Housing

passed · Vermont · House Mar 25, 2026

H 537: An act relating to the right to grow vegetable gardens

This bill prohibits landlords and common interest communities (like HOAs) from banning vegetable gardens in tenants' or unit owners' private areas. It requires associations to approve garden requests within 60 days (deeming them approved if not denied in writing), makes restrictive rules unenforceable, and holds owners responsible for maintenance costs and disclosure to future buyers. Landlords may set reasonable limits on garden appearance, safety, and pesticide use but cannot block gardens in approved areas. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not apply to condominiums.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlords/HOAs from banning tenant vegetable gardens, strengthening tenant rights and control over private living spaces per bill's explicit language.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2026

H 746: An act relating to potable water supply and wastewater system permitting

H.746 simplifies permitting rules for potable water and wastewater systems to support housing development in Vermont. It requires a minimum 75-foot distance between water and wastewater systems (unless site conditions require more), allows public buildings like schools to switch uses without redesign, and sets new design standards for systems under paved areas. The bill reduces required water flow rates to enable compact housing, exempts village infrastructure projects from certain permits, and removes land use taxes for water system construction on enrolled agricultural land. These changes aim to lower development costs while maintaining health and environmental protections.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingSimplifies water/wastewater permitting to enable housing development via reduced flow rates, compact housing design, and streamlined approvals for housing projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development

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signed · Vermont · House Mar 25, 2026

H 790: An act relating to fiscal year 2026 budget adjustments

H.790 adjusts specific line items in Vermont's fiscal year 2026 budget, primarily modifying existing funding allocations rather than creating new programs. It increases renter rebate funding from $9.5 million to $11 million (a $1.5 million increase) and decreases homeowner rebate funding from $19 million to $17.5 million (a $1.5 million reduction). The bill also raises legislative counsel funding by $720,000 (from $4.88 million to $5.60 million) and makes minor adjustments to other state agency budgets. These changes directly affect renters and homeowners through rebate program funding levels, while state government operations are impacted through revised budget allocations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases renter rebates (lower-income focus) while decreasing homeowner rebates, shifting funds toward middle/lower income taxpayers via budget reallocation.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases renter rebate funding by $1.5M (from $9.5M to $11M), directly advancing affordable housing access for tenants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Homeownership Renters

signed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 757: An act relating to manufactured homes and limited equity cooperatives

This bill proposes key changes to manufactured home ownership and limited equity cooperative housing in Vermont. It requires specific warranty deeds for mobile homes financed as real estate, exempts mobile homes from sales tax (shifting to property transfer tax), and removes property taxes for mobile home parks organized as limited equity cooperatives. The bill also prohibits subleasing in new limited equity co-ops unless hardship is proven, classifies them as nonprofits serving low/moderate-income residents for state funding, and allows manufactured housing to be treated equally with other housing in municipal zoning. These changes directly affect manufactured home owners, mobile home park residents, and limited equity cooperative corporations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts mobile homes from sales tax and removes property taxes for low-income housing co-ops, providing tax relief to target demographic.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes property taxes for LECs (affordable housing for low/moderate-income) and exempts mobile homes from sales tax, making housing more affordable. Classifies LECs as nonprofits serving low/moderate-income, advancing affordable housing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Zoning

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 238: An act relating to revenue for education and housing development

S.238 creates two new revenue streams to fund housing and education: a 2% surcharge on short-term rental stays (like Airbnb) and a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. The rental surcharge will directly affect short-term rental operators, while the beverage tax applies to manufacturers and sellers of sugary drinks (excluding medical uses). Revenue from both taxes will flow into the Housing Investments Special Fund (to build/repair housing for low-income Vermonters) and the Education Fund. The bill explicitly targets housing for households earning under 120% of the Area Median Income, with a focus on making housing affordable for low-income residents.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new taxes (rental surcharge, beverage tax) to fund housing/education programs via dedicated state funds, directly advancing public service funding.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates revenue streams (short-term rental surcharge, soda tax) to fund Housing Investments Special Fund for low-income housing development and repairs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Property Development

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 23, 2026

S 301: An act relating to miscellaneous amendments to the prohibitions on discrimination

This bill, S.301 ("Vermont Civil Rights Sovereignty and Equal Protection Act of 2026"), modernizes Vermont’s civil rights laws by expanding protections against discrimination in public accommodations and housing. It directly affects all Vermont residents by adding gender identity, immigration status, crime victim status, and other characteristics to protected classes, and redefines "harassment" to be unlawful regardless of severity. Key provisions include creating a state-funded Civil Rights Coordinating Council and Special Fund to enforce protections independently of federal policy, and requiring state agencies to combat housing segregation. The bill also updates definitions to clarify that discrimination includes barriers restricting access to housing or services based on protected characteristics.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly expands housing anti-discrimination protections by adding gender identity, immigration status, and other classes to protected categories, strengthening tenant rights.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill explicitly adds 'immigration status' to protected classes, prohibiting discrimination against immigrants in public accommodations and housing.95% confidence

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 565: An act relating to security deposits

H 565 limits security deposits for landlords and mobile home park owners to three months' rent or lot rent, whichever applies. Landlords must hold all security deposits in interest-bearing accounts for tenants' benefit, with accrued interest not counting toward the cap. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, allowing existing deposits above the limit to remain until that date, but requiring them to be moved into interest-bearing accounts within 30 days after July 1, 2026. It directly affects residential tenants, mobile home leaseholders, and their property owners.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits security deposits to 3 months' rent and requires interest-bearing accounts, directly strengthening tenant protections and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 15, 2026

H 702: An act relating to criminal trespass and residing on land or premises of another person without authority

H.702, the "Vermont Squatter Reform Act," makes it a felony to enter or reside on someone else's property without permission, with enhanced penalties if property damage exceeds $1,000. It also bans presenting fake lease agreements with false material facts for the purpose of occupying property. The bill expands fast-track court procedures for landlords to remove unlawful occupants who entered without authorization, streamlining eviction processes. This directly affects individuals occupying land or premises without legal right and landlords seeking to evict them.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes squatting with felony penalties and fast-track evictions, expanding criminalization rather than advancing reform or protecting rights.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingStrengthens property rights by criminalizing trespass and streamlining evictions for unauthorized occupants, directly addressing a component of housing policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Tenant Rights

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2026

H 748: An act relating to regional plan future land use maps

H.748 amends Vermont's regional land use planning maps to clarify and update land use categories affecting development. It adds specific requirements for "village areas" (e.g., needing public water or adequate wastewater disposal) and defines "transition or infill areas" to encourage higher-density redevelopment while banning new commercial strip development that could harm existing commercial districts. The bill also creates a new "designated neighborhood" status for areas adjacent to village centers, prioritizing climate resilience and infill development within workforce housing zones near job-rich census tracts. These changes, effective July 1, 2026, directly impact municipalities and developers by shaping where and how new construction can occur under state land use regulations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEncourages higher-density redevelopment in transition areas and bans commercial strip development that harms neighborhoods, directly advancing housing supply and development policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

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passed · Vermont · House Mar 18, 2026

H 753: An act relating to utility service disconnections and ratepayer protections

This bill, the "Vermont Energy Equity Law" (H 753), directly affects residential utility customers in Vermont by preventing forced disconnections under specific circumstances. It requires the Public Utility Commission to adopt rules banning disconnections during extreme heat and mandating that utilities halt disconnections if a physician certifies a health risk from service loss. Utilities must also create plans to reduce involuntary disconnections to the lowest feasible level in their service areas. The law aims to protect vulnerable households while aligning utility operations with state energy policy goals.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPrevents utility disconnections during health risks, protecting ratepayers per energy policy indicators of consumer protection in utilities.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requires utilities to halt disconnections if physician certifies health risk, protecting vulnerable residents from service loss that could endanger health. Directly safeguards healthcare access through utility protections.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents utility disconnections during health risks, protecting tenants from forced displacement and ensuring housing stability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Utility Regulation

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