Department of Planning and Development Services Planning and Zoning

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SERVING YOUR COMMUNITY AND  HELPING SHAPE HARTFORD'S FUTURE?

THE HARTFORD PLANNING COMMISSION HAS AN OPEN SEAT

Planning Commission-Meeting Notice

Zoning Permit

Zoning Board of Adjustment-Meeting Notice

Certificates of Occupancy Compliance Form

Administrative Approval

Sign Permits

Home Occupations

Home Business

Subdivision

Site Development Plans

Conditional Use Approvals

Variances

White River Junction Design Review District

White River Junction Revitalization Plan

Flood Hazard Area Regulations

Fee Schedule

Building Code Standards

Townwide Map

Wastewater Disposal Permits

Water Supply Permits

Act 250 Permits

How to Avoid Delays

Return to Top of Page >>

Zoning Permits

A zoning permit is required prior to any land development in the Town of Hartford. Land development is defined as the division of a parcel into two or more parcels; the construction, reconstruction, conversion, structural alteration, relocation or enlargement of any building or structures; excavation in excess of 20 cubic yards of material per year or filling in excess of 200 cubic yards per year; any change in use of any building or other structure, or land, or extension of prior use.

Upon review of a zoning permit application, the Zoning Administrator will determine if any further reviews are necessary in order to approve the zoning permit. Once a complete zoning permit application is submitted, it is reviewed and a decision is rendered within 10 business days. The State of Vermont requires a fifteen-day appeal period once an application is approved before the permit is effective and issued. Once a zoning permit is issued, the applicant must start work within six months and be completed with the project within two years of the date of issue or the zoning permit will become null and void. One six-month extension to both time periods may be granted by the Planning Commission prior to the start or completion dates.

ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

The division of a parcel into two or more parcels, revisions to a previously approved subdivision or other division of land for the purpose of sale, lease, license, and land development requires subdivision approval by the Planning Commission. The Town of Hartford has regulations regarding the subdivision of land. Copies are available at the Department of Planning and Development Services. Subdivision applications require a public hearing with the Planning Commission. Public hearings are held every three weeks. Copies of the public hearing schedule are available at the Department of Planning and Development Services or by clicking on "Hartford PC/ZBA Meeting Schedule on the Department's Home Page.

• Compliance with other provisions of the Zoning Regulations.

Site Development Plan standards and other zoning regulations that may apply to a project are located in the Hartford Zoning Regulations. Copies are available at the Department of Planning and Development Services. Most site development plan applications require a public hearing with the Planning Commission. Public hearings are generally held every five weeks. Copies of the public hearing schedule are available at the Department of Planning and Development Services or by clicking here. For more information, please contact Zoning Administrator Jo-Ann Ells at 295-3075.

Conditional Use Permits

Each zoning district breaks down uses into two categories; permitted uses and conditional uses. Permitted uses are allowed with a zoning permit and sometimes require site development plan approval by the Planning Commission. Conditional uses are allowed if specific criteria (listed below) are met to ensure that the use is appropriate for the area. Upon receipt of a zoning permit application, the Zoning Administrator will determine if a Conditional Use Permit is required. An application for a conditional use permit is reviewed by the Zoning Board of Adjustment, who reviews the application to ensure that the following standards are met:

• The capacity of existing and planned community facilities.

• The character of the area affected.

• The capacity of the roads and highways in the vicinity.

• The objectives of the zoning district.

• Any town bylaw in effect.

• Utilization of renewable energy resources.

Almost all Conditional Uses also require Site Development Plan approval by the Planning Commission. Conditional Use Permit standards and other zoning regulations that may apply to a project are located in the Hartford Zoning Regulations. Copies are available at the Department of Planning and Development Services. Most conditional use permit applications require a public hearing with the Planning Commission. Public hearings are held every five weeks. Copies of the public hearing schedule are available at the Department of Planning and Development Services. For more information, please contact Zoning Administrator Jo-Ann Ells at 295-3075 or (jells@hartford-vt.org).

Variances

The purpose of a variance is to gain relief from a provision of the Zoning Regulations. A variance allows an applicant to depart from the requirements of the Zoning Regulations provided that the applicant can prove adherence to the variance criteria as established by State Statute. The Zoning Board of Adjustment reviews variance applications based on the following criteria:

• That there are unique physical circumstances or conditions peculiar to the property.

• Due to such physical circumstances or conditions, there is no possibility that the property can be developed with strict conformity with the provisions of the Zoning Regulations, and a variance is necessary to enable reasonable use of the property.

• The unnecessary hardship has not been created by the applicant.

• The variance does not alter the essential character of the neighborhood, substantially or permanently impair the appropriate use or development of adjacent property, reduce access to renewable energy resources or be detrimental to the public welfare.

• The variance will represent the minimum variance that will afford relief and will represent the least deviation possible form the Zoning Regulations.

Upon receipt of a zoning permit application, the Zoning Administrator will determine if a variance is required. Variance applications require a public hearing with the Planning Commission. Public hearings are held every three weeks. Copies of the public hearing schedule are available at the Department of Planning and Development Services.

Flood Hazard Area Regulations

The Town of Hartford regulates development within flood hazard areas as defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Copies are available at the Department of Planning and Development Services. For more information, please contact Zoning Administrator Jo-Ann Ells at 295-3075 or click here.

Fee Schedule

The following is a list of fees for each type of permit and service provided by the Department of Planning and Development Services: