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

Town of Plainfield’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Plainfield town, Vermont.

  • The Development Review Board and Zoning Administrator oversee compliance.

  “The Plainfield Planning Commission is the volunteer municipal body appointed by the Select Board that creates the Town Plan and makes changes to the Zoning Ordinance. The Development Review Board and Zoning Administrator oversees compliance with the Zoning Ordinance.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts and overlay districts inside Plainfield town.

  • District locations and boundaries are shown on the attached zoning map.
  • Flood Hazard Area Overlay boundaries use the current FEMA/NFIP studies and maps as provided by the Agency of Natural Resources.
  • River Corridor Overlay boundaries use current Vermont Agency of Natural Resources river-corridor maps.

  “The location and boundaries of the zoning districts described below are established as shown on the attached zoning map.”

• Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

  One recreational vehicle on a residential or undeveloped lot inside Plainfield town.

  • It must meet district setbacks.
  • It may not be occupied for dwelling purposes more than 180 days in any one-year period.
  • Utility hookups and sewage disposal must comply with State and applicable local regulations.
  • It must meet Flood Hazard Overlay District requirements if located there.

  maximum dwelling occupancy: <= 180 days per one-year period

  “A person may park one recreational vehicle or other temporary dwelling (e.g., tent, tipi, and yurt), on a residential or undeveloped lot subject to the following provisions:”

• Camping on your landLimited

  A tent, tipi, yurt, or other temporary dwelling on a residential or undeveloped lot inside Plainfield town.

  • The temporary dwelling is limited to one per lot under Section 4.8.
  • It must meet district setbacks and may not be occupied more than 180 days in a one-year period.
  • Sewage disposal, utility connections, and flood-overlay compliance are subject to stated requirements.

  maximum dwelling occupancy: <= 180 days per one-year period

  “A person may park one recreational vehicle or other temporary dwelling (e.g., tent, tipi, and yurt), on a residential or undeveloped lot subject to the following provisions:”

• Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

  One accessory dwelling unit within or appurtenant to an owner-occupied single-family dwelling inside Plainfield town.

  • The property must have a State wastewater permit.
  • Floor space may not exceed 40 percent of the existing living area or 1,100 square feet, whichever is greater.
  • Applicable setbacks and parking requirements must be met.

  maximum accessory-dwelling floor-space share: <= 40 percent (or 1,100 square feet, whichever is greater)

  “In accordance with 24 V.S.A. §4412(1)(E), no zoning regulation shall have the effect of excluding as permitted use one accessory dwelling unit that is located within or appurtenant to an owner-occupied single-family dwelling.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Sewage generated by a recreational vehicle or temporary dwelling on residential or undeveloped land inside Plainfield town.

  • Sewage must be disposed of under applicable local and State regulations.
  • Any utility hookup must comply with State wastewater regulations.
  • The temporary dwelling must meet district setbacks, the 180-day occupancy limit, and flood-overlay requirements where applicable.

  “Written documentation shall be provided that any sewage generated by a camper or other temporary shelter shall be disposed of in accordance with all applicable local and state regulations; and”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Non-exempt subdivisions inside Plainfield town.

  • One lot from a parcel existing on the regulation date may be exempt, subject to Town zoning and applicable State requirements.
  • The Development Review Board may modify, waive, or vary requirements under stated conditions.

  “Prior to any subdivision of land; before a final contract for sale of such subdivision or any part thereof is made; before any grading or clearing of building sites, or before any permit for erection of a structure in such proposed subdivision is granted, the subdivider shall apply in writing to the Development Review Board and secure approval of proposed subdivision in accordance with these Subdivision Regulations.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Access from a Town public road or highway inside Plainfield town.

  • State-highway access requires Vermont Agency of Transportation approval.
  • The zoning permit granting access must have Road Commissioner or Road Foreman approval.
  • Access permits must be obtained before issuance of a zoning permit and before DRB approval where DRB approval is required.
  • Agricultural or forestry-only curb cuts are excepted from the one-curb-cut limit.

  “Adding a driveway to your property, or changing the existing use of a driveway (for instance, from Agricultural to Residential), instead requires the Access permit approved by the Road Foreman and by the Zoning Administrator.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Road-access permits inside Plainfield town.

  • The stated $20 fee applies to a Road Access Permit.

  Road Access Permit fee: 20 USD

  “The fee for a Road Access Permit is $20.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Town zoning-permit applications inside Plainfield town.

  • A complete application includes application materials and fees.
  • The Zoning Administrator may issue, deny, or refer the application to the Development Review Board and/or State.
  • A municipal-panel, Selectboard, or State-review approval may be required before issuance.

  Zoning Administrator action period: <= 30 days (After receipt of a complete application, including materials and fees)

  “Within thirty (30) days of receipt of a complete application, including all application materials and fees, the Zoning Administrator shall act to either issue or deny a zoning permit in writing, or to refer the application to the Development Review Board and/or state for consideration.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Plainfield

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

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Forest and Agricultural Lands District inside Plainfield town.

  • The dimensional standard is district-specific.
  • Nonconforming-lot provisions may affect an existing lot.

  minimum lot area: >= 5 acres

  “Section 2.5.3 Dimensional Standards Lot area minimum: Five acres”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Forest and Agricultural Lands District inside Plainfield town.

  • Accessory structures and uses on nonconforming lots below five acres have a 25-foot setback rather than the stated 50-foot standard.

  front setback minimum: >= 50 feet (Measured from edge of road) · side and rear setback minimum: >= 50 feet (Accessory structures and uses on nonconforming lots less than five acres: 25 feet)

  “Front setback minimum: 50 feet – as measured from edge of road Side & rear minimum: 50 feet”

• Building heightSpecified

  Forest and Agricultural Lands District inside Plainfield town.

  • Agricultural uses are exempt from the stated maximum.

  maximum building height: <= 35 feet (Agricultural uses exempt)

  “Building height maximum: 35 feet (agricultural uses exempt)”

• Septic permitRequired

  New wastewater systems and most repairs, upgrades, and new construction involving on-site wastewater facilities inside Plainfield town.

  • The State source says a permit is needed for most, rather than all, repairs, upgrades, and new construction.
  • Municipal delegation may change the issuing administrator but must follow State rules.

  “Building a new water supply or wastewater system: A permit is required for new construction.”

• Well permitLimited

  New potable-water supplies inside Plainfield town.

  • A permit is required for construction of a new water supply.
  • The State program also identifies exemptions and circumstances requiring review for modifications or replacements.

  “Building a new water supply or wastewater system: A permit is required for new construction.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Residential building permits inside Plainfield town.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residences inside Plainfield town.
• Building code adopted — Building-code adoption for land inside Plainfield town.
• Inspections — Building inspections inside Plainfield town.
• Certificate of occupancy — Residential certificates of occupancy inside Plainfield 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.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Town of Plainfield 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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