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Publications and Information
on local land use planning and regulation

Handbooks, manuals, templates, check-sheets and other tools with information on local land use planning and bylaw adoption, development regulation and review, and the state rules (24 V.S.A. Chapter 117) that govern these activities.


 
For ALL Local Boards, Commissions and Staff:
For Planning Commissions:
For Development Review / Zoning Boards and other Appropriate Municipal Panels:
For Zoning Administrators:
Also visit the Chapter 117 page
For information on State rules governing local land use planning and regulation.
 


You can scroll down through the full list below...


Welcome Packet for New Board and Commission Members

Provides an easy-to-read overview of the local planning and regulatory processes and the roles and responsibilities of the various players - just what new members need before stepping into their first board or commission meetings.

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Essentials of Land Use Planning and Regulation

Provides an overview of municipal roles and responsibilities and the fundamentals of local planning and permitting in Vermont - what every board and commission member needs to know. Includes audio and visual materials.

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Full Statutory Language of Chapter 117, amended through 2004

Through Vermont Statutes Online. Note: both the new and previous language of Chapter 117 are provided under each section number. To distinguish between the two sets of language, see the date at the end of each section.


Also available, a booklet that includes the 2004 and previous Chapter 117 language with annotations, as well as related statutes relevant to local land use planning and regulation. Copies of this new and comprehensive statute book, known as the "red book," can be obtained from your Regional Planning Commission and from DHCA.

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Special Bulletins on the 2004 Chapter 117 Changes

These ten bulletins explain the 2004 changes to Chapter 117 and implications to planning, zoning, development review, housing, and more. The Vermont Land Use Education and Training Collaborative developed the bulletins to provide a comprehensive summary of the Chapter 117 changes.

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Planning Manual for Vermont Municipalities

Provides information that will help the planning commission with the complex task of developing the municipal plan, from designing the planning program to adopting the plan. Published by the VT Dept. of Housing and Community Affairs.

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Land Use Planning Implementation Manual

A package of 30 topic papers introducing a wide range of concepts, tools, and techniques for helping communities achieve their planning goals.

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Plan and Bylaw Adoption Tools

Forms and checklists for municipal plan and bylaw preparation and adoption. Addresses sections 4385 and 4441-4447 of 24 V.S.A Chapter 117.
Download options:
175 kb Word file
105 kb pdf file

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Sample Bylaws and Definitions

Addresses sections 4412, 4413, 4462, 4464 and 4471 of 24 V.S.A Chapter 117.
Download options:
166 kb Word file
106 kb pdf file

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Manual of Procedures for Administration and Enforcement of Vermont Zoning Bylaws

This document [Word 198 kb] provides sample language and commentary for updating the procedural sections of municipal zoning bylaws to meet the Chapter 117 requirements adopted in 2004.

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Rules of Procedure and Ethics Manual

All Appropriate Municipal Panels must adopt rules of procedure and conflict of interest policies as per 24 VSA Sec 4461(a). This manual includes two sample Rules of Procedures with accompanying Interested Persons Record Lists, plus an introductory section explaining them.
Download options:
242 kb Word file
140 kb pdf file

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Development Review Templates

Templates for development review hearing notices, findings of fact and decisions. Addresses sections 4461, 4462 and 4464 of 24 V.S.A Chapter 117.
Download options:
140 kb Word file
67 kb pdf file

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Zoning Administrators Handbook

The aim of this handbook is to provide the zoning administrator (or equivalent) with an understanding of some basic principles of zoning administration and enforcement and their application to a wide range of problems likely to be encountered.
Also includes a procedural flowchart of the permitting and appeals process.
Download options:
Handbook [286 kb pdf file]
Flowchart [85 kb pdf file]

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The "Big P" Permit Notice Poster

This notice form is meant to be posted at any project site to inform of permit issuance or announcement of a hearing date in comformance with sections 4449 and 4464 of Chapter 117. It has spaces for information on the type of permit, the appeal deadline and public hearing information. This poster is designed to be printed onto an 11"x17" piece of card stock paper.

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Vermont Zoning and Subdivision Law

This second edition of a guide to zoning law in Vermont covers the fundamentals of zoning law, while the accompanying footnotes offer detailed explanation and citations to relevant cases. It has been developed by Burak Anderson & Melloni, PLC.
It is a 370 kb pdf file.

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Citizen Participation Strategies for Municipal Planning in Vermont

A collection of factsheets covering several citizen participation tools and techniques for use by local land use officials, land use staff and other community leaders and groups.
Published by University of Vermont Extension and UVM Center for Rural Studies.

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Upcoming Publications

The Vermont Land Use Education and Training Collaborative is developing the following materials to assist local boards and commissions in performing their duties and complying with statutory requirements.

Estimated for completion...
  • February 2007: Implementation Manual - information and guidance on regulatory and non-regulatory strategies for implementing the municipal plan for Planning Commissions.
  • 2008: Development Review Materials - training manual, templates and other tools to assist in the local regulatory process.

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Further Information on the State's Land Use Planning and Regulation Rules

Other documents providing background information on state statutes in 24 V.S.A. Chapter 117 and the 2004 revisions can be found on the Vermont DEHCD website.

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