Permit Information

Where zoning permits have been issued for houses, mobile homes or structures built or are being built that require sewage disposal, a certificate of compliance is required before occupancy.

Legal occupancy of said structure is not approved until such certificate is issued. The lower part of the previously issued zoning permit approval form shows a section of appropriate wording and a line for the Zoning Administrator’s signature. If this line does not show the administrator’s signature then no occupancy was ever approved and inspection ever made.

If at some time in the future you wish to sell your house and property, this signature may become very important. The Bianchi law of the State of Vermont that concerns sewage disposal is an issue of compliance for buying and selling houses. The Town Health/Sewage Ordinance requires this certificate to be issued as it applies to any of the structures mentioned above. Basically your property is in violation of this ordinance if you do not have this inspection. 

The Town of Reading Vermont adopted a Health/Sewage Ordinance and a Zoning Ordinance on January 28, 1971 and June 19, 1973 respectively. Permits have been required since those ordinances were established.

Copies of these ordinances may be obtained at the Town Office or under zoning in Town Government Tab.

Zoning Permits are required for any structure that covers the ground as well as certain interior structure alterations.

A Sewage  Permit is required for any structure requiring sewage disposal as well as inspections and a certificate of compliance from the state of Vermont before Occupying.

New and or failed septic systems require a design by either a certified site technician or a registered Vermont engineer.

There is also a program of penalties for constructing without a legal permit.

Permit application forms are available at the Town Clerk’s Office or in permit section under Town Government Tab.

Permit Fees as Follows:

Zoning Permit Fees

New House: $60.00 + $.04 Per Square Foot of living area

Accessory: $35.00+ $.04 PSF of ground cover

Signs: $15.00

Above ground swimming pools: $15.00

In ground swimming pools: $100

Ponds: $100

Driveway Opening Permits from Town Highway: $20.00

Zoning Board of Adjustment Hearings/Subdivision: $200.00

Site Plan Review: $200.00

Open Land Development

Newly created or existing open land with no structures is subject to the following regulations before a Health (septic) Permit or Zoning Permit can be issued.

1.         If the land was created as a landlocked parcel then a right of way is required and must be approved by the Town Planning Commission and recorded in the Town land records. The following regulations would also apply.

2.         Any land or lot so called, that has road frontage on a Town highway or a right of way entering from same requires a driveway opening permit and a 911 number.

3.         The driveway opening must be staked out plainly so the road foreman can approve it’s location with any recommendations. Driveway permit applications are available at the Town Office.

4.         The driveway opening must then be built with any culvert installed or any other recommendations made by the road foreman.

5.         Once the driveway opening construction is complete and inspected by the road foreman you can apply to the Town Clerk for your 911 number. The fire chief then assigns a driveway location number to that property. This is your 911 number. The same applies to the right of way. You will receive a red marker with the number on it. This should be posted at your driveway entrance.

6.         After I am in receipt of the driveway approval and the 911 number, the Health (septic) Permit and Zoning Permit can be issued, in that order. Application forms are at the Town Office.

7.         Allow ample time for these permits to be processed.

Robert Allen

Zoning Administrator and Sewage Officer