Permits

2023 Flood: What Damage-Related Repairs or Other Work Requires a Permit, and Does Anything Need to Change

1. Cleaning and debris removal does not require permits during this event.
   
   
2. Emergency fixes will also not require immediate permits but once that initial emergency stabilization and repair work are complete - permanent fixes to damaged areas will require River Hard Area Permits and/or Building Permits. For example, you may fix your damaged electric panel on a temporary basis in order to get the power back on in a building, but you will later be required to elevate that panel to meet the requirements for permanent changes.

We require elevating utilities that have had flood damage to ensure structures are safer and more resilient to floods in the future. It's also a requirement of the National Flood Insurance Program and Community Rating System which Montpelier is a part of - and which allow for reduced flood insurance rates for all covered properties in the City.

Every property will need to be inspected to determine the degree of damage, and what is required for compliance with the various codes and regulations. Reach out to the Planning Department as soon as possible - as detailed below

How Do You Know What Needs to Be Elevated & How High?

Planning Department Staff will work you and your contractor on a case-by-case basis to answer those questions. Some items may not need a permit at all and others may need special certifications to determine compliance. 

This is the same for determining necessary elevations. You may or may not need a survey depending on where you are. 
YOU SHOULD REACH OUT TO US SO WE CAN GET YOU THE MOST ACCURATE INFORMATION WE CAN. 

What Are Your Next Steps for Flood-Related Work?

1. If you haven’t yet met with State and City code inspectors, please reach out to Montpelier’s Building Inspector, Michelle Savary, at msavary@montpelier-vt.org as soon as possible to make an appointment to inspect the damage with her and obtain guidance on necessary immediate repairs and any necessary permanent renovations. 
   
   
2. Any permanent repairs, including replacement of utilities require applicable permits. As soon as possible – email the City’s Planning and Zoning Administrator, Meredith Crandall, at mcrandall@montpelier-vt.org, and Audra Brown, the Planning and Zoning Assistant and Certified Flood Plain Manager, at abrown@montpelier-vt.org, with the details of the damage, including:
   
   

   •    The address in question;

   •    Details of the flood damage incurred;

   •    What emergency repairs have been made already;

   •    Plans for permanent repairs or renovations; and

   •    Any photo documentation you may have.
   
   Staff will respond with guidance on further action, including necessary permits and how to apply for them. 
   PLEASE DO NOT CALL OUR OFFICE. OUR PHONE SERVICE HAS NOT BEEN RESTORED AND WE HAVE NO WAY OF RETURNING CALLS AT THIS TIME.
   
   

   Do I Need a Permit for Non-Flood Related Projects?

One of the most common ways to implement a plan in the country is through the use of regulations like zoning and building codes. They are important local powers, enabled under state law and our City Charter, to protect the health, safety, and welfare of Montpelier residents and visitors.

For many, local zoning bylaws are long and confusing documents. For that reason, the permits division has as our mission to be a guide for applicants. Staff will help with the basics (what district am I in?), inform applicants of their rights (can I put an office above my garage?), instruct applicants of the requirements (do I need to provide a site plan with the application?) and navigate the process to make sure applicants stay in compliance with the requirements of the regulations.

Our goal is also to make the process as efficient as possible. As such, most administrative permits are issued within one business day of when a complete application is received. We continually look for ways to minimize delays in any application that requires a hearing. While we may not be able to make the experience for getting a permit fun, we do hope to make it less stressful.

We strongly encourage anyone interested in developing a project in the city to contact the Department before starting. Staff can determine if the work requires a permit and, if so, how to move forward to avoid delays later on.

Below are links to each of the permit types that the Planning Department administers including downloadable application forms.