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

Town of Waterford’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Land development within Waterford town, including residential construction subject to the town zoning bylaw.

  • A zoning permit must be issued by the Zoning Administrator before land development commences.
  • Where required, wastewater/potable-water, shoreland, road-access, and Development Review Board approvals must be secured before a zoning application is accepted.

  “No land development shall commence unless a zoning permit has been duly issued by the Zoning Administrator, as provided for in §4443 of the Act.”

• InspectionsLimited

  Land or structures within Waterford's Special Flood Hazard Area or River Corridors seeking a certificate of compliance.

  • The Zoning Administrator inspects after a certificate-of-compliance application.
  • The inspection checks that Project Review Sheet permits were acquired and work conforms to the zoning permit and associated approvals.

  “Within 14 days of the receipt of the application for a certificate of compliance, the ZA shall inspect the premises to ensure that all permits identified on the Project Review Sheet have been acquired and all that all work has been completed in conformance with the zoning permit and associated approvals.”

• Certificate of occupancyLimited

  Use or occupancy of land or structures created, changed, converted, altered, or enlarged within Waterford's Special Flood Hazard Area or River Corridors.

  • A certificate is not required for structures built in compliance with the bylaws at construction and not improved since adoption of the bylaw.

  “In accordance with Chapter 117 §4449, it shall be unlawful to use or occupy, or permit the use or occupancy of any land or structure, or part thereof, created, erected, changed, converted, or wholly or partly altered or enlarged in its use or structure within Special Flood Hazard Area or River Corridors until a certificate of compliance is issued therefore by the Administrative Officer, stating that the proposed use of the structure or land conforms to the requirements of these bylaws.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land within Waterford town, Vermont.

  • The bylaw distinguishes permitted and conditional uses; uses not designated as either are prohibited.

  “In accordance with the Vermont Planning and Development Act, 24 VSA, § 4401, there is hereby established a zoning bylaw for the Town of Waterford which is set forth in the text and map that constitute this bylaw.”

• Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Industrial Commercial District in Waterford town.

  • Lots on a cul-de-sac turnaround must have at least 100 feet of frontage.

  minimum lot area: >= 2 acres · minimum area per dwelling unit: >= 2 acres

  “Lot area (acres)(3): 2.0 Front yard setback (ft.): 65 from center of road Area / dwelling unit (acres)(3): 2.0 Side yard setback (ft.): 35 Lot frontage (ft.)(4): 200 Rear yard setback (ft.): 35”

  2 more reviewed findings on this topic

  • District specific (with conditions) — White Village District in Waterford town.

    “Lot area (acres) (3): 2.0 Front yard setback (ft.): 65 from center of road Area / dwelling unit (acres) (3): 2.0 Side yard setback (ft.): 25 Lot frontage (ft.) (4): 200 Rear yard setback (ft.): 25”

  • District specific (with conditions) — Rural Residential District in Waterford town.

    “Lot area (acres) (3): 2.0 Front yard setback (ft.): 65 from center of road Area / dwelling unit (acres) (3): 2.0 Side yard setback (ft.): 25 Lot frontage (ft.) (4): 200 Rear yard setback (ft.): 25”

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Industrial Commercial District in Waterford town.

  front-yard setback: >= 65 feet from center of road · side-yard setback: >= 35 feet · rear-yard setback: >= 35 feet

  “Lot area (acres)(3): 2.0 Front yard setback (ft.): 65 from center of road Area / dwelling unit (acres)(3): 2.0 Side yard setback (ft.): 35 Lot frontage (ft.)(4): 200 Rear yard setback (ft.): 35”

  2 more reviewed findings on this topic

  • District specific (with conditions) — White Village District in Waterford town.

    “Lot area (acres) (3): 2.0 Front yard setback (ft.): 65 from center of road Area / dwelling unit (acres) (3): 2.0 Side yard setback (ft.): 25 Lot frontage (ft.) (4): 200 Rear yard setback (ft.): 25”

  • District specific (with conditions) — Rural Residential District in Waterford town.

    “Lot area (acres) (3): 2.0 Front yard setback (ft.): 65 from center of road Area / dwelling unit (acres) (3): 2.0 Side yard setback (ft.): 25 Lot frontage (ft.) (4): 200 Rear yard setback (ft.): 25”

• Building heightSpecified

  Structures in Waterford town.

  • Farm structures, church steeples, and telecommunication towers are excepted.
  • The DRB may approve greater height if it will not disrupt surroundings or create a hazard.

  maximum height: <= 40 feet above average ground level (Except farm structures, church steeples, and telecommunication towers unless DRB approves greater height.)

  “With the exception of farm structures, church steeples, and telecommunication towers, no structure shall exceed a height of 40 feet above the average ground level unless approved by the DRB.”

• Camping on your landLimited

  Primitive camps in Waterford town.

  • Primitive camps using outdoor privies must meet the bylaw's primitive-camp, parcel-size, setback, plumbing, and duration requirements.

  maximum annual habitation: <= 42 days (No more than 21 days continuously.)

  “Shall not be inhabited more than six weeks a year (42 days) and no more than three weeks (21 days) continuously.”

• Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

  Accessory dwelling units on qualifying owner-occupied parcels in Waterford town.

  • The ADU must be on the same parcel as an owner-occupied single-family dwelling in any land-use area, or with one- and two-family dwellings in the village use area.
  • The property must have sufficient wastewater capacity; size, setbacks, coverage, parking, and owner-occupancy conditions apply.

  maximum ADU size: <= 30 percent of total habitable floor area (Or 900 square feet, whichever is greater.) · alternative maximum ADU size: 900 square feet (Whichever is greater with 30 percent of total habitable floor area.)

  “An accessory dwelling unit that is located on the same parcel as an owner-occupied single-family dwelling in any land use area or one- and two-family dwellings in the village use area shall be a permitted use so long as the unit is in compliance with the following:”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  On-site septic systems for lots before building construction in Waterford town, except primitive camps.

  • The system must be designed by a certified engineer or state-certified site technician.
  • The designer must inspect and approve it before it is buried or covered and file verification with the town clerk.
  • Primitive camps are excepted.

  “The person or persons designing the system shall inspect and approve the system before it is buried or covered, and shall file a form verifying these facts with the town clerk.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Primitive camps using outdoor privies in Waterford town.

  • The camp must meet the state definition of primitive camp, have no plumbing more elaborate than a kitchen sink, and have restricted habitation duration.
  • The parcel must be at least 10 acres and the camp and outdoor privy must be at least 500 feet from all property lines.

  maximum annual habitation: <= 42 days (No more than 21 days continuously.) · minimum parcel area: >= 10 acres · minimum distance from property lines: >= 500 feet (Applies to both camp and outdoor privy.)

  “Primitive camps using outdoor privies are allowed under the following circumstances: A. Must meet the state definition of primitive camp. (1) Shall not have plumbing more elaborate than a kitchen sink. (2) Shall not be inhabited more than six weeks a year (42 days) and no more than three weeks (21 days) continuously. B. Must be located on a parcel not less than ten acres in area. C. The camp and outdoor privy shall be located at least 500 feet from all property lines.”

• Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

  Required agricultural and silvicultural practices and farm structures, excluding dwellings for human habitation, in Waterford town.

  • A person must notify the municipality of intent to build a farm structure and comply with Secretary of Agriculture-approved setbacks.
  • The exemption does not include a dwelling for human habitation.

  “A person shall notify a municipality of the intent to build a farm structure and shall abide by setbacks approved by the secretary of agriculture, food and markets. No municipal permit for a farm structure shall be required.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision applications within Waterford town.

  • Minor subdivisions are three or fewer lots meeting the stated criteria; major subdivisions include four or more lots and specified other developments.
  • A sketch plan is required for all major and minor subdivision applications.

  “A sketch plan is required for all major and minor subdivision applications, is highly recommended for lot line adjustments, and is optional for annexations.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Construction of a driveway or other private access to a public right-of-way in Waterford town.

  • Approval must be obtained from the Selectboard or its duly appointed agent before construction.

  “Prior to construction of any driveway or other private access to a public right-of- way, the landowner shall obtain the approval of the Board of Selectmen or their duly appointed agent as authorized by 19 VSA, § 1111.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Development in Waterford's designated flood hazard areas.

  • DRB approvals required for conditional uses, nonconforming use approval, or variances must precede the Zoning Administrator's permit.
  • All necessary state and federal permits must be received before work begins.
  • Some activities are prohibited or exempt under §402 and §403.

  “Permit: a permit is required from the Administrative Officer for all development in all areas defined in Article IV.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Town permits in Waterford town.

  • The fee document is published on the town's official Ordinances & Forms page; the bylaw states zoning-permit fees are established by the Selectboard.

  “WATERFORD FEES updated 7/15/2019 Advertising Permit Recording Mylar Total Zoning Permit - Principal Building $100.00 $15.00 $115.00”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning permit applications for land development in Waterford town.

  • The application must include required fees, plot or site plan, and applicable DRB approvals.
  • Required state wastewater/potable-water, shoreland, and road-access permits must be secured before the town accepts the zoning application.

  “No permit shall be issued unless an application fee, plot or site plan and/or any approvals by the Development Review Board required by the applicable bylaws have been properly obtained and are submitted in connection with the application.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Waterford

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

• Who permits septicState (with conditions)

  On-site septic systems inside Waterford town.

  • Waterford requires required Agency of Natural Resources wastewater-disposal and potable-water permits before accepting a zoning permit application.

  “The State of Vermont regulates all on-site septic systems.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction within Waterford town.
• Building code adopted — Building construction within Waterford town.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings in Waterford town zoning districts.
• Lot coverage — Lots in Waterford town.
• Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in Waterford 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.