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

Town of Danby’s own rules

• Local zoningAbsent

  Land inside Danby town, Rutland County, Vermont, other than development in the FEMA-mapped floodplain.

  • Danby regulates development in the FEMA-mapped floodplain.
  • State wastewater, potable-water, and subdivision permitting can still apply.

  “Neither community regulates development, except for that in the FEMA-mapped floodplain in Danby.”

• Minimum dwelling sizeNone

  Dwellings inside Danby town, outside the FEMA-mapped floodplain.

  • This is an absence of a local development standard, not an exemption from state construction, wastewater, or potable-water rules.

  “Neither community regulates development, except for that in the FEMA-mapped floodplain in Danby.”

• Minimum lot sizeNone

  Land inside Danby town, outside the FEMA-mapped floodplain.

  • This is an absence of a local development standard; state subdivision permitting still applies.

  “Neither community regulates development, except for that in the FEMA-mapped floodplain in Danby.”

• SetbacksNone

  Development inside Danby town, outside the FEMA-mapped floodplain.

  • This is an absence of a local development standard.

  “Neither community regulates development, except for that in the FEMA-mapped floodplain in Danby.”

• Lot coverageNone

  Development inside Danby town, outside the FEMA-mapped floodplain.

  • This is an absence of a local development standard.

  “Neither community regulates development, except for that in the FEMA-mapped floodplain in Danby.”

• Building heightNone

  Development inside Danby town, outside the FEMA-mapped floodplain.

  • This is an absence of a local development standard.

  “Neither community regulates development, except for that in the FEMA-mapped floodplain in Danby.”

• Building in a floodplainLimited

  Development in the FEMA-mapped floodplain inside Danby town.

  • The town regulations page identifies Flood Hazard Area Regulations and a permit application.
  • The page says permits may be obtained at the Town Clerk's office.

  “Flood Hazard Area Regulations: click here ... Application For Flood Hazard Area Permit: click here”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Danby

Town of Danby 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)

  Wastewater systems and potable-water supplies inside Danby town.

  • The statutory permit rule is subject to exceptions in 10 V.S.A. §§ 1974 and 1978.
  • The Secretary is the issuing authority.

  “a person shall obtain a permit from the Secretary”

• Septic permitRequired

  Construction, replacement, or modification of a wastewater system inside Danby town.

  • Exceptions are provided in 10 V.S.A. §§ 1974 and 1978.
  • Permit must be obtained from the Secretary before the listed action.

  “Except as provided in this section and sections 1974 and 1978 of this title, a person shall obtain a permit from the Secretary before: [...] constructing, replacing, or modifying a potable water supply or wastewater system;”

• Septic inspectionLimited

  A substantially completed permitted potable-water supply or wastewater system inside Danby town.

  • This condition concerns a permit issued under 10 V.S.A. § 1973.
  • The permit is invalid until the Secretary receives the required installation statement.
  • The system must also be properly tested and successfully meet performance tests.

  “were inspected; ... were properly tested; and ... have successfully met those performance tests.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Off-grid wastewater disposal systems inside Danby town.

  • Exceptions are provided in 10 V.S.A. §§ 1974 and 1978.
  • A permit from the Secretary is required before construction, replacement, or modification of a wastewater system.

  “Provisions allowing the use of a variety of alternative or innovative technologies”

• Well permitRequired

  Construction, replacement, or modification of a potable-water supply inside Danby town.

  • Exceptions are provided in 10 V.S.A. §§ 1974 and 1978.
  • Permit must be obtained from the Secretary before the listed action.

  “Except as provided in this section and sections 1974 and 1978 of this title, a person shall obtain a permit from the Secretary before: [...] constructing, replacing, or modifying a potable water supply or wastewater system;”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision of land inside Danby town.

  • Exceptions are provided in 10 V.S.A. §§ 1974 and 1978.
  • Application is on a form prescribed by the Secretary and must include documents and information required by rule.

  “Except as provided in this section and sections 1974 and 1978 of this title, a person shall obtain a permit from the Secretary before: (1) subdividing land; [...] Application for a permit shall be made on a form prescribed by the Secretary.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  State wastewater, potable-water, and subdivision permit applications affecting land inside Danby town.

  • The statute provides exceptions in 10 V.S.A. §§ 1974 and 1978.
  • The Secretary may require documents and information by rule for proper application review and permit issuance.

  “Application for a permit shall be made on a form prescribed by the Secretary. The application shall be supported by such documents and information that the Secretary, by rule, deems necessary for proper application review and the issuance of a permit.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Residential building construction inside Danby town.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built dwellings inside Danby town.
• Building code adopted — Residential construction inside Danby town.
• Inspections — Residential building inspections inside Danby town.
• Certificate of occupancy — Residential occupancy inside Danby 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.