White River Junction’s natural beauty and visual and historic character are important assets to the Town, and contribute substantially to its economic base. In order to protect and enhance these attributes, the Design Review process ensures that development considers the existing architecture, site layout, streetscape design, and sign placement and design. Although reuse of existing buildings is encouraged wherever possible, new construction is appropriate when designed with sensitivity to the historic character and design features in the District. Specific recommendations for development and redevelopment of the Downtown are made in the White River Junction Design Plan (2001) the White River Junction Design Guidelines (2001) and the White River Junction Design Regulations and Map which incorporated into the Zoning Regulations by reference.

Within this designated district, all structures that are erected, reconstructed, altered, restored, moved, or demolished, or any type of land development, such as fencing, landscaping and signs, must be in compliance with the Design Review sections detailed in the Bylaw. Not all improvements require review by the five-member Design Review Committee, which makes recommendations to the Planning Commission.

To find out more, contact Lori Hirshfield at 802-295-3075 or lhirshfield@hartford-vt.org

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.

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ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

Certificates of Occupancy

After the issuance of a zoning permit and prior to occupying a structure, the applicant must obtain a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO ensures that all approved projects are in compliance with the Zoning Regulations and any other required conditions of approval for the project. Contact the Department at 802-295-3075 to arrange an inspection, for issuance of a CO. Be certain to complete the CO Application - Certificate of Compliance.

Sign Permits

The Sign Ordinance governs many aspects of signs and the standards vary by zoning district. Most signs require a sign permit. A list of exceptions is available at the Department of Planning and Development Services.

Home Occupations/Home Businesses

The purpose of the home occupation/home business permits are to regulate the usage of homes as offices and businesses. A zoning permit is required for both.

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Subdivision

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.

Zoning permit application forms are available at the Department of Planning and Development Services. For more information, please contact Zoning Administrator Jo-Ann Ells (jells@hartford-vt.org) or Assistant Zoning Administrator Matt Osborn at 295-3075 (mosborn@hartford-vt.org).

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Site Development Plans

Any use other than single-family, two-family dwellings or any structure and improvement to such use may not be established, expanded or modified without site development plan approval by the Planning Commission. Home occupations, forestry and agricultural uses are also exempt of site development plan approval. Upon the receipt of a zoning permit application, the Zoning Administrator will determine if site development plan approval is required. The Planning Commission reviews Site Development Plans with respect to the following:

Traffic circulation between the site and the street network.
On-site circulation, parking and loading facilities.
Landscaping, screening and setbacks.
Provision of safety and convenience of pedestrians, bicyclists and handicapped persons.
Protection of renewable energy resource.

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.

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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).

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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 or setback waiver 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 (jells@hartford-vt.org) or 295-3075.

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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:

Zoning Permits
.	Fixed Fee	Per Unit Fee*
Single-Family Dwelling	$150	$.05 square foot
Two-Family Dwelling	$275	$.05 square foot
Multi-Family Dwelling	$160/unit	$.05 square foot
Motel	$60/room	$.05 square foot
Commercial Structure/Use	$275	$.05 square foot
Industrial Structure/Use	$275	$.05 square foot
Accessory Structure (decks, sheds, gazebos, pools)	$40	$.05 square foot
Residential Alteration/Addition (barns, garages)	$75	$.05 square foot
Commercial/Industrial Alteration/Addition	$125	$.05 square foot
Signs (new, refacing)	$30	$.05 square foot
WRJ Design Review (Administrative)	$50
Minimum Fee	$30	$.05 square foot
Town Clerk filing fee for all permits	$10.00	As of 7/1/09
* based on footprint of structure and number of floors, including finished basement, if any.

Applications to Design Review/Planning Commission/Zoning Board of Adjustment
All ZBA Applications	$100
Site Development Plan	$100	plus the square root of the gross leasable area or the square root of the activity footprint for other uses
Lot Line Adjustment Between Existing Lots	$100
Minor Subdivision	$125	plus $50 per new lot
Major Subdivision	$250	plus $50 per new lot
Residential Planned Development	$250	plus $50 per new lot or unit created
Non-Residential Planned Development	$250	plus the square root of the gross leasable area or the square root of the activity footprint for other uses
Planned Development Amendment	$100	plus the square root of the gross leasable area or the square root of the activity footprint for other uses
WRJ Design Review Committee	$50	includes Planning Commission approval if required
Town Master Plan Amendment	$550
Town Zoning Regulation Amendment	$550
Administrative Approval	$10	plus cost of applicable zoning permit