The Vermont Statutes Online
The Vermont Statutes Online have been updated to include the actions of the 2023 session of the General Assembly.
NOTE: The Vermont Statutes Online is an unofficial copy of the Vermont Statutes Annotated that is provided as a convenience.
Title 10 : Conservation and Development
Chapter 049A : Lake Shoreland Protection Standards
(Cite as: 10 V.S.A. § 1445)-
§ 1445. Nonconforming parcels; permit standards
(a) Permit for nonconforming parcels. A permit applicant shall comply with the requirements of subsection (b) of this section if the applicant cannot meet the standard required under subdivision 1444(a)(1) of this title on a parcel of land in existence on July 1, 2014, due to one of the following limitations:
(1) parcel size;
(2) the site characteristic or site limitations of the parcel, including presence of highway or rights of way and soil type; or
(3) application of municipal setback requirement in a municipal bylaw adopted on or before July 1, 2014.
(b) Permit standards for nonconforming parcels.
(1) For a parcel on which there is no habitable structure, the cleared area or impervious surface shall be as far as possible from the mean water level, and at a minimum shall be no less than 25 feet from the mean water level, except for shoreland stabilization measures designed to repair or prevent erosion or flood risks and approved by the Secretary.
(2) For a parcel on which a habitable structure is located, the expansion of any portion of the structure within 100 feet of the mean water level shall be on the side of the structure farthest from the lake, unless the Secretary determines that:
(A) expansion on an alternate side of the structure will have an impact on water quality that is equivalent to or less than expansion of the structure on the side farthest from the lake; and
(B) the structure is not expanded toward the mean water level.
(3) Cleared area or impervious surface within the protected shoreland area shall be located on a site:
(A) with a slope of less than 20 percent; or
(B) that the permit applicant demonstrates will have a stable slope with minimal erosion and minimal negative impacts to water quality.
(4)(A) No more than 20 percent of the protected shoreland area of the parcel shall consist of impervious surface; or
(B) The permit applicant shall demonstrate that best management practices will be used to manage, treat, and control erosion due to stormwater runoff from that portion of impervious surface that exceeds 20 percent of the protected shoreland area.
(5)(A) No more than 40 percent of the protected shoreland area of the parcel shall consist of cleared area, including area cleared for the purposes of creating an impervious surface; or
(B) The permit applicant shall demonstrate that best management practices will be used to provide erosion control, bank stability, and wildlife habitat functionally equivalent to that which would be provided by clearing less than 40 percent of the protected shoreland area.
(c) Vegetation maintenance on nonconforming parcels. A permit issued under this section for creation of cleared area or impervious surface on a nonconforming parcel shall not require compliance with the requirements of section 1447 for the management of vegetative cover.
(d) Application process. An applicant for a permit under this section shall submit to the Secretary a form that identifies the basis of the nonconformity on the parcel. The Secretary may issue a permit under this section to an applicant who meets the requirements of subsection (b) of this section. (Added 2013, No. 172 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)
