Bolthole Index

Orleans County, Vermont

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

Town of Craftsbury is a town in Orleans County, Vermont. Town of Craftsbury has not adopted its own zoning; the county’s or state’s rules apply inside its limits. 14 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on October 29, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Orleans County page.

Answers from the rulebook for Town of Craftsbury

Town of Craftsbury’s own rules

  • Local zoningAbsent

    Land inside Craftsbury town.

    • Craftsbury has separate flood-hazard regulations.
    “a) to establish an ad-hoc committee to research local development and provide oversight to Select Board (due to no zoning)”
  • Zoning districtsNot published

    Zoning districts administered by Craftsbury town.

    • Craftsbury has separate flood-hazard regulations but no zoning ordinance.
    “a) to establish an ad-hoc committee to research local development and provide oversight to Select Board (due to no zoning)”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeNone

    Minimum dwelling size under Craftsbury's zoning rules inside the town.

    • This finding concerns local zoning only; other state and flood-hazard requirements may apply.
    “a) to establish an ad-hoc committee to research local development and provide oversight to Select Board (due to no zoning)”
  • Minimum lot sizeNone

    Minimum lot size under Craftsbury's zoning rules inside the town.

    • This finding concerns local zoning only; wastewater, flood-hazard, and other state requirements may apply.
    “a) to establish an ad-hoc committee to research local development and provide oversight to Select Board (due to no zoning)”
  • SetbacksNone

    Building setbacks under Craftsbury's zoning rules inside the town.

    • This finding concerns local zoning only; flood-hazard requirements may apply.
    “a) to establish an ad-hoc committee to research local development and provide oversight to Select Board (due to no zoning)”
  • Lot coverageNone

    Lot coverage under Craftsbury's zoning rules inside the town.

    • This finding concerns local zoning only; flood-hazard requirements may apply.
    “a) to establish an ad-hoc committee to research local development and provide oversight to Select Board (due to no zoning)”
  • Building heightNone

    Building height under Craftsbury's zoning rules inside the town.

    • This finding concerns local zoning only; flood-hazard requirements may apply.
    “a) to establish an ad-hoc committee to research local development and provide oversight to Select Board (due to no zoning)”
  • Living in an RVUnrestricted

    RV occupancy under Craftsbury's zoning rules inside the town.

    • This finding concerns local zoning only; flood-hazard and state wastewater requirements may independently apply.
    “a) to establish an ad-hoc committee to research local development and provide oversight to Select Board (due to no zoning)”
  • Camping on your landUnrestricted

    Temporary camping under Craftsbury's zoning rules inside the town.

    • This finding concerns local zoning only; flood-hazard and state wastewater requirements may independently apply.
    “a) to establish an ad-hoc committee to research local development and provide oversight to Select Board (due to no zoning)”
  • Tiny homesUnrestricted

    Tiny-home occupancy under Craftsbury's zoning rules inside the town.

    • This finding concerns local zoning only; flood-hazard and state wastewater requirements may independently apply.
    “a) to establish an ad-hoc committee to research local development and provide oversight to Select Board (due to no zoning)”
  • Manufactured homesUnrestricted

    Manufactured-home occupancy under Craftsbury's zoning rules inside the town.

    • This finding concerns local zoning only; flood-hazard and state wastewater requirements may independently apply.
    “a) to establish an ad-hoc committee to research local development and provide oversight to Select Board (due to no zoning)”
  • Accessory dwellingsUnrestricted

    Accessory dwellings under Craftsbury's zoning rules inside the town.

    • This finding concerns local zoning only; flood-hazard and state wastewater requirements may independently apply.
    “a) to establish an ad-hoc committee to research local development and provide oversight to Select Board (due to no zoning)”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in Craftsbury's Special Flood Hazard Area, including fill, excavation, grading, erection, placement, or substantial improvement of structures.

    • The requirement is limited to development in the Special Flood Hazard Area.
    • New development in the area must meet applicable standards, including elevation and floodproofing standards.
    “All development in the Special Flood Hazard Areas – including fill, excavation, grading, erection, placement, or substantial improvement of structures – must first receive a permit.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Craftsbury

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

  • Driveway accessRequired

    Work affecting a town-highway right-of-way inside Craftsbury town, including construction or modification of a driveway.

    • The requirement applies to work within or directly affecting the town-highway right-of-way.
    • Except on limited-access highways, reasonable entrance and exit cannot be denied.
    • Reasonableness considers safety, maintenance of reasonable service levels, and protection of public investment in highway infrastructure.
    “It shall be unlawful to develop, construct, regrade, or resurface any driveway, entrance, or approach; or build a fence or building; or deposit material of any kind within; or to in any way affect the grade of a highway right-of-way; or obstruct a ditch, culvert, or drainage course that drains a highway; or fill or grade the land adjacent to a highway so as to divert the flow of water onto the highway right-of-way without a written permit from the Agency, in the case of State highways, or the legislative body or designee of a municipality, in the case of town highways.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Building permit — Residential building construction inside Craftsbury town.
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Craftsbury town.
  • Building code adopted — Building-code adoption for residential construction inside Craftsbury town.
  • Inspections — Residential building inspections inside Craftsbury town.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for residences inside Craftsbury town.
11 more unanswered
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees
  • Permit process

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Town of Craftsbury publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Orleans County’s page lists the county offices to call.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Town of Craftsbury means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

← All of Orleans County: county rules, score and offices