Staff
Harmony Cism – Administrative Officer & Planning Coordinator
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30am-4pm, Friday-8:30am-1pm
Contact
Phone: (802) 878-4587
Email: zoning_admin@westfordvt.us
*Staff highly recommends scheduling a pre-application meeting to discuss your proposal*
Act 181 Working Group
In 2024, Vermont passed Act 181 to encourage new housing by reducing permitting requirements (known as Act 250) and directing state funds to areas that are planned for growth. Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) is working with each municipality in Chittenden County to recommend where to make it easier to build housing and businesses, and where to prioritize other land uses like recreation and agriculture. The new Future Land Use (FLU) map will guide development in Chittenden County by designating areas for growth, conservation and other purposes based on environmental, infrastructure, and community factors.
Meeting Notes & Upcoming Agenda
March 11, 2025 Westford Act 181 Working Group Notes
April 1, 2025 Westford Act 181 Working Group Notes
April 16, 2025 Westford Act 181 Working Group Notes
View Meeting Recordings HERE
Act 181 FAQ
No! This is not a zoning map and has no regulatory effect on zoning or development. A Future Land Use Map doesn’t directly change zoning classifications or affect existing property usage, instead it serves as a guide for future development. This map is a broad overview of how land should be used in the future, but it is not a zoning map or regulatory document.
The Future Land Use Map is more of a long-term vision, while zoning maps are current, legally binding framework. The future land use map is used as a guide for policy making and may influence future zoning updates. Any zoning changes will go through a formal public review process before being adopted.
CCRPC has published several materials that help to explain Act 181’s impact on regional and municipal planning. This one-page summary of the Future Land Use map, this 5-minute video and 3-page summary of the mapping process, and this graphic about land use categories all help to summarize how Act 181 relates to regional planning.
There are two primary ways to review the draft map and provide comments: You can review this draft map via an interactive mapping and comment tool, or you can view a PDF of the map and send comments via email to Taylor Newton at tnewton@ccrpcvt.org. Comments will be accepted through Monday, May 19, 2025.
Planning & Zoning FAQs
A permit is required for the following:
Zoning Permits are required for land development.
Defined as:
(1) Constructing, reconstructing, converting, structurally altering, relocating, or enlarging any building or structure
(2) Mining, excavating, filling, or grading land
(3) Commencing, changing, or extending the use of land or a structure.
Boundary Line Adjustment Permits are required to move a property boundary.
Subdivision Permits are required to divide a parcel into two or more lots.
Site Plan Permits are required for nonresidential development.
Exceptions:
(1) Construction of a primitive camp, single family or two-family dwelling, or any development ancillary to a single-family or two-family dwelling, including but not limited to an accessory dwelling or home occupation that does not involve a structure of more than 1,000 square feet.
(2) Development within and in conformance with the standards of the Form Based Code Overlay District
(3) Development for the purpose of complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or applicable fire, health, or building codes (e.g. ramps, elevators, entryways, fire escapes, stairs, etc.)
(4) A minor expansion or intensification of a pre-existing use in conformance with all applicable provisions of these regulations that does not involve increasing in a 10 year period:
(a) The amount of on-site parking by more than 3 spaces;
(b) The footprint of a structure by more than 1,000 square feet: or
(c) The footprint of outdoor storage, display, or service areas by more than 2,000 square feet.
Conditional Use Permits are required for nonresidential development listed as a conditional use in the zoning district and/or land development within the Water Resource Overlay District and/or Flood Hazard Overlay District.
Waivers or Variance Permits are required to waive and/or vary the Westford Land Use & Development Regulations.
Refer to the Westford Land Use & Development Regulations for more information.
* Please contact the Westford Planning & Zoning Department to discuss your proposal and confirm whether permits are needed.
Harmony Cism, Administrative Officer & Planning Coordinator
(802) 878.4587
zoning_admin@westfordvt.us
*Please note that your project may also require a State Permit. Please visit the State of Vermont Permit Navigator to determine whether state permits are required.
Development Review Application– printable/downloadable PDF
Development Review Application – online fillable form
The appropriate Application Requirement Checklist (below) must be completed and submitted with a Development Review Application and associated application fee from the Development Fee Schedule (also below). For more information visit Planning & Zoning.
Sketch Plan Review Application Checklist
Preliminary Application Requirement Checklist
Final Application Requirement Checklist
Conditional Use & Site Plan Application Requirement Checklist
Waiver & Variance Application Requirement Checklist
Appeal Application Requirement Checklist
Zoning Bylaw Statement and Certification – “Certificate of Compliance”
Zoning Permit Application – printable/downloadable PDF
Zoning Permit Application – online fillable form
Certificate of Occupancy – printable/downloadable PDF
Certificate of Occupancy – online fillable form
Boundary Line Adjustment Application – printable/downloadable PDF
Boundary Line Adjustment Application – online fillable form
TAX CREDITS for improvements to multifamily residential and/or commercial structures/uses located within the Designated Village.
Neighborhood Development Area Designation
STATE PERMITTING, LAND GAINS TAX & COURT APPEAL benefits for housing development located within the Designated Neighborhood Area.
What is farming?
(a) the cultivation or other use of land for growing food, fiber, Christmas trees, maple sap, or horticultural and orchard crops; or
(b) the raising, feeding or management of livestock, poultry, fish or bees; or
(c) the operation of greenhouses; or
(d) the production of maple syrup; or
(e) the on-site storage, preparation and sale of agricultural products principally produced on the farm; or
(f) the on-site storage, preparation, production, and sale of fuel or power from agricultural products or wastes principally produced on the farm; or
(g) the raising, feeding, or management of four or more equines owned or boarded by the farmer, including training, showing, and providing instruction and lessons in riding, training, and the management of equines.
Vermont Required Agricultural Practices Rule
What is a farm structure?
A structure that is used by a person for farming including a silo, a building to house livestock or raise horticultural or agronomic plants, or customarily used to carry out the agricultural practices defined in Section 3.2 of these rules. It includes a barnyard or waste management system, either of which is created from an assembly of materials including the supporting fill necessary for structural integrity, but excludes a dwelling for human habitation. A farm structure also must be used by a person who can demonstrate the minimum threshold criteria as found in Section 3.1 of these rules.
Section 3.1: Persons engaged in farming and the agricultural practices as defined in Section 3.2 of this rule and who meet the minimum threshold criteria for applicability of this rule as found in Section 3.1(a) – (g) must meet all applicable Required Agricultural Practices conditions, restrictions, and operating standards. Persons engaged in farming who are in compliance with these conditions, restrictions, and operating standards, as applicable, shall be presumed to not have a discharge of agricultural wastes to waters of the State. Compliance with the Required Agricultural Practices Rule is required if a person:
(a) is required to be permitted or certified by the Secretary, consistent with the requirements of 6 V.S.A. Chapter 215 and this rule; or
(b) has produced an annual gross income from the sale of agricultural products of $2,000.00 or more in an average year; or
(c) is preparing, tilling, fertilizing, planting, protecting, irrigating, and harvesting crops for sale on a farm that is no less than 4.0 contiguous acres in size; or
(d) is raising, feeding, or managing at least the following number of adult livestock on a farm that is no less than 4.0 contiguous acres in size:
(1) four equines;
(2) five cattle, cows, or American bison;
(3) 15 swine;
(4) 15 goats;
(5) 15 sheep;
(6) 15 cervids;
(7) 50 turkeys;
(8) 50 geese;
(9) 100 laying hens;
(10) 250 broilers, pheasant, Chukar partridge, or Coturnix quail;
(11) three camelids;
(12) four ratites;
(13) 30 rabbits;
(14) 100 ducks;
(15) 1,000 pounds of cultured trout; or
(16) other livestock types, combinations, or numbers as designated by the Secretary based upon or resulting from the impacts upon water quality consistent with this rule; or
(e) is raising, feeding, or managing other livestock types, combinations, and numbers, or managing crops or engaging in other agricultural practices on less than 4.0 contiguous acres in size that the Secretary has determined, after the opportunity for a hearing, to be causing adverse water quality impacts and in a municipality where no ordinances are in place to manage the activities causing the water quality impacts; or
(f) is managed by a farmer filing with the Internal Revenue Service a 1040(F) income tax statement in at least one of the past two years; or
(g) has a prospective business or farm management plan, approved by the Secretary, describing how the farm will meet the threshold requirements of this section.
Vermont Required Agricultural Practices Rule
Why does it matter?
Individuals conducting “farming” and/or constructing a “farm structure” per the definitions above do not fall under local land use and development jurisdiction, but rather must conform to the State’s rules and requirements (see below).
***IMPORTANT ****
The Westford Administrative Officer determines whether an operation and/or structure meets the State of Vermont’s definition of “farming” and/or “farm structure”.
Even if the State definitions are met, “farm structures” must meet local setback requirements unless a variance is granted by the Agency of Agriculture, Foods & Markets.
If the Administrative Officer determines you do not meet the State’s definitions of “farming” and/or “farm structure” all local land use and development regulations apply to your property. Visit the Land Use & Development Regulations page or Planning & Zoning Office for more information.
Farm structures may not be used for non-farming purposes without first receiving a change of use permit from the Westford Administrative Officer. In order to receive said permit the Applicant must prove the structure MEETS ALL THE LOCAL LAND USE & DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS.
All individuals conducting “farming” operations and/or owning “farm structures” MUST ABIDE BY THESE RULES AND REQUIREMENTS. STATE PERMITS AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS MAY BE REQUIRED.
What is silviculture?
The growing and harvesting of trees or timber under proper forest management for purposes other than their fruit in accordance with accepted management practices for silviculture (forestry) as defined by the Commissioner of Forests, Parks, and Recreation [§4413(d)], including the construction of logging roads and bridges, provided the roads and bridges are used exclusively for agriculture or forestry. For purposes of these bylaws, the term “Forestry” shall also include the use of temporary processing equipment including, but not limited to, portable sawmills, wood chippers, and wood splitters which are used in association with harvesting operations and which are removed from the site once harvesting operations are complete.
Why does it matter?
Individuals conducting silviculture do not fall under local land use and development jurisdiction, but rather must conform to the State’s rules and requirements, otherwise known as the Timber Harvesting in Vermont – Summary of Laws and Regulations and Acceptable Management Practices For Maintaining Water Quality on Logging Jobs in Vermont .
*Please note that areas cut within the Water Resource Overlay District as a part of a “logging operation” shall be reestablished and permitted to re-vegetate to its natural state.