Do I Need A Permit? - This is the official website of Woodstock Vermont

Click here for a chart of the Permit Process

Does my application need to go to a Hearing?

Please note: If you live in the Village Design Review District, every external construction or change needs to go to two hearings (Design Review Hearing & VDRB Hearing). Applications must be in 12 days before the Design Review Hearing. Meetings are bi-monthly. Applications for Village Development Review Board Hearings need to be in 25 days before the Hearing. Call the office for deadline information.

VILLAGE:

Exempt (no permit required):
•    Fences if they comply with the Village regulations and R.O.W. requirement (See Section 513)-
**All fences in the Design Review District require a hearing.
•    Above ground pool less than 3 feet deep
•    Short-term rentals during foliage season, If the owner or primary tenant is in residence throughout the rental period.
**All other short-term rentals require a permit (Section 522 Short Term Rentals)
•    Some signs are exempt (Section 519)
•    Accessory shed less than 64 sq. ft. ( 8′ x 8′). Must meet setback provisions. However,
      **All sheds in the Design Review District require a hearing.
•    Home Occupations that meet the “exempt” qualifications (See Section 514)

Administrative Permit : (15 day appeal period) 
•    Single Family Residential construction and additions
•    Structures Accessory to a Single-family Dwelling (decks, garages, sheds, etc.)
•    Two-family Dwelling in some districts
•    Detached Apartments (See Section 510)
•    Dish Antennae over 40″ (except in Design Review District)
•    Excavation of more than 9 cubic feet
•    Fences that do not comply with the Regulations or in the Design Review District
•    Signs
•    Home Occupations that do not meet the “exempt” qualifications
•    Lot line adjustment

Permit applications that must go to Hearing: (30 day appeal period)
•    All Subdivisions, Minor & Major
•    New Commercial Units, Renovations, or Expansions
•    Construction in Overlay Zone (Scenic Ridgeline, Conservation, Flood Hazard, etc.)
•    Expansion of Nonconforming Uses & Nonconforming Structures
•    Home Enterprise / and in some cases, Home Occupation
•    Short-term rentals for period of less than thirty days  (Section 522)
•    Bed & Breakfast
•    Fences in the Design Review District

TOWN:

Exempt (no permit required):
•    Fences – must comply with Town regulations & R.O.W. requirements (Section 513)
•    Above ground pool less than 3 feet deep
•    Short-term rentals during foliage season,If the owner or primary tenant is in residence throughout the rental period.
**All other short-term rentals require a permit (Section 526 Short Term Rentals)
•    Some signs are exempt (Section 525)
•    Temporary garage placed from November 1 – April 15.
**Structure must meet all  setback requirements.
•    Accessory shed less than 64 sq. ft. and must meet setback provisions.
•    Home Occupations that meet the “exempt” qualifications (Section 516)

Administrative Permit Required: (15 day appeal period)
•    Single Family Residential construction and additions
•    Structures Accessory to a Single-family Dwelling (decks, garages, sheds..)
•    Two-family Dwelling in some districts
•    Detached Apartments (Section 509)
•    Excavation of more than 5,000 sq. ft.
•    Fences that do not comply with the Regulations
•    Signs
•    Home Occupations that do not meet the “exempt” qualifications
•    Lot line adjustment
•    Subdivision Minor (See Section 714)

Permit applications that must go to a Hearing: (30 day appeal period)
•    Subdivisions, Major
•    New Commercial Units, Renovation, or Expansion
•    Any construction in Overlay Zone (Scenic Ridgeline, Conservation, Flood Hazard)
•    Expansion of Nonconforming Uses & Nonconforming Structures
•    Bed & Breakfast
•    Home Enterprise / and in some cases, Home Occupation
•    Short-term rentals for period of less than thirty days (Section 525)
•    Any exterior changes in the Design Review District (S. Woodstock) including sheds and fences
will go to the S. Woodstock Design Review Board AND the  Town Development Review Board meeting.