The deadline for public comment has expired. Contact the agency or primary contact person listed below for assistance.
Rule Details
Rule Number:
25P040
Title:
Vermont Wetland Rules.
Type:
Standard
Status:
Final Proposed
Agency:
Department of Environmental Conservation, Agency of Natural Resources
Legal Authority:
10 V.S.A. §§ 905b(18) and 930; and 3 V.S.A. § 801(b)(11)
Summary:
This rule amendment to the Vermont Wetland Rules (VWR) will provide that housing projects are an allowed use in unmapped Class II wetlands located within appropriate locations; specifically growth areas, Tier 1A or 1B designations under 10 V.S.A. §6033,and locations meeting the eligibility requirements established in 10 V.S.A § 6081(z)for an interim exemption from an Act 250 permit or amendment. It will also provide greater flexibility to allow housing construction to occur within the buffer of a mapped Class II wetland within the areas listed above. The elimination of the reconsideration process removes an interim step between permit issuance and appeal which typically takes a month. This will reduce permit and appeal processing time for housing projects throughout the state. The amendments related to the wetland maps will streamline edits. Wetland maps provide notice and regulatory certainty for developers.
Persons Affected:
This rule will affect: Vermonters seeking housing in designated areas; Landowners with Class II wetlands located on their property within designated areas that wish to develop housing projects or multi-use projects with a housing component; engineers, architects, consultants, designers, developers, and contractors hired to evaluate develop, construct on, or otherwise conduct activities related to housing development on properties with Class II wetlands located in the designated areas; wetland consultants working in Vermont; municipalities seeking to promote housing development within designated areas; and the public at large, with an interest in housing issues as well as wetland regulations.
Economic Impact:
Wetlands provide important environmental and economic functions. This rule will negatively impact some wetlands and their functions in designated areas. However, the extent of those impacts will be limited and balanced by facilitating home building and densification in designated areas reducing sprawl and its associated environmental and climate-related impacts. Vermont has a statewide shortage of affordable homes. Half of Vermonters pay a high percent of income for housing, and 25 pay more than 50 for housing. Options are most limited for low-income renters, but all renters struggle to find affordable housing. Further, lack of housing is linked to the inability to recruit workers for local businesses. New home construction is not keeping pace with demand, reducing vacancy rates and inventories, and increasing the cost of living. In order to meet the 2025 to 2029 demand and address these issues, home building must increase to 24,000-36,000 additional homes.
Posting date:
Nov 12,2025
Hearing Information
Information for Hearing # 1
Hearing date:
Location:
Springfield State Office Building, 1st Floor Conference Room
Address:
100 Mineral Street
City:
Springfield
State:
VT
Zip:
05156
Hearing Notes:
Also virtually via MS Teams at: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/7cd1a7f4-2436-4b30-a38d-1b88be3b80f8@20b4933b-baad-433c-9c02-70edcc7559c6
Information for Hearing # 2
Hearing date:
Location:
Virtually via MS Teams
Address:
Link at: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/7cd1a7f4-2436-4b30-a38d-1b88be3b80f8@20b4933b-baad-433c-9c02-70edcc7559c6
City:
n/a
State:
VT
Zip:
n/a
Hearing Notes:
Also virtually via MS Teams at: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/7cd1a7f4-2436-4b30-a38d-1b88be3b80f8@20b4933b-baad-433c-9c02-70edcc7559c6
Information for Hearing # 3
Hearing date:
Location:
Dewey 1st Floor Conference Room
Address:
1 National Life Drive, Davis 2
City:
Montpelier
State:
VT
Zip:
05620-3522
Hearing Notes:
Also virtually via MS Teams at: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/7cd1a7f4-2436-4b30-a38d-1b88be3b80f8@20b4933b-baad-433c-9c02-70edcc7559c6
Information for Hearing # 4
Hearing date:
Location:
Virtually via MS Teams
Address:
Link at: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/7cd1a7f4-2436-4b30-a38d-1b88be3b80f8@20b4933b-baad-433c-9c02-70edcc7559c6
City:
n/a
State:
VT
Zip:
n/a
Hearing Notes:
Also virtually via MS Teams at: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/7cd1a7f4-2436-4b30-a38d-1b88be3b80f8@20b4933b-baad-433c-9c02-70edcc7559c6
Contact Information
Information for Contact # 1
Level:
Primary
Name:
Misty Sinsigalli, Commissioner
Agency:
Department of Environmental Conservation, Agency of Natural Resources
