Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of Fair Haven, Vermont

Town of Fair Haven’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Land development subject to the Fair Haven zoning regulations, including construction that meets the regulations' definition of development.

  • Exemptions in Section 1202 apply, unless the activity is located in a flood hazard area.

  “No land development as defined herein, which is subject to these regulations, shall be commenced in the Town of Fair Haven until a zoning permit has been issued by the Administrative Officer, as provided for in the Act [§§4448, 4449].”

• InspectionsLimited

  Structures or premises ready for occupancy or use under Fair Haven's zoning regulations.

  • The final inspection follows notification that the structure, premises, or part is ready for occupancy or use.

  inspection response period: <= 15 days (After notification that the building, structure, or premises is ready for occupancy or use.)

  “Within fifteen (15) days after notification that a building or structure or premises or part thereof is ready for occupancy or use, it shall be the duty of the Administrative Officer to make a final inspection thereof and issue a Certificate of Compliance if the land, building, structure, or part thereof is found to conform with the provisions of this Ordinance.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Use or occupancy of land or a structure created, erected, changed, converted, altered, or enlarged in Fair Haven.

  • The Administrative Officer must issue a Certificate of Compliance stating that the proposed use conforms to the ordinance.

  “It shall be unlawful to use, 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 until a Certificate of Compliance is issued by the Administrative Officer stating that the proposed use of the land or structure conforms to the provisions of this Ordinance.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land within the Town of Fair Haven, Vermont.

  • Land development must conform to the applicable district regulations.

  “Zoning Regulations for the Town of Fair Haven”

• Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

  Travel trailers and other mobile camping vehicles on private land in Fair Haven town.

  • Written permission of the landowner is required.
  • The vehicle may not be used for living purposes for more than 21 days per year.

  maximum living use: <= 21 days per year (Applies to a travel trailer or other mobile camping vehicle on private land.)

  “A travel trailer or other mobile camping vehicle may be parked on private land within the Town of Fair Haven, with the written permission of the landowner, provided it is not used for living purposes in excess of twenty-one days per year.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision that expands or changes present land use in Fair Haven town.

  • Development subject to the regulations may not commence until a zoning permit is issued.
  • Flood-hazard-area subdivisions have additional review requirements.

  “Development (Outside the Flood Hazard Area): (1) any construction which serves to create or to alter the dimensional aspects of the exterior of any structure. (re-siding, and reshingling shall not be considered alterations.) (2) any construction which serves to create, add, expand, or change the use of any structure or land. (3) any relocation of a structure, or section of a structure from, to, or upon a lot. (4) an activity or use of land or a building (such as quarrying, excavating, road building, or subdivision) which will expand or change its present use.”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Fair Haven zoning-permit applications.

  • Required application fees are set by the Select Board and submitted with each application.

  “Application Requirements. An application for a zoning permit shall be filed with the Administrative Officer on form(s) provided by the municipality. Required application fees, as set by the Select Board, also shall be submitted with each application.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Fair Haven zoning-permit applications.

  • A complete application includes applicable materials and fees.
  • The Administrative Officer may issue, deny, or refer the application to the Planning Commission or Zoning Board of Adjustment.
  • Uses needing Planning Commission or Board approval cannot receive a zoning permit until written approval is obtained.

  Administrative Officer action period: <= 30 days (After receipt of a complete application including all materials and fees.)

  “Within thirty (30) days of receipt of a complete application, including all application materials and fees, the Administrative Officer shall act to either issue or deny a zoning permit in writing, or to refer the application to the Planning Commission or Zoning Board of Adjustment. In accordance with the Act [§§4448, 4449], if the Administrative Officer fails to act within the 30-day period, a permit shall be deemed issued on the 31st day. 2. No zoning permit shall be issued by the Administrative Officer for any use or structure which requires the approval of the Planning Commission / Zoning Board of Adjustment until such written approval has been obtained.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residences in Fair Haven town.
• Building code adopted — Building-code adoption for land within Fair Haven town.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings in Fair Haven town.
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping other than travel trailers or mobile camping vehicles in Fair Haven town.
• Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in Fair Haven 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.