. It is the purpose and intent of this chapter to authorize every authority to do any and all things necessary or desirable to secure the financial aid or the cooperation of the federal government in the undertaking, construction, maintenance, or operation of any housing project by such authority. (1961, No. 212, § 19, eff. July 11, 1961.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 113 - Housing Authorities › § 4020. Taxation

§ 4020. Taxation
The property of an authority is declared to be public property used for essential public and governmental purposes and such property and an authority shall be exempt from all taxes and special assessments of the State or any State public body thereof; provided however, that in lieu of such taxes or special assessments, the authority may agree to make payments to the State public body for improvements, services, and facilities furnished by such State public body for the benefit of the housing project, but in no event shall the payments exceed the estimated cost to such State public body of the improvements, services, or facilities to be so furnished. (1961, No. 212, § 20, eff. July 11, 1961.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 113 - Housing Authorities › § 4021. Governmental services and contracts

§ 4021. Governmental services and contracts
In connection with any housing project located within the area in which it is authorized to act, any State public body may contract with the housing authority with respect to the sum or sums, if any, which the housing authority may agree to pay, during any year or period of years, to the State public body for the improvements, services, and facilities to be furnished by it, for the benefit of said housing project, but in no event shall the amount of such payments exceed the estimated cost to the State public body of the improvements, services, or facilities to be so furnished: provided however, that the absence of a contract for such payments shall in no way relieve any State public body from the duty to furnish, for the benefit of said housing project, customary improvements and such services and facilities as such State public body furnishes customarily without a service fee. (1961, No. 212, § 21, eff. July 11, 1961.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 113 - Housing Authorities › § 4022. Powers

§ 4022. Powers
For the purpose of aiding and cooperating in the planning, undertaking, construction, or operation of housing projects, located within the area in which it is authorized to act, any State public body may upon such terms, with or without consideration, as it may determine:
(1) dedicate, sell, convey, or lease any of its interest in any property or grant easements, licenses, or any other rights or privileges therein, to a housing authority or the federal government;
(2) cause parks, playgrounds, recreational, community, educational, water, sewer or drainage facilities, or any other works which it is otherwise empowered to undertake, to be furnished adjacent to or in connection with housing projects;
(3) furnish, dedicate, close, pave, install, grade, regrade, plan, or replan streets, roads, roadways, alleys, sidewalks, or other places which it is otherwise empowered to undertake;
(4) plan or replan, zone or rezone, any part of such State public body; make exceptions from building regulations and ordinances; any city may also change its map;
(5) cause services to be furnished to the housing authority of the character which such State public body is otherwise empowered to furnish;
(6) enter into agreements with respect to the exercise by such State public body of its powers relating to the repair, closing, or demolition of unsafe, unsanitary, or unfit dwellings;
(7) employ, notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, any funds belonging to or within the control of such State public body, including funds derived from the sale of furnishings or property or facilities to a housing authority, in the purchase of the bonds or other obligations of the housing authority; and exercise all rights of any holder of such bonds or other obligations;
(8) enter into agreements, which may extend over any period, notwithstanding any provision or rule of law to the contrary, with a housing authority or the federal government respecting the exercise by such State public body of any of the powers herein granted;
(9) do any and all things necessary or convenient to aid and cooperate in the planning, undertaking, construction, or operation of such housing projects; and
(10) in connection with any public improvements made by a State public body exercising the powers herein granted, such State public body may incur the entire expense thereof. (1961, No. 212, § 22, eff. July 11, 1961.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 113 - Housing Authorities › § 4023. Appropriation

§ 4023. Appropriation
When any housing authority which is created for any municipality becomes authorized to transact business and exercise its powers therein, the governing body of such municipality shall immediately make an estimate of the amount of money necessary for the administrative expenses and overhead of such housing authority during the first year thereafter and shall appropriate such amount to the authority out of any monies in the treasury of such municipality not appropriated to some other purpose. The money so appropriated shall be paid to the authority as a donation. Any municipality located within the area of operation of a housing authority shall have the power from time to time to lend or donate money to the authority. The housing authority, when it has money available therefore, shall make reimbursement for all loans made to it. (1961, No. 212, § 23, eff. July 11, 1961.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 113 - Housing Authorities › § 4024. Exercise of authority

§ 4024. Exercise of authority
The exercise by a State public body of the powers granted in this chapter may be authorized by resolution of the governing body of such State public body adopted by a majority of the members thereof present at a meeting of said governing body. Such resolution or resolutions shall take effect immediately upon passage and need not thereafter be laid over or published or posted. (1961, No. 212, § 24, eff. July 11, 1961.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 113 - Housing Authorities › § 4025. Report

§ 4025. Report
At least once a year, an authority shall file with the clerk a report of its activities for the preceding year and shall make recommendations with reference to such additional legislation or other actions as it deems necessary in order to carry out the purpose of this chapter. (Amended 1961, No. 212, § 25, eff. July 11, 1961; 1967, No. 332 (Adj. Sess.), § 6, eff. March 23, 1968; 2011, No. 139 (Adj. Sess.), § 20, eff. May 14, 2012.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 113 - Housing Authorities › § 4026. Inconsistent acts

§ 4026. Inconsistent acts
As far as the provisions of this chapter are inconsistent with any other law, including special act or municipal charter, this chapter shall control. (Added 1966, No. 69 (Sp. Sess.), § 11, eff. March 14, 1966.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 113 - Housing Authorities › § 4027. Joint municipal housing authorities

§ 4027. Joint municipal housing authorities
The governing bodies of two or more municipalities may, pursuant to and in the manner set forth in section 4003 of this title, adopt a resolution to establish a housing authority for such municipalities. When the governing bodies of two or more towns adopt such a resolution, they shall also appoint, in the manner set forth in section 4004 of this title, five persons as the commissioners of the authority established. A housing authority established pursuant to this section shall have the same powers and responsibilities as a housing authority established for a single municipality. (Added 1977, No. 27, § 2.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4303a. Computation of time

§ 4303a. Computation of time
Where an event is required or permitted to occur by this chapter before, on, or after a specified period of time measured from another event, in calculating the period:
(1) the first day shall not be counted; and
(2) the final day shall be counted. (Added 1981, No. 132 (Adj. Sess.), § 3.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4304. Planning and land use manual

§ 4304. Planning and land use manual
(a) The Commissioner of Housing and Community Development shall prepare, maintain, and distribute from time to time to all municipalities a manual setting forth:
(1) a copy of this chapter, together with all amendments thereof;
(2) examples of land planning policies, and maps and documents prepared in conformance with plan requirements;
(3) an explanation and illustrative examples of bylaws, capital programs, budgets, and procedures authorized in this chapter; and
(4) other explanatory material and data which will aid municipalities in the preparation of plans, capital budgets, programs, and the administration of bylaws authorized in this chapter.
(b) The Commissioner of Housing and Community Development shall, from time to time, confer with interested persons with a view toward ensuring the maintenance of such manual in a form most useful to those regions and municipalities making use of it.
(c) Sections of this manual may be cited in any plan or bylaw in the same manner as citations of this chapter, and may be incorporated by reference in any plan bylaw. (Added 1967, No. 334 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 1971, No. 257 (Adj. Sess.), § 22, eff. April 11, 1972; 1975, No. 164 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 1995, No. 190 (Adj. Sess.), § 1(a); 2013, No. 146 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. May 27, 2014.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4321. Creation of planning commissions

§ 4321. Creation of planning commissions
(a) A planning commission may be created at any time by the act of the legislative body of a municipality.
(b) In any urban municipality, the legislative body may create a planning department headed by a planning director as a substitute for a planning commission, and, in that event all of the powers and duties of planning commissions set forth herein shall be exercised by such planning director, subject to such regulations as that executive body shall from time to time specify, and sections 4322 and 4323 of this title shall not apply to such director. In such event, that legislative body may further create an advisory planning council, which shall only function in an advisory capacity to the planning director in the exercise of his or her powers and duties, and shall have such other functions as that legislative body shall, by resolution, assign to such council. (Added 1967, No. 334 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 23, 1968.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4322. Planning commission; membership

§ 4322. Planning commission; membership
(a) A planning commission shall have not less than three nor more than nine voting members. All members may be compensated and reimbursed by the municipality for necessary and reasonable expenses. At least a majority of the members of a planning commission shall be residents of the municipality.
(b) The legislative body of a rural town, or not more than two elected or appointed officials of an urban municipality who are chosen by the legislative body of the urban municipality, shall be nonvoting ex officio members of a planning commission. If a municipality has an energy coordinator under chapter 33, subchapter 12 of this title, the energy coordinator may be a nonvoting ex officio member of the planning commission.
(c) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section:
(1) for an appointed planning commission, the legislative body may change the number of members that may be appointed to the commission; and
(2) for an elected planning commission, a municipality may vote at an annual or special meeting to change the number of members that may be elected to the commission.
(d) Notwithstanding subsection 4323(c) of this subchapter, if the number of members on an appointed or elected planning commission is reduced, the members with the nearest expiration of their term of office shall serve until the expiration of that term and then the office shall terminate. (Added 1967, No. 334 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 1969, No. 116, § 3; 1973, No. 261 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. July 1, 1974; 1979, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2021, No. 157 (Adj. Sess.), § 6, eff. July 1, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4323. Appointment, term, and vacancy; rules

§ 4323. Appointment, term, and vacancy; rules
(a) Members of a planning commission shall be appointed and any vacancy filled by the legislative body of a municipality. The length of the term of planning commission members shall be determined by the legislative body of a municipality. Any member may be removed at any time by unanimous vote of the legislative body. Any appointment to fill a vacancy shall be for the unexpired term.
(b) A planning commission shall elect a chair and a clerk and, at its organization meeting, shall adopt by majority vote of those members present and voting such other rules as it deems necessary and appropriate for the performance of its functions. A planning commission shall keep a record of its resolutions and transactions, which shall be maintained as a public record of the municipality.
(c) As an alternative to appointment under subsection (a) of this section, municipalities may choose to elect planning commissioners for terms of one to four years. The proposal to elect and the length of terms to be filled shall be determined pursuant to a duly warned article at an annual or special meeting of the municipality. If a municipality chooses to elect planning commissioners:
(1) The length and spacing of terms shall be decided by vote of the municipality.
(2) Elections shall occur only as terms are completed, or as vacancies occur, or as new planning commissions are created.
(3) Vacancies may be filled by appointment of the legislative body only until the next meeting of the municipality, at which time the voters shall elect a commissioner to fill the unexpired term.
(4) Elected commissioners may not be removed by action of the legislative body. (Added 1967, No. 334 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 23, 1968; 1989, No. 280 (Adj. Sess.), § 3a; 2003, No. 103 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4324. Existing commissions

§ 4324. Existing commissions
The members of any existing planning commission or body having similar powers and functions established under former laws shall continue in office until the end of their term as so established. New members shall be appointed and vacancies filled only under this chapter. Such commissions shall have, on March 23, 1968, all of the powers and duties of a planning commission created under this chapter. (Added 1967, No. 334 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 23, 1968.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4325. Powers and duties of planning commissions

§ 4325. Powers and duties of planning commissions
Any planning commission created under this chapter may:
(1) Prepare a plan and amendments thereof for consideration by the legislative body and to review any amendments thereof initiated by others as set forth in subchapter 5 of this chapter.
(2) Prepare and present to the legislative body proposed bylaws and make recommendations to the legislative body on proposed amendments to such bylaws as set forth in subchapter 6 of this chapter.
(3) Administer bylaws adopted under this chapter, except to the extent that those functions are performed by a development review board.
(4) Undertake capacity studies and make recommendations on matters of land development, urban renewal, transportation, economic and social development, urban beautification and design improvements, historic and scenic preservation, the conservation of energy and the development of renewable energy resources, and wetland protection. Data gathered by the planning commission that is relevant to the geographic information system established under 3 V.S.A. § 20 shall be compatible with, useful to, and shared with that system.
(5) Prepare and present to the legislative body recommended building, plumbing, fire, electrical, housing, and related codes and enforcement procedures, and construction specifications for streets and related public improvements.
(6) Prepare and present a recommended capital budget and program for a period of five years, as set forth in section 4440 of this title, for action by the legislative body, as set forth under section 4443 of this title.
(7) Hold public meetings.
(8) Require from other departments and agencies of the municipality such available information as relates to the work of the planning commission.
(9) In the performance of its functions, enter upon land to make examinations and surveys.
(10) Participate in a regional planning program.
(11) Retain staff and consultant assistance in carrying out its duties and powers.
(12) Undertake comprehensive planning, including related preliminary planning and engineering studies.
(13) Perform such other acts or functions as it may deem necessary or appropriate to fulfill the duties and obligations imposed by, and the intent and purposes of, this chapter. (Added 1967, No. 334 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 1979, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 1985, No. 188 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; 1987, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. July 1, 1989; 1993, No. 232 (Adj. Sess.), § 45, eff. March 15, 1995; 2003, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 85.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4326. Appropriations, reports, and records

§ 4326. Appropriations, reports, and records
Every municipality may appropriate to and expend funds for its planning commission. The planning commission shall keep a record of its business and shall make an annual report to the municipality. A planning commission may accept and utilize any funds, personal or other assistance made available by this State or federal government or any of their agencies or from private sources. (Added 1967, No. 334 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 23, 1968.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4327. Joint planning commissions

§ 4327. Joint planning commissions
(a) Any planning commission of a municipality which is a town having one or more municipalities contained within its area or which is one of such contained municipalities shall, upon the act of the legislative body of each municipality, be the planning commission under this chapter for such town and all such contained municipalities.
(b) A planning commission acting for more than one municipality shall be the planning commission for such town and all such contained municipalities until such joint arrangement is terminated by the act of the legislative body of any participating municipality.
(c) In any town containing one or more villages, any act required under this chapter to be taken by a legislative body or by the vote of a municipality shall be taken by the legislative body of the town or, as the case may be, the voters of the town, including the voters of any contained village.
(d) If a contained village adopts its own plan, capital budget, or program or one or more bylaws, then any act required under this chapter for the adoption shall be taken by the legislative body or voters of the village. Nevertheless, the voters of the village shall remain as voters in the town for the adoption of town bylaws and capital budget and program, as provided in subsection (c) of this section.
(e) A single planning commission, appointed by the Board of Governors of the unified towns and gores of Essex County, namely Averill, Avery’s Gore, Ferdinand, Lewis, Warner’s Grant, and Warren’s Gore, shall serve as the planning commission for these towns and gores. (Added 1967, No. 334 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 1973, No. 188 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. July 1, 1974; 1973, No. 261 (Adj. Sess.),§§ 3, 7 eff. July 1, 1974; 1975, No. 164 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2005, No. 30, § 1; 2005, No. 105 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4328. Terms of office inconsistent with charter provisions

§ 4328. Terms of office inconsistent with charter provisions
When a charter of a municipality exists having terms respecting the appointment and authority of municipal officials, relating to their activities under this chapter, which terms are inconsistent with this chapter, those terms of that charter shall prevail. (Added 1967, No. 334 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 1969, No. 116, § 4.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4341. Creation of regional planning commissions

§ 4341. Creation of regional planning commissions
(a) A regional planning commission may be created at any time by the act of the voters or the legislative body of each of a number of contiguous municipalities, upon the written approval of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. Approval of a designated region shall be based on whether the municipalities involved constitute a logical geographic and a coherent socioeconomic planning area. All municipalities within a designated region shall be considered members of the regional planning commission. For the purpose of a regional planning commission’s carrying out its duties and functions under State law, such a designated region shall be considered a political subdivision of the State.
(b) Two or more existing regional planning commissions may be merged to form a single commission by act of the legislative bodies in a majority of the municipalities in each of the merging regions.
(c) A municipality may move from one regional planning commission to another regional planning commission on terms and conditions approved by the Secretary of Commerce and Community Development. (Added 1967, No. 334 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 1971, No. 257 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. April 11, 1972; 1981, No. 132 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 1987, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 19, eff. July 1, 1989; 1995, No. 190 (Adj. Sess.), § 1(a); 2009, No. 146 (Adj. Sess.), § G5, eff. June 1, 2010; 2009, No. 156 (Adj. Sess.), § F.11, eff. June 3, 2010; 2013, No. 36, § 3.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4341a. Performance grants for regional planning service

§ 4341a. Performance grants for regional planning service
(a) The Secretary of Commerce and Community Development shall negotiate and issue performance grants to regional planning commissions, or to regional planning commissions and regional development corporations in the case of a joint grant, to provide regional planning services.
(b) A performance grant shall address how the regional planning commission, or regional planning commission and regional development corporation jointly, will improve results and achieve savings compared with the current regional service delivery system, which may include:
(1) a proposal without change in the makeup or change of the area served;
(2) a joint proposal to provide different services pursuant to a grant to one or more regional service providers;
(3) colocation with other local, regional, or State service providers;
(4) merger with one or more regional service providers;
(5) consolidation of administrative functions and additional operational efficiencies within the region; or
(6) such other cost-saving mechanisms as may be available. (Added 2009, No. 146 (Adj. Sess.), § G5, eff. June 1, 2010; amended 2015, No. 11, § 30; 2015, No. 157 (Adj. Sess.), § C.2, eff. July 1, 2017.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4342. Regional planning commissions; membership

§ 4342. Regional planning commissions; membership
A regional planning commission shall contain at least one representative appointed from each member municipality. All representatives may be compensated and reimbursed by their respective municipalities for necessary and reasonable expenses. (Added 1967, No. 334 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 1971, No. 257 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 11, 1972; 1977, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.).)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4343. Appointment, term, and vacancy; rules

§ 4343. Appointment, term, and vacancy; rules
(a) Representatives to a regional planning commission representing each participating municipality shall be appointed for a term and any vacancy filled by the legislative body of such municipality in the manner provided and for the terms established by the charter and bylaws of the regional planning commission. Regardless of regional planning commission bylaws, representatives to the commission shall serve at the pleasure of the legislative body. The legislative body may, by majority vote of the entire body, revoke a commission member’s appointment at any time.
(b) A regional planning commission may elect an executive board, consisting of not less than five nor more than nine members, to oversee the operations of the commission and implement the policies of the commission, and shall elect a chair and a secretary, and, at its organization meeting shall adopt, by a two-thirds vote of those representatives present and voting at such meeting, such rules and create and fill such other offices as it deems necessary or appropriate for the performance of its functions, including the number and qualification of members, terms of office, and provisions for municipal representation and voting.
(c) A regional planning commission may also have such other members, who may be elected or appointed in such manner as the regional planning commission may prescribe by its rules adopted pursuant to this section. (Added 1967, No. 334 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 1981, No. 132 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. July 1, 1982; 1989, No. 280 (Adj. Sess.), § 3b; 2009, No. 146 (Adj. Sess.), § G5, eff. June 1, 2010.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4346. Appropriations

§ 4346. Appropriations
Regional planning commissions may apply for, receive, and expend monies from any source, public or private, including grants, loans, and funds made available by the participating municipalities, and by an agency or department of the State of Vermont, out of State funds appropriated to that agency or department for this purpose. Notwithstanding the provisions of any municipal charter, any municipality may appropriate and expend funds to and for regional planning commissions either by the authorization of its voters or by incorporating such amount as a line item in their administrative budget. (Added 1967, No. 334 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 1971, No. 257 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. April 11, 1972; 1995, No. 190 (Adj. Sess.), § 1(a); 2009, No. 146 (Adj. Sess.), § G5, eff. June 1, 2010; 2013, No. 36, § 2.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4347. Purposes of regional plan

§ 4347. Purposes of regional plan
A regional plan shall be made with the general purpose of guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, efficient, and economic development of the region which will, in accordance with the present and future needs and resources, best promote the health, safety, order, convenience, prosperity, and welfare of the inhabitants as well as efficiency and economy in the process of development. This general purpose includes recommending a distribution of population and of the uses of the land for urbanization, trade, industry, habitation, recreation, agriculture, forestry, and other uses as will tend to:
(1) create conditions favorable to transportation, health, safety, civic activities, and educational and cultural opportunities;
(2) reduce the wastes of financial, energy, and human resources which result from either excessive congestion or excessive scattering of population;
(3) promote an efficient and economic utilization of drainage, energy, sanitary, and other facilities and resources;
(4) promote the conservation of the supply of food, water, energy, and minerals;
(5) promote the production of food and fiber resources and the reasonable use of mineral, water, and renewable energy resources; and
(6) promote the development of housing suitable to the needs of the region and its communities. (Added 1967, No. 334 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 1979, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; 1987, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 22, 23, eff. July 1, 1989.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4348b. Readoption of regional plans

§ 4348b. Readoption of regional plans
(a) Unless they are readopted, all regional plans, including all prior amendments, shall expire every eight years.
(b)(1) A regional plan that has expired or is about to expire may be readopted as provided under section 4348 of this title for the adoption of a regional plan or amendment. Prior to any readoption, the regional planning commission shall prepare an assessment report which shall be submitted to the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and the municipalities within the region. The assessment report may include:
(A) the extent to which the plan has been implemented since adoption or readoption;
(B) an evaluation of the goals and policies and any amendments necessary due to changing conditions of the region;
(C) an evaluation of the land use element and any amendments necessary to reflect changes in land use within the region or changes to regional goals and policies;
(D) priorities for implementation in the next five years; and
(E) updates to information and data necessary to support goals and policies.
(2) The readopted plan shall remain in effect for the ensuing eight years unless earlier readopted.
(c) Upon the expiration of a regional plan under this section, the regional plan shall be of no further effect in any other proceeding.
(d) All regional plans that expire after July 1, 1991 shall be readopted to be consistent with planning goals and shall follow the review process referred to in 1988 Acts and Resolves No. 200. (Added 1981, No. 132 (Adj. Sess.), § 8; amended 1987, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 25, eff. July 1, 1989; 1989, No. 101, §§ 2, 3; 2009, No. 146 (Adj. Sess.), § G5, eff. June 1, 2010; 2011, No. 52, § 30, eff. July 1, 2012.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4349. Regional plan; adoption by municipality

§ 4349. Regional plan; adoption by municipality
(a) If a regional planning commission prepares and adopts a regional plan, the regional plan or a portion thereof may then be adopted by the legislative body of any member municipality as its plan in accordance with subchapter 5 of this chapter.
(b) The legislative body of any municipality may designate the regional planning commission of a region of which such municipality is a member as the planning commission of such municipality, and, if so designated, the regional planning commission shall thereafter act as the planning commission of such municipality until a planning commission is created under section 4321 of this title or until such regional planning commission notifies such legislative body, in writing, that it no longer will so act. (Added 1967, No. 334 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 23, 1968.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4351. Review by Commissioner of Housing and Community Development

§ 4351. Review by Commissioner of Housing and Community Development
(a) The Commissioner of Housing and Community Development shall establish guidelines for the provision of affordable housing by municipalities with plans that have not been approved under this chapter. These guidelines shall be consistent with goals established in section 4302 of this title.
(b) On a periodic basis, commencing in 1996, the Commissioner of Housing and Community Development, or a designee, shall review the planning process of municipalities that do not have approved plans, for compliance with the affordable housing criteria established under this section and shall issue a report to the municipality and to the regional planning commission. Each review shall include a public hearing which is noticed at least 15 days in advance by posting in the office of the municipal clerk and at least one public place within the municipality and by publication in a newspaper or newspapers of general publication in the region affected. (Added 1987, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 15a, eff. July 1, 1989; amended 1989, No. 101, § 5; 1989, No. 280 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; 2003, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 88; 2009, No. 146 (Adj. Sess.), § G5, eff. June 1, 2010.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4362. Appropriations

§ 4362. Appropriations
(a) For the purposes outlined in subdivisions 4345(6) and (12) of this title, regional planning commissions may receive and expend monies from any source, including the participating municipalities and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, out of funds appropriated to that Agency for this purpose. Municipalities may appropriate to and expend funds for regional planning commissions for this purpose. Direct financial assistance from the State to regional planning commissions for the purposes outlined in subdivisions 4345(6) and (12) of this title is restricted to 50 percent of the annual operating expenses of the commission.
(b) Regional planning commissions requesting State aid from the Agency of Commerce and Community Development shall submit annual reports to the Agency of their activities and shall comply with such rules, regulations, and standards as the Agency shall prescribe to determine eligibility for State financial assistance, and, further, shall submit to the Agency, or must be in the process of preparing, a program for the economic development of the region that is consistent with the regional plan for the region that has been adopted or that is in the process of preparation. (Added 1967, No. 334 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 1971, No. 257 (Adj. Sess.), § 6, eff. April 11, 1972; 1995, No. 190 (Adj. Sess.), § 1(a); 2019, No. 14, § 67, eff. April 30, 2019.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4381. Authorization

§ 4381. Authorization
Any municipality may undertake a comprehensive planning program, including related preliminary planning and engineering studies, and prepare, maintain, and implement a plan within its jurisdiction in accordance with this chapter. (Added 1967, No. 334 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 1987, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 9, eff. July 1, 1989; 1989, No. 280 (Adj. Sess.), § 4b.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4387. Readoption of plans

§ 4387. Readoption of plans
(a) All plans, including all prior amendments, shall expire every eight years unless they are readopted according to the procedures in section 4385 of this title.
(b)(1) A municipality may readopt any plan that has expired or is about to expire. Prior to any readoption, the planning commission shall review and update the information on which the plan is based, and shall consider this information in evaluating the continuing applicability of the plan. In its review, the planning commission shall:
(A) consider the recommendations of the regional planning commission provided pursuant to subdivision 4350(c)(2) of this title;
(B) engage in community outreach and involvement in updating the plan;
(C) consider consistency with the goals established in section 4302 of this title;
(D) address the required plan elements under section 4382 of this title;
(E) evaluate the plan for internal consistency among plan elements, goals, objectives, and community standards;
(F) address compatibility with the regional plan and the approved plans of adjoining municipalities; and
(G) establish a program and schedule for implementing the plan.
(2) The readopted plan shall remain in effect for the ensuing eight years unless earlier readopted.
(c) Upon the expiration of a plan, all bylaws and capital budgets and programs then in effect shall remain in effect, but shall not be amended until a plan is in effect.
(d) The fact that a plan has not been approved shall not make it inapplicable, except as specifically provided by this chapter. Bylaws, capital budgets, and programs shall remain in effect, even if the plan has not been approved. (Added 1967, No. 334 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 1975, No. 164 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 1981, No. 132 (Adj. Sess.), § 11; 1987, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 14, eff. July 1, 1989; 1989, No. 280 (Adj. Sess.), § 10; 2015, No. 90 (Adj. Sess.), § 3.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4401. Purpose and authority

§ 4401. Purpose and authority
Any municipality that has adopted and has in effect a plan and has created a planning commission under this chapter may implement the plan by adopting, amending, and enforcing any or all of the regulatory and nonregulatory tools provided for in this chapter. All such regulatory and nonregulatory tools shall be in conformance with the plan, shall be adopted for the purposes set forth in section 4302 of this title, and shall be in accord with the policies set forth therein. (Added 1967, No. 334 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 1969, No. 116, § 5; 1971, No. 257 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 9, 10, eff. April 11, 1972; 1973, No. 261 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. July 1, 1974; 1975, No. 164 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 1983, No. 249 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 1993, No. 232 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 15, 1995; 2003, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 91.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4402. Bylaws and regulatory implementation tools authorized

§ 4402. Bylaws and regulatory implementation tools authorized
A municipality may adopt regulatory tools, including the following specific regulatory tools which are more fully described in subchapter 7 of this chapter:
(1) Zoning bylaws.
(2) Site plan bylaws.
(3) Subdivision bylaws.
(4) Unified development bylaws.
(5) Official map.
(6) Impact fees.
(7) Phasing.
(8) Transfer of development rights.
(9) Special or freestanding bylaws. (Added 2003, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 92.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4403. Nonregulatory implementation tools

§ 4403. Nonregulatory implementation tools
A municipality may utilize the following tools, and other tools not specifically listed, in conformance with the municipal plan and for the purposes established in section 4302 of this title, alone or in conjunction with regulatory tools described in section 4402 of this title.
(1) Capital budget and program. A municipality may adopt a capital budget and five-year program, pursuant to section 4430 of this title.
(2) Tax increment financing. Pursuant to chapter 53 of this title, a municipality may create within its jurisdiction one or more tax increment financing districts.
(3) Tax stabilization contracts. Pursuant to 32 V.S.A. §§ 4969 and 4985, a municipality may enter into tax stabilization contracts.
(4) Purchase or acceptance of development rights. A municipality may purchase or accept development rights as a method to implement its plan, pursuant to 10 V.S.A. chapter 155.
(5) Plans supporting the municipal plan. A municipality may develop supporting plans and may incorporate these plans into the municipal plan pursuant to the process described in section 4385 of this title.
(6) Advisory commissions. For the purposes of this chapter, the term “advisory commissions” includes advisory committees. A municipality may form commissions that are composed of persons with particular expertise or interest to assist with implementation of the plan in areas such as design review, historic preservation, housing, and conservation. (Added 2003, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 93.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4404. State designation; implementation of municipal plan

§ 4404. State designation; implementation of municipal plan
A municipality, to implement its municipal plan, may apply for State designation of an existing or planned municipal growth center, downtown, village center, new town center, or neighborhood development area as necessary for eligibility to receive associated benefits pursuant to chapter 76A of this title. (Added 2013, No. 146 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. May 27, 2014.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4410. Regulatory implementation of the municipal plan

§ 4410. Regulatory implementation of the municipal plan
A municipality that has adopted a plan through its bylaws may define and regulate land development in any manner that the municipality establishes in its bylaws, provided those bylaws are in conformance with the plan and are adopted for the purposes set forth in section 4302 of this title. In its bylaws, a municipality may utilize any or all of the tools provided in this subchapter and any other regulatory tools or methods not specifically listed. However, no bylaws shall directly conflict with sections 4412 and 4413 of this title and subchapters 9, 10, and 11 of this title. (Added 2003, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 95.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 117 - Municipal and Regional Planning and Development › § 4416. Site plan review

§ 4416. Site plan review
(a) As prerequisite to the approval of any use other than one- and two-family dwellings, the approval of site plans by the appropriate municipal panel may be required, under procedures set forth in subchapter 10 of this chapter. In reviewing site plans, the appropriate municipal panel may impose, in accordance with the bylaws, appropriate conditions and safeguards with respect to the adequacy of parking, traffic access, and circulation for pedestrians and vehicles; landscaping and screening; the protection of the utilization of renewable energy resources; exterior lighting; the size, location, and design of signs; and other matters specified in the bylaws. The bylaws shall specify the maps, data, and other information to be presented with applications for site plan approval and a review process pursuant to section 4464 of this title.
(b) Whenever a proposed site plan involves access to a State highway or other work in the State highway right-of-way such as excavation, grading, paving, or utility installation, the application for site plan approval shall include a letter from the Agency of Transportation confirming that the Agency has reviewed the proposed site plan and determined whether a permit is required under 19 V.S.A. § 1111. If the Agency determines that a permit for the proposed site plan is required under 19 V.S.A. § 1111, then the letter from the Agency may set out conditions that the Agency proposes to attach to the permit required under 19 V.S.A. § 1111. (Added 2003, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 95; amended 2013, No. 167 (Adj. Sess.), § 29; 2021, No. 55, § 36; 2021, No. 184 (Adj. Sess.), § 39, eff. July 1, 2022.)