Gov. Phil Scott has signed into law S.100, a housing bill that allows higher density development in areas with sewer and water service.
According to a statement issued by Gov. Scott’s office, key provisions of S.100 include:
Affordable and Inclusive Housing Expansion: The bill supports the construction and rehabilitation of safe and affordable housing units, prioritizing the needs of low-income individuals, families, and vulnerable populations while expanding programs like the Vermont Housing Improvement Program (VHIP). S.100 also promotes inclusive and accessible housing options by updating accessibility standards in new construction and renovations.
Land Use Regulations: The bill aligns state and local land use policy to enable more homes to be built in State designated centers. This bill enables Act 250 exemptions for affordable housing in all the designated centers, including villages.
Municipal Zoning Reforms: The bill standardizes municipal zoning in residential districts served by water and sewer by lowering parking thresholds, increasing building and lot standards and permitting multiunit dwellings and shelters to be built, supporting more housing options for both low- and middle-income Vermonters (effective December 2024).
The bill includes additional provisions and directs funding to further address the needs of renters and homeowners, which will be finalized with the State Fiscal Year 2024 budget.
“As I’ve said before, we can’t build housing in the clouds,” said Department of Housing and Community Development Commissioner Josh Hanford. “This bill creates opportunities to create new and more dense housing in the places we want it, rehab previously offline units, and reform our land and zoning laws all of which will begin to address this housing crisis.”