MONTPELIER – The Vermont Land Use Review Board (LURB) is holding four public engagement sessions across the state to get input on draft Tier 3 area rules and mapping for critical natural resource areas. All four meetings will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with both in-person and remote participation. Remote connection information is available on the meeting agenda, available online at act250.vermont.gov/tier-3-rulemaking-and-report
Meetings are October 21 in Morrisville at Morristown at the Tegu Building Meeting Room, 43 Portland Street; October 22 in Rutland at the Rutland Regional Planning Commission Office, 16 Evelyn Street (2nd floor); October 28 in Newport at the Newport City Gateway Center Meeting Room, 84 Fyfe Drive and October 29 in Windsor at the Windsor Selectboard Meeting Room, 29 Union Street.
Vermont’s Act 250 development review system is undergoing changes following the passage of Act 181 of 2024. The Legislature has tasked the LURB with developing rules and reviewing regional plans and maps to implement a new tiered framework of jurisdiction. While Act 250 jurisdiction is shrinking in downtown and village centers (Tier 1 areas), it is expanding in natural resource areas (Tier 3 areas). The Tier 3 rules and mapping will determine what sorts of development requires an Act 250 permit in these critical natural resource areas.
The goal of these meetings is to get public input before the LURB finalizes the Tier 3 rules. The LURB is also getting suggestions from a working group of stakeholders. An overview presentation, draft rules, map viewer, overall schedule and various other details are available on the Tier 3 project webpage at act250.vermont.gov/tier-3-rulemaking-and-report
Engagement will continue throughout the process, leading to proposed rules and a formal public hearing in May 2026. Act 250 jurisdiction in Tier 3 areas, pursuant to the adopted rules, will begin on December 31, 2026. Questions and comments can be submitted via email at any time to [email protected].
