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Current Vermont Codes

The following information is maintained by the Vermont Department of Public Safety Fire Safety Division (802-479-7561 or 800-640-2106) and is provided here for convenience.  Confirm current data before completing construction documents.

· Vermont building codes and regulations, (link).

VT Fire & Building Safety Code 2006, effective 6-15-2009

· For a listing of Minimum Ground Snow Loads Listed by Town, click here.  For a graphic/map version, click on the image below.

· Requirements for Stairs:  Do you know the Vermont Stair Geometry Requirements?  If not, click here!

· Vermont energy codes, please contact the Division of Public Service at 802-828-2811 or Consumer Hot Line: 800-622-4496 (Residential Energy Code page, Commercial Energy Code page).

VT Residential Building Energy Code Handbook, Edition 2.0, Sept. 2004

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Vermont Code Information

Proposed Code Updates

Boiler – Section 3 of the Vermont Fire & Building Safety Code is being updated to be consistent with changes made by the legislature. Inspectors who are commissioned to conduct boiler and pressure vessel inspections in Vermont no longer are required to be an employee of an insurance company, but are now required to carry liability insurance. Smaller boilers (maximum size, 250,000 BTU, water jacket capacity 60 gallons, relief valve setting 30 PSIG) are permitted to be used when meeting the standards published by the European Committee for Standardization. Also proposed are additional exemptions for the requirements for inspection by a commissioned inspector for boilers located within an individual dwelling unit or a boiler with a maximum size of 200,000 BTU. These boilers would still need to be inspected every two years by a person who is certified for fuel oil, gas or other fuels. 

Electrical – The Vermont Electrical Safety Rules are being updated to adopt the 2011 National Electrical Code, as well as similar codes for lightning protection, electrical wiring in existing apartments and electrical distribution systems. Proposed amendments include permitting certain underground service cable to be 3 wire instead of 4 wire, requiring metal-clad cable for new installations in theaters, and requiring additional GFCI and AFCI protection in dwellings and other locations.

Additional information will be available on the division website at http://www.dps.state.vt.us/fire/. A date has not been set yet for the public hearings or the deadline to receive comments. 

Plumbing – Keep up to date on the adoption of the 2009 International  Plumbing Code for Vermont by visiting the Department of Public Safety website:  http://www.dps.state.vt.us/fire/licensing/Plumbing.htm

Residential Building Energy Standards Update

The 2011 VT Residential Building Energy Standard was officially adopted on July 1^st.  As mentioned in my previous email due to a legislative amendment in H.56 the codes will not become effective until three months after final adoption and “shall apply to construction commenced on and after the date they become effective.”  So the effective date for RBES will be October 1^st.  For more information and to RSVP, contact Jeff Gephart: vtwise@together.net or call 800-893-1997.

Please note that the currently scheduled RBES workshops are designed for builders, contractors, architects, and other building professionals.  A separate series of trainings will be scheduled for town clerks and real estate professionals. Trainings on the new Commercial Building Energy Standard will be scheduled for the fall.

Visit www.efficiencyvermont.com/for_our_partners/res_nc_partners/training_opportunities.aspx for up to date information on energy code trainings. Newly revised RBES Handbooks will be available in late July/early August at http://publicservice.vermont.gov/energy/ee_resbuildingstandards.html. Handbooks will also be available at trainings and through the Energy Code Assistance Center (855-887-0673).

Workshop attendees are eligible for continuing education self-reported credits through the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Building Performance Institute (BPI).  

There are significant changes in RBES as a result of this update. Major changes include, but are not limited to:

• Expansion of RBES jurisdiction to include alterations, renovations, & repair of existing buildings (previously RBES only applied to new construction & additions > 500 sq. ft.)

• Increases in insulation levels that exceed current conventional construction practice

• Basement/crawlspace walls R-15 continuous insulation or R-20 if thermally bridged

• Slab - R-15 slab edge & under slab (under slab insulation required for radiant slabs only)

• Walls - R-20 for 2”x 6” or R-13 (cavity) + R-5 (continuous insulation on exterior) for 2”x 4” walls

• Ceilings – R-49 (with some exceptions)

• Windows – weighted average U-factor of U-0.32 or less

• Explicit & increased requirements for air sealing

•  50% of the bulbs in permanently-installed lighting fixtures must be high efficacy (ex. screw-in CFLs, dedicated pin-based fluorescent fixtures, or LEDs).