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

Town of Fayston’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Construction, reconstruction, conversion, structural alteration, relocation, or enlargement of a building or other structure within Fayston town limits.

  • Certain outbuildings may not require a zoning permit.
  • Development also must satisfy applicable Development Review Board, Select Board, subdivision, state, and federal approval requirements.

  “Fayston requires a zoning permit for all land development which includes the following; the division of a parcel into two or more parcels, the construction, reconstruction, conversion, structural alteration, relocation, or enlargement of any building or other structure, or of any mining, excavation or landfill, and any change in the use of any building or other structure, or land or extension of use of land.”

• InspectionsLimited

  Projects within Fayston town limits for which a certificate of occupancy is required.

  • The Administrative Officer may inspect before issuing the certificate of occupancy; the cited provision does not mandate an inspection for every project.

  “The Administrative Officer may inspect the premises to ensure that all work has been completed in conformance with the zoning permit and associated approvals prior to issuing a certificate.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Use or occupancy of Fayston land, structures, or parts thereof for which a Fayston zoning permit has been issued.

  • The application is submitted upon completion of required improvements and before use or occupancy.
  • Applicant must demonstrate conformity with the zoning permit and associated approvals.
  • Wastewater installation and testing certification, where applicable, and RBES/CBES certification are required.

  “A certificate of occupancy issued by the Administrative Officer is required prior to the use or occupancy of land, structures, or part thereof, for which a zoning permit has been issued.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land within Fayston town limits.

  • Land development and subdivision must comply with the Town of Fayston Land Use Regulations; activities specifically exempted under Article 9, Section 2 or the Act are excepted.

  “There are hereby established Zoning and Subdivision Regulations for the Town of Fayston in accordance with the Vermont Planning and Development Act [24 VSA Chapter 117]. These regulations shall be known and cited as the “Town of Fayston Land Use Regulations.””

• Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

  Travel trailers and recreational vehicles in Fayston.

  • Allowed only in an approved campground or on a residential or undeveloped lot under Section 4.3.
  • May not be occupied for dwelling purposes more than 90 days in a one-year period unless permitted as a principal or accessory dwelling.
  • Utility connections must be severable and septic connection is restricted.

  maximum dwelling occupancy: <= 90 days per one-year period (May exceed 90 days on a residential lot if permitted as a principal or accessory dwelling.)

  “It shall be unlawful for any person to use a camper (travel trailer, recreation vehicle) or other temporary shelter (e.g., tent, tipi, yurt) as a camper or other temporary shelter, except in an approved campground or on a residential or undeveloped lot, subject to the following provisions: (1) it is not occupied for dwelling purposes for more than 90 days within any one-year period.”

• Camping on your landLimited

  Tents, tipis, yurts, and other temporary shelters in Fayston.

  • Allowed only in an approved campground or on a residential or undeveloped lot under Section 4.3.
  • Occupancy may not exceed 90 days in a one-year period unless permitted as a principal or accessory dwelling.
  • Sewage disposal must comply with applicable local, state, and federal regulations.

  maximum dwelling occupancy: <= 90 days per one-year period (May exceed 90 days on a residential lot if permitted as a principal or accessory dwelling.)

  “It shall be unlawful for any person to use a camper (travel trailer, recreation vehicle) or other temporary shelter (e.g., tent, tipi, yurt) as a camper or other temporary shelter, except in an approved campground or on a residential or undeveloped lot, subject to the following provisions: (1) it is not occupied for dwelling purposes for more than 90 days within any one-year period.”

• Accessory dwellingsLimited

  Accessory dwellings on a Fayston residential lot containing one single-family dwelling.

  • Only one accessory dwelling may be approved.
  • It must be within or appurtenant to the principal dwelling on an owner-occupied lot.
  • It must meet applicable dimensional requirements and adequate water, septic, and off-street parking capacity must be demonstrated.
  • It may not be on a lot containing two-family or multifamily dwellings.

  “An accessory dwelling or apartment is not permitted on any lot containing two-family or multi-family dwellings.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Fayston projects seeking a certificate of occupancy where a wastewater system has been installed.

  • Applicant must provide certification from a state-licensed professional engineer or site technician that the wastewater system was installed and tested as state-approved.

  “The applicant must provide certification from a professional engineer or site technician licensed by the state that any wastewater system has been installed and tested as approved by the state.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Division of a parcel into two or more parcels for sale, conveyance, lease, or development within Fayston.

  • All subdivisions must comply with the Land Use Regulations.
  • Exemptions identified in Article 9, Section 2 or under the Act remain applicable.
  • The Development Review Board evaluates minor and major subdivisions under Article 6 standards.

  “No land development or subdivision of land shall commence within the Town of Fayston except in compliance with these regulations.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Fayston zoning permits.

  • Application is on town forms and includes fee and required supporting information.
  • Development requiring DRB, Select Board, subdivision, state, federal, or flood approvals cannot receive a zoning permit until required approvals are obtained.
  • Administrative Officer acts within 30 days of a complete application or the permit is deemed issued on day 31.

  administrative action deadline: <= 30 days (From receipt of complete application, materials, fees, and required approvals.)

  “If the Administrative Officer fails to act within the 30-day period, a permit shall be deemed issued on the 31st day.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Fayston

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

• Building code adoptedPartial

  Residential and commercial construction within Fayston town limits that requires a Fayston certificate of occupancy.

  • The RBES/CBES certificate is a prerequisite to the Fayston certificate of occupancy.
  • For an owner-builder directing installation of materials not in compliance with RBES, a Vermont Owner/Builder Disclosure Statement must be submitted with the certificate-of-occupancy application.

  “The RBES/CBES is a requisite to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.”

• Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

  Agricultural activities and construction of farm structures in Fayston’s Rural Residential District.

  • Activities and structures must meet applicable state regulations and comply with Required Agricultural Practices.
  • Written notification and a sketch plan showing setbacks must be submitted to the Administrative Officer before construction as required under RAPs.
  • Structures must meet town setback requirements unless waived by the Secretary.

  “Such structures shall meet all setback requirements under these regulations, unless waived by the Secretary. A town permit is not required.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Development in Fayston’s Flood Hazard Overlay District.

  • Conditional-use, nonconforming-use, or variance approvals must be obtained before the Zoning Administrator issues a permit.
  • All necessary state and federal permits must be received before work begins.
  • All-size structures require a permit in the overlay.
  • New structures are prohibited except those required for flood control or stream management; additions or substantial improvements to legally existing structures may be allowed under conditional-use review and applicable federal and state requirements.

  “Any permit issued for development in the Flood Hazard Overlay District will require that all other necessary permits from State or Federal Agencies have been received before work may begin.”

Still unanswered

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

• Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings within Fayston town limits.
• Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy within Fayston town limits.
• Well permit — New or replacement private wells serving land within Fayston town limits.
• Mandatory utility hookup — New homes within Fayston town limits.
• Short-term rentals — Short-term rentals within Fayston town limits.

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.

Off-grid gear

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

• Water Crystal Quest Filter any source — well, rain, or creek — to drinking-clean.
• Power Bluetti Solar generators and home battery backup for living off the grid.
• Septic Soil percolation test kit Run your own perc test before paying an engineer — the first thing a septic office asks about.
• Water Well water test kit Bacteria, nitrates, hardness — know what the well on a parcel is really pumping.

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