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

Town of Montgomery’s own rules

• Building heightSpecified

  Structures inside Montgomery town.

  • Exceptions apply to chimneys, antenna structures, windmills with blades under 20 feet in diameter, and complying rooftop solar collectors under 10 feet above the roof line.
  • Under conditional-use review, the DRB may authorize other unoccupied exceptions, such as steeples and cupolas, that do not disrupt surroundings or create a hazard.

  maximum structure height: <= 35 feet above ground level (subject to listed exceptions)

  “No structure shall exceed a height of thirty five (35) feet above ground level”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Camping vehicles used as living quarters inside Montgomery town.

  • The limitation applies when the camping vehicle is sited so as not to be readily movable; it is then subject to all zoning rules applicable to dwellings.

  “sited so as not to be readily movable shall be deemed a dwelling”

• Who permits septicState (with conditions)

  Wastewater systems, potable water supplies, and municipal water or sewer connections inside Montgomery town.

  • The Town's zoning page identifies the Vermont Regional Office Program as the issuing program; the cited text does not itself establish every circumstance in which a permit is required.

  “The Regional Office Program issues water/wastewater permits (WW Permits) for soil based wastewater systems with flows of less than 6,500 gallons per day”

• Short-term rentalsLimited

  Short-term rentals inside Montgomery town.

  • The Short-Term Rental Registry Ordinance is effective September 1, 2026.
  • An STR is a qualifying rental for fewer than 30 consecutive days and more than 14 days per calendar year, subject to stated lodging-establishment and resident-occupied-room exclusions.
  • An STR registration is required before use, expires April 30 following the application year, and must be renewed annually.
  • Capacity is two individuals per bedroom plus no more than two additional individuals per dwelling unit.
  • The page states insurance and minimum parking requirements also apply.

  initial STR registration fee: 300 USD per dwelling unit · annual renewal registration fee: 150 USD per dwelling unit · maximum STR capacity: 2 individuals per bedroom plus 2 additional individuals per dwelling unit

  “requires an STR registration [...] renewal registration fee of $150 [...] capacity is limited to 2 individuals per bedroom plus no more than 2 additional individuals”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Town zoning, development-review, and town-highway applications inside Montgomery town.

  • The schedule was revised August 21, 2023.
  • All applications require a $15 recording fee.
  • Residential camp, one- and two-family dwelling, garage, and substantial-improvement applications are listed at $50 in addition to the recording fee.

  recording fee: 15 USD (all applications) · residential camp, one- and two-family dwelling, garage, or substantial-improvement permit fee: 50 USD (plus applicable recording fee) · driveway permit fee: 15 USD (recording fee only)

  “All Applications require a $15.00 fee for Recording [...] Camp, one & two family dwelling, garage, substantial improvements $50.00 [...] Driveway Permit $15.00”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder work inside Montgomery town.
• Building code adopted — Building-code adoption for construction inside Montgomery town.
• Inspections — Building inspections for construction inside Montgomery town.
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for structures inside Montgomery town.
• Minimum dwelling size — Principal dwellings inside Montgomery 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.