Bill > S0267

This bill makes several changes to housing and land use laws, primarily aimed at encouraging residential construction by streamlining regulations and extending certain exemptions. Key provisions include repealing a section of law related to road construction as a trigger for development review, extending an exemption for priority housing projects in designated areas until July 1, 2030, and allowing for the construction of accessory dwelling units and conversion of commercial buildings to housing without permits until the same date. It also introduces exemptions for smaller housing projects and mixed-use developments in designated centers and urbanized areas, and allows municipalities to opt out of "Tier 1B" area status, which is a designation related to regional planning. Furthermore, the bill mandates that municipal plans include an analysis of housing needs and constraints, authorizes the creation of pre-approved housing designs by the Department of Housing and Community Development that municipalities must accept, and increases the annual cap on tax credits for housing development. Finally, it appropriates funds for a pilot project to explore reducing housing development costs through modular construction and establishes new positions and funding for housing programs.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/S.267