Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of Lyndon, Vermont

Town of Lyndon’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New buildings and other land development inside Lyndon town.

  • A town zoning permit is required before land development; the application identifies new buildings as development.

  “A permit is REQUIRED for any development that involves: *new buildings *lot subdivisions or line adjustments *building additions”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Lyndon town, Caledonia County, Vermont.

  • The town publishes current zoning bylaws and administers permits through its Zoning Administrator.

  “ZONING BYLAWS EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 6, 1996 | AS APPROVED BY THE VOTERS ON NOVEMBER 5, 1996”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Land inside Lyndon town.

  • The town's official zoning materials identify ten zoning districts and one overlay district.

  “10 zoning districts and one overlay district”

• Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Lots in Lyndon zoning districts, including residential districts.

  • Parking and loading areas, access roads, service areas, and other impermeable surfaces are excluded from lot coverage under the town's explanation.

  most zoning districts maximum lot coverage: 20 percent (Industrial Zone allows up to 25%; Village Commercial allows up to 100%.) · Industrial Zone maximum lot coverage: 25 percent · Village Commercial maximum lot coverage: 100 percent

  “Most zoning districts in Lyndon limit lot coverage to 20%, except for Industrial Zone which allows up to 25% lot coverage, and Village Commercial which allows up to 100% lot coverage.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Lot subdivisions and line adjustments inside Lyndon town.

  • A town permit is required for a lot subdivision or line adjustment.

  “A permit is REQUIRED for any development that involves: *new buildings *lot subdivisions or line adjustments *building additions”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Development in a river corridor or special flood hazard area inside Lyndon town.

  • Town permit requirement applies to any development in a river corridor or special flood hazards area.

  “A permit is REQUIRED for any development that involves: *new buildings *lot subdivisions or line adjustments *building additions *porches, decks, carports, etc. *accessory dwelling units *signs *change of use (ex. from single family to two-family or business use) *projects that increase parking or sewage needs *any development in a river corridor or special flood hazards area”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Lyndon zoning permits and related reviews.

  • The town's online permit FAQ publishes a $55 zoning application fee, $25 DRB review addition, $15 after-the-fact addition, and $15-per-lot subdivision addition. The older January 2023 application PDF displays a conflicting fee schedule and should be confirmed with the Zoning Administrator before payment.

  Zoning Permit Application Fee: 55 USD · Review by Development Review Board: 25 USD (Added fee.) · After the Fact Permits: 15 USD (Added fee.) · Subdivisions: per 15 USD (Per lot.)

  “Zoning Permit Application Fee: $55 Review by Development Review Board: ADD $25 “After the Fact” Permits: ADD $15 Subdivisions: ADD $15 per lot”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Town zoning permits for development inside Lyndon town.

  • A complete application requires an accurate plot plan drawn to scale, or a survey map for subdivisions. State law requires a 15-day appeal period after permit approval before construction may commence. The zoning application says an incomplete application is not processed.

  Administrative Officer decision or referral period: <= 30 days (Runs after a complete application is found.) · appeal period before construction: 15 days (After permit approval.)

  “If the application is found to be complete, the Administrative Officer will issue a decision or refer the application to the Development Review Board within 30 days. Incomplete applications will not be processed.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Lyndon

Town of Lyndon does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Residential projects inside Lyndon town.

  • The town directs that all residential projects comply with the Vermont Residential Building Standards (RBES).

  “All residential projects must comply with the Vermont Residential Building Standards (RBES). For MANDATORY RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CODE REQUIREMENTS: contact the Energy Code Assistance Center at (855)887-0673”

• Septic permitLimited

  Subdivision, construction, modification, or change in use involving wastewater systems inside Lyndon town.

  • The town states that a state Wastewater System and Potable Water Supply Permit may be required for the listed activity categories.

  “Wastewater System & Potable Water Supply Permit may be required”

• Driveway accessLimited

  Projects inside Lyndon town involving access to a state highway.

  • The requirement applies to projects involving access to a state highway.

  “A STATE HIGHWAY ACCESS PERMIT is required for all projects involveing access to a state highway: Contact VTrans Chief of Permitting Services, Craig Keller at (802)279-1152”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Lyndon or Caledonia County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residences inside Lyndon town.
• Inspections — Residential construction inside Lyndon town.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Lyndon town.
• Minimum lot size — Residential lots inside Lyndon town.
• Setbacks — Residential structures inside Lyndon town.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.