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H 730VERMONTSession 2025-2026State Billin committee

High Impact

Vermont Bill H.730 Alters Act 250 Tier 3 Rules, Extends Housing Exemptions, and Requires Property Value Assessments to Account for Regulations

Original title: An act relating to Act 250 location-based jurisdiction

Last action · January 21, 2026: Read first time and referred to the Committee on EnvironmentSponsors: Laura Sibilia and 28 others

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What This Bill Would Do

Vermont House Bill 730 extends certain interim housing permit exemptions under to July 1, 2027, delays the deadline for final Tier 3 rulemaking to February 1, 2027, and requires local assessing officials to account for Act 250 development requirements when appraising property values. The measure also appropriates $20,000 to the Land Use Review Board for property owner notice requirements.

Why it matters

Property owners in designated Tier 2 or s receive direct written notice before rule hearings, developers of certain housing projects keep temporary permit exemptions for a longer duration, and municipal listers must adjust property appraisals to reflect development restrictions.

Background

Act 250 is Vermont's landmark 1970 land use and development law designed to manage large-scale developments and protect the state's natural environment. context

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Property owners in Tier 2 or Tier 3 areas

Property owners receive mandatory written notice prior to public meetings and may have their property appraisal values adjusted to account for Act 250 requirements.

Directly affected

Housing developers

Developers benefit from extended interim permit exemptions for specific housing projects through July 1, 2027.

Directly affected

Assessing officials

Municipal listers and assessing officials must account for Act 250 development requirements when determining parcel appraisal values.

Key Facts

The Land Use Review Board must file a final proposed rule for Tier 3 on or before February 1, 2027, extending the previous deadline from February 1, 2026.
At least 30 days before public meetings on Tier 3 rules, the Board must mail written notice to every property owner within a Tier 2 or 3 area and properties at or above 2,500 feet in elevation.
Interim housing project permit exemptions under Act 250 are extended from January 1, 2027, to July 1, 2027.
Assessing officials must account for any impact on the fair market value of a parcel due to development requirements under 10 V.S.A. chapter 151 starting January 1, 2027.

Show all 7 facts

The Department of Taxes must publish guidance for Vermont assessing officials regarding Act 250 parcel valuation on or before October 1, 2027.
In fiscal year 2027, $20,000 is appropriated from the General Fund to the Land Use Review Board for the location-based jurisdiction notice requirement.
Appropriate municipal panels reviewing permits in Tier 1A areas must include conditions from previously issued Act 250 permits unless specific exceptions apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

What deadline change does H.730 make for Tier 3 rules?

The bill extends the deadline for the Land Use Review Board to file a final proposed rule with the Secretary of State and Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules from February 1, 2026, to February 1, 2027.

How will property owners know if their land is subject to Tier 2 or Tier 3 rules?

The Board must mail written notice to every property owner within a Tier 2 or , as well as properties located at or above 2,500 feet in elevation, at least 30 days before holding a public meeting on the proposed rules.

How does the bill affect property tax assessments?

Starting January 1, 2027, assessing officials must account for any impact that development requirements have on the fair market value of a parcel when determining its appraisal value.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

1 action

Jan 21, 2026HouseIntroduced
Read first time and referred to the Committee on Environment

Version history

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