Vermont S 192: An act relating to municipal authority to compel the cleaning or repair of premises

Bill Text

BILL AS INTRODUCED S.192
2026 Page 1 of 3

VT LEG #385947 v.1
S.192 1
Introduced by Senator Clarkson 2
Referred to Committee on 3
Date: 4
Subject: Municipal and county government; regulatory provisions; police 5
powers of municipalities; miscellaneous regulatory powers; 6
enumeration of powers; ordinances; authority to compel the cleaning 7
or repair of premises 8
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to authorize 9
municipalities to adopt ordinances compelling the cleaning or repair of 10
premises that are deemed vacant, blighted, or hazardous to the public. 11
An act relating to municipal authority to compel the cleaning or repair of 12
premises 13
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 14
Sec. 1. 24 V.S.A. § 2291 is amended to read: 15
§ 2291. ENUMERATION OF POWERS 16
For the purpose of promoting the public health, safety, welfare, and 17
convenience, a town, city, or incorporated village shall have the following 18
powers: 19
* * * 20

BILL AS INTRODUCED S.192
2026 Page 2 of 3

VT LEG #385947 v.1
(13)(A) To establish health and safety standards for premises within the 1
municipality and compel the cleaning or repair of any premises that in the 2
judgment of: 3
(i) the legislative body determines to be vacant, blighted, or 4
damaging to the general appearance of the municipality; 5
(ii) may injure other property in the vicinity; or 6
(iii) is dangerous to the health or safety of the public and to 7
establish health and safety standards for premises within the municipality in 8
order to protect the public or prevent physical injury to other properties in the 9
vicinity. 10
(B) To control the removal of rubbish, waste, and objectionable 11
material from any premises that is subject to this subdivision (13). 12
(C) To clean or repair any premises that is subject to this subdivision 13
(13) and recover all expenses incident to the cleaning or repair. The expenses 14
incurred shall constitute a lien on the property in the same manner and to the 15
same extent as taxes assessed on the grand list. All procedures and remedies 16
for the collection of taxes shall apply to the collection of expenses pursuant to 17
this subdivision (13). Prior to incurring any expenses pursuant to this 18
subdivision (C), the town, city, or incorporated village shall adopt rules 19
governing the compelled cleaning or repair of a premises, including provisions 20

BILL AS INTRODUCED S.192
2026 Page 3 of 3

VT LEG #385947 v.1
for an administrative appeals process and notice pursuant to 32 V.S.A. 1
§ 5252(a)(3). 2
* * * 3
(24) Upon the determination by a municipal building inspector, health 4
officer, or fire marshal that a building within the boundaries of the town, city, 5
or incorporated village is uninhabitable, to recover all expenses incident to the 6
maintenance of the uninhabitable building with the expenses to constitute a 7
lien on the property in the same manner and to the same extent as taxes 8
assessed on the grand list, and all procedures and remedies for the collection of 9
taxes shall apply to the collection of those expenses; provided, however, that 10
the town, city, or incorporated village has adopted rules to determine the 11
habitability of a building, including provisions for notice in accordance with 32 12
V.S.A. § 5252(3) 5252(a)(3) to the building’s owner prior to incurring 13
expenses and including provisions for an administrative appeals process. 14
* * * 15
Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE 16
This act shall take effect on July 1, 2026. 17