INTRODUCTION
Listed below are links to the applications for building and zoning (land use) permits and approvals required by the Town of Bennington. Please see Table 1.1 of the Land Use and Development Regulations for more information regarding required Town of Bennington permits and approvals. NOTE that additional permits or approvals may be required by the State of Vermont. Please contact the State Permit Specialist at 802-786-5900 for information regarding any State permits or approvals.
The applications are in pdf (Portable Document Format). There is a free PDF reader from Adobe™ or Foxit PDF Reader available if you need it.
NOTE: Some permits in the PDF format may be filled out. In any case, a printout of your application is still required for processing. We cannot accept emailed permits.
Permit Applications
Application for Building and Zoning Permit – Single Family/Owner Occupied Residences: (pdf)
- When: New single family residence or expansion, accessory structure.
- Examples: House, garage, deck, porch, stairs (including expansions and/or modifications).
- Contact: Administrative Assistant, Building Inspector
- Applicable Ordinance(s): Bennington Land Use and Development Regulations, Housing Building and Life Safety Ordinance for the Town of Bennington, Vermont Fire and Building Safety Code.
Application for Building and Zoning Permit – Public Building (all buildings other than single family/owner occupied residences): (pdf)
- When: New construction, expansions, structural repairs, most renovations, all changes in use, etc.
- Examples: New commercial building, expansion of commercial building, change from residential to commercial use, change from office to retail use, renovation of apartment units, etc.
- Contact: Administrative Assistant, Building Inspector (see contact info below).
- Applicable Ordinance(s): Bennington Land Use and Development Regulations, Housing Building and Life Safety Ordinance for the Town of Bennington, Vermont Fire and Building Safety Code.
Application for Zoning Permit – Subdivision/PRD/PUD: (pdf)
- When: Division of land into two or more lots, boundary line adjustment.
- Examples: Division of 6 acres lot into two 3 acre lots, selling a strip of land to a neighbor.
- Contact: Administrative Assistant, Planning Director (see contact info below).
- Applicable Ordinance(s): Bennington Land Use and Development Regulations.
- When: All projects that require Development Review Board approval as set forth in the Bennington Land use and Development Regulations.
- Examples: Site Development Plans, Design Plans, Variances, Subdivisions, Appeals.
- Contact: Administrative Assistant, Planning Director (see contact info. below).
- Applicable Ordinance(s): Bennington Land Use and Development Regulations.
- When: Work in Town Highway Right of Way, Connection or repairs to Municipal Water/Sewer lines or storm drains.
- Examples: Driveway access (curb cut), Digging in Town right of way for any purpose, including: installation/repair to underground telephone/power/CATV/data lines, Connections or repairs to municipal sewer/water/stormwater systems.
- Contact: Highway Superintendent, Water Resources Superintendent, Administrative Assistant – 802-442-1037.
- Applicable Ordinance(s): Public Works Ordinance – Construction Ordinance for the Town of Bennington, Bennington Sewer and Water Use Ordinances and Policies.
Application for Water/Sewer Allocation: (Please contact the Water Resources Superintendent or Administrative Assistant at 802-442-1037 for information regarding the Water/Sewer Allocation process).
For a commercial project, please use: Commercial Allocation Request Form (pdf).
For a Residential Project (single family/owner occupied residence), please use Residential Allocation Request Form (pdf).
- When: Change in use or occupancy of any building, construction of new residential/commercial/industrial building.
- Examples: Convert retail store to restaurant, construct new office building.
- Contact: Water Resources Superintendent, Administrative Assistant – 802-442-1037.
- Applicable Ordinance(s): Bennington Sewer and Water Use Ordinances and Policies.
Application for Demolition/Relocation Permit: (pdf)
- When: Demolish or move all or part of any building or structure.
- Examples: Demolish old house, new manufactured home delivery, remove a porch, demolish garage.
- Contact: Administrative Assistant, Building Inspector, Planning Director (see contact info below)
- Applicable Ordinance(s): Bennington Land Use and Development Regulations, Housing Building and Life Safety Ordinance for the Town of Bennington, Vermont Fire and Building Safety Code, Bennington Sewer and Water Use Ordinances and Policies, Public Works Ordinance – Construction Ordinance for the Town of Bennington.
- When: Change existing sign or install new sign.
- Examples: Change store sign from “XYZ” to “QT” Corp., install new signs for a new business.
- Contact: Administrative Assistant, Planning Director (see contact info below).
- Applicable Ordinance(s): Bennington Sign Ordinance.
Special Events Zoning Permit:
- When: More than 100 people on Private Property for an event with temporary structures such as tents.
- Examples: A concert for a fund-raiser on private land, an event for a club or group on private land.
- Exemptions: Family or household events associated with residential use (e.g., weddings, reunions) are exempt.
- Applicable Ordinance: Bennington Land Use and Development Regulations; Section 4.20 Temporary Structures (starts on page 104)
- Associated Ordinances: If more than 75 people expected to attend, you need to contact the Bennington Police Department to discuss if a police presence is required for public safety. See the BPD Policy and Procedure for Special Events and Demonstrations.
- Requires: Development Review Board Review
- Contact: Administrative Assistant, Planning Director (see contact info below).
OTHER FORMS
Request for Certificate of Compliance: (pdf)
- When: Certification by Town that there are no known violations of Town land use (building and zoning) regulations and ordinances. Usually required by bank upon sale or re-finance of property (usually requested by Attorney representing bank or purchaser).
- Contact: Administrative Assistant (see contact info below).
Application for Vendor’s Permit and License: (pdf)
- When: Sale of goods in a place other than a permanent structure or building (on the street, from a cart or vehicle, etc.) and/or sale of goods by way of traveling from place to place.
- Examples: Hot dog cart, Ice Cream Wagon, Popcorn Wagon, etc.
- Contact: Administrative Assistant (see contact info below).
- Applicable Ordinance: Vendor’s Ordinance.
Sprinkler System Permit Application: (pdf)
Fire Suppression Permit Application: (pdf)
Fire Alarm Permit Application: (pdf)
Exhaust Hood Permit Application: (pdf)
BURN PERMITS: All outdoor burning requires a permit from the Town of Benington (camp fires, brush fires, etc.) A Campfire Permit is $10.00 and is good for the remainder of the current year. Brush Fire Permits are $5.00 and are good for a 2 week period. Please contact the Town Office for additional information 802-442-1037.
Contact Info:
Planning Director, Daniel Monks
802-442-9708 or permits@benningtonvt.org
Permitting, Planning & Code Enforcement Administrative Assistant, Whitney LeBlanc
802-447-9709 or wleblanc@benningtonvt.org
Building Inspector, Paul Dansereau
802-447-9715 or pdansereau@benningtonvt.org
Code Enforcement Officer, Bridget Gallant
802-447-9706 or bgallant@benningtonvt.org
THE INFORMATION ON THIS WEBSITE IS OFFERED AS A GENERAL GUIDE TO LAND USE PERMITTING IN BENNINGTON. PLEASE CALL THE BENNINGTON PERMITTING DEPARTMENT AT 802-442-1037 REGARDING SPECIFIC QUESTIONS AND ISSUES REGARDING BENNINGTON LAND USE PERMITS.
ALL APPLICANTS FOR A PERMIT FOR COMMERCIAL PROJECTS SHOULD CONTACT THE TOWN’S PLANNING DIRECTOR AND BUILDING INSPECTOR FOR AN INFORMAL REVIEW OF THE PROJECT BEFORE ANY PERMIT APPLICATIONS ARE SUBMITTED TO THE TOWN.