reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 123 - How, Where, and to Whom Property Is Taxed › § 3621. Petroleum and natural gas infrastructure

§ 3621. Petroleum and natural gas infrastructure
For purposes of the statewide education property tax in chapter 135 of this title, the Director shall determine the appraised value of all property and fixtures composing and underlying a petroleum or natural gas facility, petroleum or natural gas transmission line, or petroleum or natural gas distribution line located entirely within this State. The Director shall value such property at its fair market value, an assessment it shall reach by the cost approach to value by employing an actual cost-based methodology, adjusting that actual cost using a cost factor from industry-specific inflation indexes, and depreciating the resulting present cost using a depreciation schedule based on the property’s estimated remaining life; provided, however, that after the property has been depreciated to 30 percent of its present cost or less, exclusive of salvage value, the property shall be appraised at 30 percent of its cost. The Director shall inform the local assessing officials of his or her appraised value under this section on or before May 1 of each year, and the local assessing officials shall use the Director’s appraised value for purposes of assessing and collecting the statewide education property tax under chapter 135 of this title. (Added 2013, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 32, eff. Jan. 1, 2015.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 123 - How, Where, and to Whom Property Is Taxed › § 3652. Mortgagor deemed owner

§ 3652. Mortgagor deemed owner
When real estate is mortgaged, the mortgagor shall be deemed the owner thereof for the purpose of taxation, until the mortgagee takes possession, after which the mortgagee shall be deemed the owner.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 123 - How, Where, and to Whom Property Is Taxed › § 3653. Unoccupied and owner unknown

§ 3653. Unoccupied and owner unknown
When the owner of unoccupied real estate is unknown to the listers, it shall be set in the list in the name of the original grantee or by such other description as in their judgment will best designate it. When a division of the original rights of grantees is made in whole or in part, each lot of every division shall be set apart in the list from other lots of the same right.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 123 - How, Where, and to Whom Property Is Taxed › § 3654. Undivided estate of deceased person

§ 3654. Undivided estate of deceased person
Undivided real estate of a deceased person shall be assessed to such person’s estate or to his or her executor or administrator, or to the possessor thereof, until notice is given to the listers of the sale or division of the same and the names of the persons to whom it is transferred. When such estate is assessed to the estate, the executor or administrator shall pay the taxes assessed.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 123 - How, Where, and to Whom Property Is Taxed › § 3655. Facilities not within town limits

§ 3655. Facilities not within town limits
For the purpose of taxation:
(1) Wharves erected in Lake Champlain and not within the limits of a town shall be considered as being in the towns adjoining such wharves.
(2) Utility lines, including submarine cables or pipelines, constructed or maintained in Lake Champlain and not otherwise within the limits of the towns of South Hero and Grand Isle shall be considered as being in whichever of those towns adjoin those facilities as if the northerly and southerly lines of those towns were extended easterly and westerly to the county lines. (Amended 1961, No. 244, eff. July 26, 1961.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 123 - How, Where, and to Whom Property Is Taxed › § 3659. Municipal lands

§ 3659. Municipal lands
Land and buildings of a municipal corporation, whether acquired by purchase or condemnation and situated outside its territorial limits shall be taxed by the municipality in which such land is situated. Said land shall be set to such municipal corporation in the grand list of the town or city in which such real estate is located at the value fixed in the appraisal next preceding the date of acquisition of such property and taxed on such valuation. The value fixed on such property at each appraisal thereafter shall be the same per acre as the value fixed on similar property in the town or city. Improvements made subsequent to the acquisition of the land shall not be taxed; except that an additional tax not to exceed 75 percent of the appraisal of the land may be levied in lieu of a personal property tax. Electric utility poles, lines, and pole fixtures owned by a municipal utility lying beyond its boundaries shall be taxed at appraisal value as defined in section 3481 of this title. (Amended 1957, No. 219, § 2, eff. July 1, 1961; 1985, No. 169 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 5, 1986; 1987, No. 195 (Adj. Sess.), eff. April 1, 1988.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 123 - How, Where, and to Whom Property Is Taxed › § 3691. General rule

§ 3691. General rule
Taxable tangible personal estate shall be set in the list to the last owner thereof on April 1 in each year, in the town, village, school, and fire district where such property is situated, with the exception that such personal estate situated within this State owned by persons residing outside the State or by persons unknown to the listers shall be set in the list to the person having the same in charge, in the town, village, school, and fire district where the same is situated and shall be holden for all taxes assessed on such list. However, tangible personal estate owned by nonresident persons or corporation, and used in this State by the State or a department or institution thereof, under lease, contract or other agreement, written or oral, may be set in the list in the town where so used, to such nonresident owner.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 123 - How, Where, and to Whom Property Is Taxed › § 3692. Taxation of boats, outboard motors, and trailer coaches

§ 3692. Taxation of boats, outboard motors, and trailer coaches
(a) Except as otherwise provided, snowmobiles, trailer coaches as defined by 23 V.S.A. § 4 registered yearly for use on the highways and designed and used for recreational purposes except as provided by subsection (b) of this section, canoes, skiffs, sailboats, motor or power boats, boats, outboard motors, or any combination of boat and outboard motor, shall be taxed as personal property only when held as stock in trade, manufacturer’s inventory, or when used for income producing purposes, and in such cases shall be set in the list in accordance with section 3691 of this title.
(b) A trailer coach shall be taxed as real property by the town in which it is located notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section if it is situated in the town on the same trailer site or camp site for more than 180 days during the 365 days prior to April 1. A trailer coach shall not be taxed as real property if it is stored on property on which the owner resides in another dwelling as a permanent residence. (Amended 1959, No. 70, eff. April 1, 1959; 1961, No. 127, eff. April 1, 1961; 1971, No. 73, § 5, eff. for tax years beginning after December 31, 1970; 1983, No. 162 (Adj. Sess.), eff. April 20, 1984.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 123 - How, Where, and to Whom Property Is Taxed › § 3701. Definitions

§ 3701. Definitions
As used in this subchapter:
(1) “State-owned property” means
(A) State-owned buildings, including buildings of the Vermont State Colleges that are tax-exempt under 16 V.S.A. § 2178; buildings of the University of Vermont and State Agricultural College used for educational and not commercial purposes; and buildings of the Agency of Transportation and the Department of the Military; but excluding the value of land on which the buildings are located, and excluding all highways and bridges and any land pertaining to them; and
(B) State-owned lands that pertain to State correctional facilities.
(2) “Assessed value of State buildings” means the estimation of the current cost of replacing a building, maintained for insurance purposes by the State agency or other entity responsible for insuring the building, depreciated by the age and condition of the building.
(3) “Assessed value of State lands” means the fair market value of lands that pertain to State correctional facilities, as determined by the Division of Property Valuation and Review, subject to the provision of subsection 3704(b) of this title.
(4) “Adjusted municipal grand list” means the total assessed value of any State-owned property located in a municipality, multiplied by the common level of appraisal for the municipality as determined by the Division of Property Valuation and Review, multiplied by one percent, and added to the grand list of the municipality as determined pursuant to chapter 129 of this title.
(5) “Adjusted municipal tax rate” means the total sum of money voted by a municipality for all noneducational expenses pursuant to 17 V.S.A. § 2664 or 24 V.S.A. § 1309, divided by the adjusted municipal grand list of the municipality.
(6) “Municipality” means an incorporated city, town, village, or unorganized town, grant, or gore in which a tax is assessed for noneducational purposes. (Added 1997, No. 60, § 53; amended 1997, No. 71 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 23, 24, eff. July 1, 1997; 1999, No. 1, § 106a, eff. March 31, 1999; 2005, No. 207 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; 2021, No. 105 (Adj. Sess.), § 515, eff. July 1, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 123 - How, Where, and to Whom Property Is Taxed › § 3702. Payment of grants authorized

§ 3702. Payment of grants authorized
The Secretary of Administration shall determine annually the amount of payment due, as a State grant in lieu of property taxes, to each municipality in the State in which is located any State-owned property, in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter. (Added 1997, No. 60, § 53.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 123 - How, Where, and to Whom Property Is Taxed › § 3703. Grant formula

§ 3703. Grant formula
(a) The amount of a grant to a municipality authorized by this subchapter shall be based on the total assessed value of any State-owned property located in the municipality, multiplied by the common level of appraisal for the municipality as determined by the Division of Property Valuation and Review, multiplied by one percent, and multiplied by the adjusted municipal tax rate for the municipality in which the property is located.
(b) [Repealed.]
(c) The total of any grants under subsection (a) of this section for buildings owned by the University of Vermont and State Agricultural College shall be limited to a maximum of $750,000.00.
(d) [Repealed.]
(e) The Secretary of Administration shall have authority to reduce any payments under this subchapter to avoid multiple payments to a municipality in the same year in lieu of taxes with respect to the same property. (Added 1997, No. 60, § 53; amended 1997, No. 71 (Adj. Sess.), § 26, eff. July 1, 1997; 1999, No. 1, § 106b, eff. March 31, 1999.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 123 - How, Where, and to Whom Property Is Taxed › § 3704. Determination of assessed values; appeal

§ 3704. Determination of assessed values; appeal
(a) Prior to August 1, 1997, and to May 1 of each taxable year thereafter, the Secretary of Administration shall provide assessed values of State buildings and lands, as defined under this subchapter, to every municipality to which a grant is payable under this subchapter.
(b) Any municipality aggrieved by the action of the Secretary under this section may, within 30 days of receipt of the assessed values, appeal to the Superior Court of the district in which the municipality is located. (Added 1997, No. 60, § 53.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 123 - How, Where, and to Whom Property Is Taxed › § 3705. Adjusted municipal grand list and adjusted municipal tax rate

§ 3705. Adjusted municipal grand list and adjusted municipal tax rate
(a) Prior to October 1 in each taxable year, the Division of Property Valuation and Review shall provide the Secretary of Administration with the following:
(1) the adjusted municipal grand list for the prior assessment year, with the assessed values of all State-owned property shown separately, together with a statement of the common level of appraisal used to weight the assessed values of State-owned property;
(2) the adjusted municipal tax rate to be used in assessing taxes on the prior adjusted municipal grand list; and
(3) the total sum of money voted by the municipality for all noneducational expenses, pursuant to 17 V.S.A. § 2664.
(b) Prior to issuing a grant under this subchapter, the Secretary of Administration may substitute his or her calculations of the adjusted municipal grand list or the adjusted municipal tax rate for a municipality if the Secretary finds that those calculations provided by the municipality under this section are in error or are inconsistent with assessed values as determined pursuant to section 3704 of this title. (Added 1997, No. 60, § 53; amended 1997, No. 71 (Adj. Sess.), § 25, eff. July 1, 1997.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 123 - How, Where, and to Whom Property Is Taxed › § 3706. Payment to municipalities

§ 3706. Payment to municipalities
Grants under this subchapter shall be made annually by the Secretary of Administration to each eligible municipality on or before December 1, 1997, and on or before October 31 in years thereafter. Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed or permitted to affect the tax exempt status of the University of Vermont and State Agricultural College, as provided by statute and guaranteed by that institution’s charter. (Added 1997, No. 60, § 53.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 123 - How, Where, and to Whom Property Is Taxed › § 3709. PILOT Special Fund

§ 3709. PILOT Special Fund
(a) There is hereby established a PILOT Special Fund consisting of local option tax revenues paid to the Treasurer pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 138. This Fund shall be managed by the Commissioner of Taxes pursuant to chapter 7, subchapter 5 of this title. Notwithstanding subdivision 588(3) of this title, all interest earned on the Fund shall be retained in the Fund for use in meeting future obligations. The Fund shall be exclusively for payments required under chapter 123, subchapter 4 of this title, and for any additional State payments in lieu of taxes for correctional facilities and to the City of Montpelier. The Commissioner of Finance and Management may draw warrants for disbursements from this Fund in anticipation of receipts.
(b) If the PILOT Special Fund is insufficient to pay the full amount of all payments in lieu of taxes under subchapter 4 of this chapter, then, after application of the cap in subsection 3703(c) of this title, payments determined under section 3703 of this subchapter shall be reduced proportionately. (Added 2005, No. 215 (Adj. Sess.), § 287; amended 2007, No. 192 (Adj. Sess.), § 6.011.1, eff. June 7, 2008.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 124 - Agricultural Lands and Forestlands › § 3750. Statutory purposes

§ 3750. Statutory purposes
The statutory purpose of the Vermont Use Value Appraisal Program in chapter 124 of this title is to preserve the working landscape, preserve the rural character of Vermont, and protect the natural ecological systems and natural resources of the forestland of Vermont. (Added 2013, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 14; amended 2021, No. 146 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. July 1, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 124 - Agricultural Lands and Forestlands › § 3751. Statement of purpose

§ 3751. Statement of purpose
The purpose of this subchapter is to encourage and assist the maintenance of Vermont’s productive agricultural land and forestland; to encourage and assist in their conservation and preservation for future productive use and for the protection of natural ecological systems and services, including air and water quality, wildlife habitat and wildlife corridors, enhanced biodiversity, and forest health and integrity; to prevent the accelerated conversion of these lands to more intensive use by the pressure of property taxation at values incompatible with the productive capacity of the land; to achieve more equitable taxation for undeveloped lands; to encourage and assist in the preservation and enhancement of Vermont’s scenic natural resources; to assist in climate adaptation and mitigation; and to enable the citizens of Vermont to plan its orderly growth in the face of increasing development pressures in the interests of the public health, safety, and welfare. (Added 1977, No. 236 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2021, No. 105 (Adj. Sess.), § 518, eff. July 1, 2022; amended 2021, No. 146 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. July 1, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 124 - Agricultural Lands and Forestlands › § 3753. Current Use Advisory Board; members; Chair

§ 3753. Current Use Advisory Board; members; Chair
(a) There is hereby established a Current Use Advisory Board.
(b) The membership of the Board shall consist of:
(1) The following persons or their designees:
(A) Commissioner of Taxes;
(B) Director of the Division of Property Valuation and Review;
(C) Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets;
(D) Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation;
(E) [Repealed.]
(F) [Repealed.]
(2) Eight additional members to be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. Two of these members shall represent the private agricultural sector, two shall represent the private forestry sector, one shall be experienced in agricultural and forestry property appraisal and valuation techniques, one shall be a representative of local government, one shall be a selectboard member, and one shall be a lister. Fifty-one percent or more of the Board membership shall be persons who do not own enrolled land and have no spouse, child, or parent who owns enrolled land. These members shall be appointed for three-year terms, beginning February first of the year in which the appointment is made, except that the initial appointment of three of the members shall be for a two-year term. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the unexpired portion of the term vacated.
(c) A Chair shall be designated biennially by the Governor from among the members of the Board and any vacancy in the office of Chair shall be filled by designation of the Governor.
(d) Members of the Board who are not State employees shall be paid $50.00 a day, each, for each day that they are actually engaged in the work of the Board. All members shall be paid their actual expenses incurred as a result of that work.
(e) The Board shall be attached for administrative purposes to the Division of Property Valuation and Review of the Department of Taxes of the Agency of Administration. (Added 1977, No. 236 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1985, No. 74, § 297; 1987, No. 57, § 2, eff. May 16, 1987; 1987, No. 130 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 1989, No. 256 (Adj. Sess.), § 10(a), eff. Jan. 1, 1991; 1997, No. 60, § 67, eff. June 26, 1997; 2003, No. 42, § 2, eff. May 27, 2003; 2011, No. 143 (Adj. Sess.), § 46, eff. May 15, 2012.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 124 - Agricultural Lands and Forestlands › § 3754. Powers and duties of Board

§ 3754. Powers and duties of Board
(a) The Board shall meet at least annually, prior to February 1, to review all past current use land values for agricultural land and managed forestland recommended by past boards, to review the criteria for lands previously established, and to establish new criteria and values as legislation and land management practices may indicate, to establish a schedule of criteria and values to be recommended for the current tax year, and to recommend such changes and improvement in the administration of this subchapter as experience and public reaction may recommend. The Board’s criteria and recommended values may reflect the class, type, grade, and location of the land, together with its productive capacity and the income-producing capability of agricultural land and forestland.
(b) Annually, on or before October 15, the Board shall hold a public hearing and such other hearings as they deem necessary to receive public testimony on the criteria and values for use value appraisals in the coming tax year and on the administration of this subchapter.
(c) Prior to February 15 each year, the Board shall submit to the Director its recommended schedule of criteria and values for use value appraisals for the current tax year. The Director shall then distribute the valuations to all municipalities, towns, and gores, and the assessing officials shall appraise qualifying agricultural and managed forestland at these use values.
(d) The Board may adopt rules under the authority granted to agencies by 3 V.S.A. chapter 25, subchapter 1 to interpret and carry out the provisions of this subchapter.
(e) A member of the Board shall not vote on any issue on which the member, or when applicable the member’s agency, has a conflict of interest. (Added 1977, No. 236 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1983, No. 220 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 3, 14; 1987, No. 57, § 3, eff. May 16, 1987; 2015, No. 134 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. May 25, 2016; 2021, No. 105 (Adj. Sess.), § 520, eff. July 1, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 124 - Agricultural Lands and Forestlands › § 3758. Appeals

§ 3758. Appeals
(a) Whenever the Director denies in whole or in part any application for classification as agricultural land or managed forestland or farm buildings, or grants a different classification than that applied for, or the Director or assessing officials fix a use value appraisal or determine that previously classified property is no longer eligible or that the property has undergone a change in use, the aggrieved owner may appeal the decision of the Director to the Commissioner within 30 days of the decision, and from there to Superior Court in the county in which the property is located.
(b) Any owner who is aggrieved by the determination of the fair market value of classified land for the purpose of computing the land use change tax may appeal in the same manner as an appeal of a grand list valuation.
(c) Whenever the Director denies a request for an exemption from the terms of the definition of a “farmer” as provided in subsection 3756(j) of this title, the aggrieved person may appeal the decision of the Director to the Commissioner within 30 days of the decision, and from there to the Superior Court in the county in which the property is located.
(d) Any owner who is aggrieved by a decision of the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation concerning the filing of an adverse inspection report, a denial of approval of a management plan, or a certification to the Director with respect to land for which a wastewater permit is issued may appeal to the Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation within 60 days of the filing of the adverse inspection report, the decision to deny approval, or the certification to the Director. An appeal of this decision of the Commissioner may be taken to the Superior Court in the same manner and under the same procedures as an appeal from a decision of a Board of Civil Authority, as set forth in chapter 131, subchapter 2 of this title.
(e) When the Director removes agricultural land or a farm building pursuant to notification from the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets under section 3756 of this title, the exclusive right of appeal shall be as provided in 6 V.S.A. § 4996(a). (Added 1977, No. 236 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1983, No. 220 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 11, 12; 1987, No. 57, § 7, eff. July 1, 1988; 1987, No. 130 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 1995, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 290; 2007, No. 190 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. June 6, 2008; 2011, No. 143 (Adj. Sess.), § 43, retroactively eff. July 1, 2011; 2013, No. 73, §§ 13, 14; 2015, No. 64, § 24.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 124 - Agricultural Lands and Forestlands › § 3760. Payment to municipalities

§ 3760. Payment to municipalities
(a)(1) Annually, the State shall pay to each municipality the amount necessary to limit its tax rate increase in the prior year due to the loss of municipal property tax revenue for that year based on use value of enrolled property as compared to municipal property tax revenue for that year based on fair market value of enrolled property, to zero.
(2) The Director of Property Valuation and Review shall determine the amount of the available funds under this section to be paid to each municipality, and a municipality may appeal the Director’s decision in the same manner and under the same procedures as an appeal from a decision of a Board of Civil Authority, as set forth in chapter 131, subchapter 2 of this title.
(3) On November 1 of each year, the Director of Property Valuation and Review shall pay to each municipality the amount calculated as described in this section. If the appropriation for the year is insufficient to pay the full amount due to every municipality under this subsection, payments in that year shall be made to such towns proportionately.
(4) If the appropriation for the year is insufficient to pay the full amount due to any municipality for enrolled property owned by another municipality, the municipality in which the property is located may assess the other municipality and the other municipality shall pay the difference.
(5) The Director’s calculation of payment amounts to municipalities shall be based on grand list values and total tax appropriations as submitted to the Director for the prior year.
(b) Assessing officials shall appraise property enrolled in the program at fair market value consistent with other appraisals. On or before July 5, the assessing officials shall provide the Director with the listed value of all enrolled property in the municipality. If the Director certifies that the value set by the assessing officials is significantly above the fair market value or is not equitable with other assessments, the Director’s estimate of the fair market value shall be substituted for that of the assessing officials.
(c) A town aggrieved by the Director’s decision under this section may appeal that decision under the same procedures as an appeal from a decision of the Board of Civil Authority. (Added 1995, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 292a; amended 1997, No. 60, § 63, eff. June 26, 1997; 2003, No. 66, § 287; 2007, No. 205 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. June 10, 2008.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 124 - Agricultural Lands and Forestlands › § 3760a. Valuation audits

§ 3760a. Valuation audits
(a) Annually, the Director shall conduct an audit of three towns with enrolled land to ensure that parcels with a use value appraisal are appraised by the local assessing officials consistent with the appraisals for nonenrolled parcels.
(b) In determining which towns to select for an audit, the Director shall consider factors that demonstrate a deviation from consistent valuations, including the following:
(1) the fair market value per acre of enrolled land in each town;
(2) the fair market value of enrolled land versus unenrolled land in the same town;
(3) the fair market value of enrolled farm buildings in each town; and
(4) the fair market value of enrolled farm buildings in relation to the fair market value of the associated land.
(c) For each town selected for an audit, the Director shall:
(1) conduct an independent appraisal of enrolled parcels and enrolled farm buildings in that town;
(2) compare the appraisals reached by the Director for each enrolled parcel with the appraisal reached by the local assessing officials; and
(3) review the land schedule and appraisal model applied by the town.
(d) If, as a result of an audit, the Director determines that an appraisal reached by the Director differs from the appraisal reached by the local assessing officials by more than 10 percent, then the Director shall substitute his or her appraisal of fair market value for the appraisal reached by the local assessing officials. A substitution of a fair market appraisal under this subsection shall be treated as a substitution by the Director under subsection 3760(b) of this title. (Added 2015, No. 57, § 56, eff. June 11, 2015.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 124 - Agricultural Lands and Forestlands › § 3761. Notice to property taxpayers

§ 3761. Notice to property taxpayers
Each year prior to June 1, the Director shall prepare a notice of the Current Use Value Appraisal Program established by this subchapter describing its pertinent provisions, the manner in which taxpayers may apply to participate, and the dates and deadlines for application. Such notice shall be printed by the Director and supplied in sufficient number to each town in the State for inclusion in property tax bills. The town Treasurer or collector of taxes shall include such notice in each tax bill, where applicable. Towns that use envelopes or mailers not able to accommodate notices describing the Current Use Value Appraisal Program may distribute such notices in an alternative manner. (Added 1985, No. 212 (Adj. Sess.), eff. June 2, 1986; amended 1995, No. 29, § 5, eff. April 14, 1995.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 124 - Agricultural Lands and Forestlands › § 3763. Public records

§ 3763. Public records
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in 1 V.S.A. § 317, section 3102 of this title, or any other provision of law, the names and addresses of taxpayers, the description of eligible property, the current use valuation of such property participating in the Current Use Value Appraisal Program under this chapter and the amount reimbursed by the State to the town with respect to the eligible property shall be public records subject to public inspection and copying under 1 V.S.A. chapter 5, subchapter 3. (Added 1985, No. 242 (Adj. Sess.), § 311; amended 1995, No. 169 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. May 15, 1996.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 124 - Agricultural Lands and Forestlands › § 3776. Fee hunting prohibition

§ 3776. Fee hunting prohibition
(a) As of September 1, 1997, no person may charge or receive a fee, consideration or other thing of value in exchange for the right to hunt or fish on land enrolled in a Use Value Appraisal Program under this chapter.
(b) Upon a finding by the Secretary that there has been a violation of the provisions of this section, the land in question shall be removed from the Use Value Appraisal Program. Upon development, the land shall be subject to the land use change tax. (Added 1997, No. 60, § 68, eff. June 26, 1997.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 125 - Exemptions › § 3802a. Requirement to provide insurance information

§ 3802a. Requirement to provide insurance information
Before April 1 of each year, owners of property exempt from taxation under subdivisions 3802(4), (6), (9), (12), and (15) and under subdivisions 5401(10)(D), (F), (G), and (J) of this title shall provide their local assessing officials with information regarding the insurance replacement cost of the exempt property or with a written explanation of why the property is not insured. (Added 2013, No. 73, § 29, eff. June 5, 2013; amended 2021, No. 105 (Adj. Sess.), § 524, eff. July 1, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 125 - Exemptions › § 3803. Exemptions from local taxation

§ 3803. Exemptions from local taxation
Except as otherwise provided, the following property shall not be set in the grand list to the owner thereof:
(1) real and personal estate used in operating a railroad, and appraised under sections 8281–8286 and 8321–8322 of this title, including the section of the North Stratford, New Hampshire, to Beecher Falls, Vermont, railroad line owned by the State of New Hampshire and situated in the Town of Canaan exempted from taxation under section 8286 of this title;
(2) real and personal estate, except land and buildings, used in carrying on telephone business or in operating a transportation company in this State; and
(3) money, stocks, bonds, mortgages, and other evidences of indebtedness. (Amended 1989, No. 222 (Adj. Sess.), § 33, eff. May 31, 1990; 1997, No. 156 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 29, 1998; 2021, No. 105 (Adj. Sess.), § 525, eff. July 1, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 125 - Exemptions › § 3831. College, university, or fraternity property

§ 3831. College, university, or fraternity property
(a) Any real property acquired after April 1, 1941, by any college, university, or fraternity such as would be exempt from taxation under the provisions of section 3802 of this title shall be set to such institution in the grand list of the town or city in which such real property is located at the value fixed in the appraisal next preceding the date of acquisition of such property and taxed on such valuation. However, the voters of any town or city may at any legal meeting thereof vote to exempt such property from taxation, either in whole or in part. Except as provided under subsection (c) of this section, the value fixed on such property at such appraisal shall not be increased so long as the property is owned and used by such institution for other than commercial and investment purposes, whether or not improvements are made thereon.
(b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not exempt from county, town, or school taxes lands owned by a college and leased “as long as wood grows and water runs,” securing to the lessees the right of preemption, unless such lands were chartered as sequestered for the benefit of the college or became the property of the college prior to the organization of the town in which they lie.
(c) In the event of a general reappraisal of all property in the municipality completed after 1982, the appraisal value of property subject to subsection (a) of this section shall first be changed to an amount that yields a tax liability (computed with reference to the tax rate applicable to the first tax year based on the reappraisal) equal to the tax liability for such property for the tax year immediately preceding the reappraisal, provided that in the event the tax liability imposed on the majority of all taxable properties in the municipality increases in the first tax year based on the reappraisal, then any appraisal value of property subject to subsection (a) of this section shall be further changed to an amount that yields the tax liability computed above adjusted by the average percentage increase or decrease in the tax liability of all taxable properties in the municipality.
(d) As used in this section, the term “fraternity” shall also mean “sorority.” (Amended 1957, No. 219, § 2, eff. July 1, 1961; 1987, No. 215 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 27, 1988.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 125 - Exemptions › § 3832. Public, pious, and charitable uses

§ 3832. Public, pious, and charitable uses
The exemption from taxation of real and personal estate granted, sequestered, or used for public, pious, or charitable uses shall not be construed as exempting:
(1) real and personal property held in trust for a municipal corporation by virtue of a trust that takes effect after May 20, 1959 when the property is located outside the town where the municipal corporation has its principal place of business, unless the town or municipality in which the property is located so votes at any regular or special meeting duly warned therefor;
(2) real estate owned or kept by a religious society other than a church edifice, a parsonage, the outbuildings of the church edifice or parsonage, a building used as a convent, school, orphanage, home, or hospital, land adjacent to any of the buildings named in this subdivision, kept and used as a parking lot not used to produce income, lawn, playground, or garden, and the so-called glebe lands;
(3) property of railroad corporations;
(4) a municipal electric light plant when located outside the town wherein the municipality owning it is situated;
(5) real and personal property held by the State and located in any town other than that in which the institution of which it forms a part is located;
(6) real and personal property owned or kept by an orphanage, home, or hospital, including a diagnostic and treatment center not used for the purpose of such institution but leased to others for income or profit, whether or not the institution is conducted by or connected with a religious society, unless the town or municipality in which the property is located so votes at any regular or special meeting duly warned therefor; or
(7) real and personal property of an organization when the property is used primarily for health or recreational purposes, unless the town or municipality in which the property is located so votes at any regular or special meeting duly warned therefor, and except for the following types of property:
(A) buildings and land owned and occupied by a health, recreation, and fitness organization that is:
(i) exempt from taxation under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3);
(ii) used its income entirely for its exempt purpose; and
(iii) promotes exercise and healthy lifestyles for the community and serve citizens of all income levels; and
(B) real and personal property operated as a skating rink, owned and operated on a nonprofit basis, but not necessarily by the same entity, and that, in the most recent calendar year, provided facilities to local public schools for a sport officially recognized by the Vermont Principals’ Association. (Amended 1959, No. 187; 1965, No. 71; 2013, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 55, eff. Jan. 1, 2015; 2017, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 187.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 125 - Exemptions › § 3834. Factories; quarries; mines

§ 3834. Factories; quarries; mines
If the amount invested exceeds $1,000.00, manufacturing establishments, quarries, mines, and such machinery, tramways, appliances, and buildings as are necessary for use in the business, machinery placed in an unoccupied building to be used in such business, and capital and personal property used in such business may be exempted from taxation for a period not exceeding 10 years from the commencement of business if the town so votes.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 125 - Exemptions › § 3835. Reporting exemption

§ 3835. Reporting exemption
Within 10 days after the adjournment of any town meeting at which an exemption is granted under the provisions of section 3834 of this title, the town clerk shall report to the director, upon forms to be furnished by him or her, the date upon which such exemption was granted and the length of the term thereof. (Amended 1977, No. 105, § 14(a).)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 125 - Exemptions › § 3836. Homes and dwellings

§ 3836. Homes and dwellings
Annually at town meeting, a town may vote to exempt from taxes the first $75,000.00 or a smaller amount of the appraised value of buildings used and occupied exclusively as homes, dwelling houses, or farm buildings whether for sale or rent, provided such buildings have been constructed or put in the process of construction during the 12 months immediately preceding the meeting or are to be constructed or put in the process of construction during the 12 months immediately following the meeting. The duration of such exemption shall not exceed three years, to be determined by the vote. The exemption shall first be applicable against the grand list of the year in which the vote is taken. (Amended 1961, No. 255, eff. July 31, 1961; 2003, No. 76 (Adj. Sess.), § 31.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 125 - Exemptions › § 3838. Hotels

§ 3838. Hotels
At an annual or special meeting, a town may vote to exempt, for a period not exceeding five years at a time, real and personal estate used and occupied for hotel purposes. When a majority of those voting on the question of such exemption at an annual meeting vote in favor thereof, such vote shall not be valid unless it shall appear that the total grand list of such majority is equal to at least one-half of the total grand list of those voting on such question. When a majority of those voting on the question of such exemption at a special meeting vote in favor thereof, such vote shall not be valid unless it shall appear that such majority is equal in number to one-third of the total number of legal voters in such town, nor unless it shall appear that the total grand list of such majority is equal to at least one-half of the total grand list of those voting on such question.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 125 - Exemptions › § 3839. Municipally owned lakeshore property

§ 3839. Municipally owned lakeshore property
(a) Notwithstanding section 3659 of this title, a town may vote to exempt from its municipal taxes, in whole or in part, any parcel of land, but not buildings, that provides public access to public waters, as defined in 10 V.S.A. § 1422(6), and that is also:
(1) owned by the Town of Hardwick, and located in Greensboro, Vermont; or
(2) owned by the Town of Thetford, and located in Fairlee and West Fairlee, Vermont.
(b) An exemption voted by a town under subsection (a) of this section shall be for up to ten years. Upon the expiration of the exemption, a town may vote additional periods of exemption not exceeding five years each. (Added 2013, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 56.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 125 - Exemptions › § 3840. Charitable and fraternal organizations

§ 3840. Charitable and fraternal organizations
When a society or body of persons associated for a charitable purpose, in whole or in part, including fraternal organizations, volunteer fire, and ambulance or rescue companies, owns real estate used exclusively for the purposes of such society, body, or organization, such real estate may be exempted from taxation, either in whole or in part, for a period not exceeding 10 years, if the town so votes. Upon the expiration of such exemption, a town may vote additional periods of exemption not exceeding five years each. (Amended 1961, No. 24, eff. March 17, 1961; 1975, No. 156 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 125 - Exemptions › § 3843. Housing projects for low- and moderate-income occupants

§ 3843. Housing projects for low- and moderate-income occupants
A municipality may vote at any regular or special meeting to exempt, in full or in part, for a term not to exceed 40 years, a federally subsidized low- or moderate-income housing project from education property tax if federal assistance would not be available in the absence of such an exemption. (Added 1969, No. 268 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. April 8, 1970; amended 2007, No. 190 (Adj. Sess.), § 6, eff. June 6, 2008.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 125 - Exemptions › § 3845. Renewable energy sources

§ 3845. Renewable energy sources
(a) At an annual or special meeting warned for that purpose, a town may, by a majority vote of those present and voting, exempt renewable energy sources, as defined herein, from real and personal property taxation. Such exemption shall first be applicable against the grand list of the year in which the vote is taken and shall continue until voted otherwise, in the same manner, by the town.
(b) As used in this section, renewable energy shall have the same meaning as in 30 V.S.A. § 8002 for energy used on the premises for private, domestic, or agricultural purposes, no part of which may be for sale or exchange to the public. The term shall include grist mills, windmills, facilities for the collection of solar energy or the conversion of organic matter to methane, net-metering systems regulated by the Public Utility Commission under 30 V.S.A. § 8010, and all component parts thereof, but excluding land upon which the facility is located. (Added 1975, No. 226 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 2007, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 23; 2013 No. 99 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. Jan. 1, 2017; 2013, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 28, eff. Jan. 1, 2015.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 125 - Exemptions › § 3846. Farmland appraisal contracts

§ 3846. Farmland appraisal contracts
(a) As used in this section:
(1) “Farmland” means real estate that is actively and exclusively devoted to farming and that is at least 25 acres in area and is operated or leased as a farm enterprise by the owner.
(2) “Forestland” means any land, exclusive of any housesite, which is at least 25 acres in size and which is under active forest management for the purpose of growing and harvesting repeated forest crops.
(3) “Owner” of farmland or forestland means the record holder of the legal title (with closed leaseland, of the perpetual leasehold interest therein) individually, jointly with a member of his or her family, or as a member of a partnership all members of which are actively engaged in agriculture in Vermont.
(b) The legislative body of a municipality may negotiate tax stabilization contracts with the owners of farmland or forestland pursuant to the provisions of 24 V.S.A. § 2741, except that to negotiate such contracts the legislative body of the municipality shall be deemed to have the authorization of the municipality under 24 V.S.A. § 2741(b).
(c) Any tax stabilization contract negotiated without the approval of a vote of the municipality under subsection (b) of this section shall provide that each appropriate taxing jurisdiction in which the property is located, including municipalities and school districts, shall compute the difference between the taxes due on such land under a farmland or forestland stabilization contract and the amount of taxes that would have been owed on such land at a fair market value appraisal. In the event of a conversion of the land from farmland or forestland to another use in breach of the contract, the sum of the differences between these two amounts of taxes for the previous three years shall be paid by the owner of the land under contract to the municipality within 30 days of the conversion. The contract shall constitute a lien in favor of the municipality against the property subject to the contract for payment of any amounts due the municipality under this subsection.
(d) Whenever the assessing officials deny in whole or in part any application for classification as farmland or forest land or grant a different classification than that applied for, or fix an erroneous use value appraisal for eligible land, the aggrieved owner may appeal the decision in accordance with the provisions set forth in chapter 131 of this title. The appeal shall be heard in the same manner and under the same procedures as other appeals relating to real property appraisals and taxation. (Added 1977, No. 105, § 24.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 32 - Taxation and Finance › Chapter 125 - Exemptions › § 3847. Neighborhood housing improvement programs

§ 3847. Neighborhood housing improvement programs
At an annual or special meeting, a municipality may vote to exempt, for a period not exceeding five years, the property tax on the value of improvements made to principal dwelling units with funds provided in whole or in part by a nonprofit, neighborhood, or municipal housing improvement program that limits eligibility to residents with incomes below the median income of the State. Such programs include neighborhood housing services, Community Loan Funds, community land trusts, neighborhood planning associations, and municipal housing improvement programs. (Added 1989, No. 23.)