Washington County, Vermont
Town of Marshfield is a town in Washington County, Vermont. Town of Marshfield adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits Town of Marshfield’s rules apply, not the county’s. 15 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on October 29, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Washington County page.
Land inside Marshfield town's limits: the Town of Marshfield administers its own zoning regulations (Village Residential, Agricultural and Rural Residential, Forestry and Conservation, Flood Hazard and Water Conservation Overlay districts).
“information about proposed amendments to the zoning and subdivision regulations may be found here”
Land inside Marshfield town's limits, under the town zoning regulations
zoning districts listed: 5 districts
“marshfield is hereby divided into the following zoning districts as shown on the official land use and zoning map: village residential district agricultural and rural residential district forestry and conservation district flood hazard district water conservation overlay district”
Agricultural and Rural Residential district (Section 420) inside Marshfield town: all uses and structures
minimum lot area, all uses and structures: >= 2 acres · minimum lot frontage, lots less than 10 acres: >= 250 feet · minimum lot frontage, lots greater than 10 acres: >= 350 feet
“minimum lot frontage lots less than 10 acres 250 feet lots greater than 10 acres 350 feet minimum lot area * all uses and structures 2 acres”
“minimum lot frontage all buildings and uses 90 feet minimum lot area * one family dwelling 10,000 square feet two family dwelling 15,000 square feet multiple family dwelling 6,000 square feet per unit, avg.”
Agricultural and Rural Residential district (Section 420) inside Marshfield town: all uses and structures
minimum front setback (from road centerline): >= 65 feet · minimum side and rear setback (from property line): >= 40 feet
“minimum front setback all uses and structures 65 feet from the centerline of the road minimum side and rear setback all uses and structures 40 feet from property line”
“minimum side and rear all buildings and uses setbacks 15 feet maximum lot coverage all buildings and uses 20% of the lot”
Agricultural and Rural Residential district (Section 420) inside Marshfield town: all uses and structures
maximum lot coverage: <= 20 percent of the lot
“maximum lot coverage all uses and structures 20% of the lot”
“maximum lot coverage all buildings and uses 20% of the lot”
Village Residential district (Section 410) inside Marshfield town
maximum building height, primary uses: <= 3 stories or feet (45 feet, whichever is less; accessory buildings 35 feet)
“residential, commercial, public, industrial uses 3 stories or 45 feet, whichever is less accessory buildings 35 feet”
“primary uses and structures 3 stories or 45 feet, whichever is less accessory buildings 35 feet agricultural uses no height restriction”
Accessory apartments inside Marshfield town (Section 305 per the zoning table of contents); district applicability of Section 305 not confirmed
accessory apartment floor space maximum: <= 30 percent of existing living area of the single-family residence
“accessory apartment: a secondary dwelling unit established in conjunction with and clearly subordinate to a primary dwelling unit, whether a part of the same structure as the primary dwelling unit or a detached dwelling unit on the same lot. floor space shall not exceed 30% of the existing living area of the single family residence.”
New development in the Village Residential district of Marshfield town (growth center served by public systems); the general rule for other districts was not found
“wastewater and water facilities approved by the marshfield village trustees are required.”
Land divisions inside Marshfield town under the town's subdivision regulations
“information about proposed amendments to the zoning and subdivision regulations may be found here”
Private driveways serving lots inside Marshfield town
driveway minimum width: >= 12 feet (driveway serving two or three lots without subdivision road approval) · driveway right-of-way: 50 feet (driveway serving two or three lots without subdivision road approval)
“driveways may provide access to two or three lots without subdivision road approval providing that they are at least 12 feet wide and are located on a fifty-foot right of way.”
Site plan approval under the Marshfield zoning regulations, as stated in the general regulations following the Village Residential table (Section 410)
“site plan approval is required for all uses except one and two family dwellings, dwelling accessory use or agricultural use.”
We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Marshfield or Washington County directly.
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 Marshfield publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Washington County’s page lists the county offices to call.
Off-grid gear
Going off-grid in Town of Marshfield means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:
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