The Vermont Statutes Online
The Statutes below include the actions of the 2025 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.
Subchapter
002
:
DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY
(Cite as: 20 V.S.A. § 2736)
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§ 2736. Municipal enforcement
(a) The legislative body of a municipality may appoint one or more trained and qualified
officials and may establish procedures to enforce rules and standards adopted under
subsection 2731(a) of this title. After considering the type of buildings within the municipality, if the Commissioner
determines that the training, qualifications, and procedures are sufficient, he or
she may assign responsibility to the municipality for enforcement of some or all of
these rules and standards. The Commissioner may also assign responsibility for enforcement
of the rules of the Access Board adopted under section 2902 of this title. The Commissioner shall provide continuing review, consultation, and assistance as
may be necessary. The assignment of responsibility may be revoked by the Commissioner
after notice and an opportunity for hearing if the Commissioner determines that the
training, qualifications, or procedures are insufficient. The assignment of responsibility
shall not affect the Commissioner’s authority under this subchapter.
(b) If a municipality assumes responsibility under subsection (a) of this section for
performing any functions that would be subject to a fee established under subsection 2731(c) of this title, the municipality may establish and collect reasonable fees for its own use, and
no fee shall be charged for the benefit of the State.
(c) Subject to rules adopted under section 2731 of this title, municipal officials appointed under this section may enter any premises in order
to carry out the responsibilities of this section. The officials may order the repair,
rehabilitation, closing, demolition, or removal of any premises to the same extent
as the Commissioner may under section 2733 of this title.
(d) Upon a determination by the Commissioner that a municipality has established sufficient
procedures for granting variances and exemptions, such variances and exemptions may
be granted to the same extent authorized under subsection 2731(e) of this title.
(e) The results of all activities conducted by municipal officials under this section
shall be reported to the Commissioner periodically upon request.
(f) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to decrease the authority of municipal
officials under other laws, including laws concerning building codes and laws concerning
housing codes. (Added 2003, No. 141 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 1, 2005.)