Vermont building code

Codes in force in Vermont

Each code family with the edition and the date it took effect, as the adopting agency or statute states them.

Scope, amendments and transition rules

International Building Code (IBC)

Scope

Statewide minimum; local governments may go further¹

Applies to

Public buildings as defined in 20 V.S.A. § 2730 (not owner-occupied single-family residences)¹

Local amendments allowed?

Yes, if consistent with the state code¹

Amendments

Vermont Fire & Building Safety Code 2025, Section 5¹

Transition period

Projects permitted and started within 180 days may finish under the 2015 code¹

International Existing Building Code (IEBC)

Scope

Statewide minimum; local governments may go further¹

Applies to

Public buildings as defined in 20 V.S.A. § 2730 (not owner-occupied single-family residences)¹

Local amendments allowed?

Yes, if consistent with the state code¹

Amendments

Vermont Fire & Building Safety Code 2025, Section 5¹

Transition period

Projects permitted and started within 180 days may finish under the 2015 code¹

State code

Scope

Statewide minimum; local governments may go further¹

Applies to

Public buildings as defined in 20 V.S.A. § 2730 (not owner-occupied single-family residences)¹

Local amendments allowed?

Yes, if consistent with the state code¹

Amendments

Vermont Fire & Building Safety Code 2025, Sections 3-6¹

Transition period

Projects permitted and started within 180 days may finish under the 2015 code¹

Energy code, residential

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁸

Applies to

RBES covers new homes and additions/alterations/repairs to residential buildings 3 stories or less³

Amendments

Vermont Residential Building Energy Standard Amendments (adopted April 10, 2026)²

Transition period

Construction started before an effective date may use earlier or amended RBES⁸

Energy code, commercial

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁴

Applies to

Commercial buildings and residential buildings 4+ stories⁴

Amendments

Vermont Commercial Building Energy Standard Amendments⁴

National Electrical Code (NEC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁶

Applies to

Electrical Safety Rules do not apply to single-family owner-occupied dwellings (rentals and rented ADUs not exempt)⁶

Transition period

Work underway or with validated notice and started within 30 days may finish under 2020 rules⁶

International Plumbing Code (IPC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁷

Applies to

Plumbing Rules apply to buildings on public water/sewer, including owner-occupied single-family; no work notice if not connected⁷

How Vermont adopts building codes

20 V.S.A. §§ 2730, 2731, 2736; 24 V.S.A. § 3101; 30 V.S.A. §§ 51, 53; 26 V.S.A. chs. 15, 39

• Commissioner of Public Safety adopts construction rules. (1) The Commissioner is authorized to adopt rules regarding the construction of buildings, maintenance and operation of premises, and prevention of fires and removal of fire hazards, and to prescribe standards necessary to protect the public, employees, and property against harm arising out of or likely to arise out of fire.⁹
• VFBSC applies to public buildings as defined in 20 V.S.A. ch. 173. (d) These rules apply to "public buildings" as defined by 20 V.S.A Chapter 173.¹
• Owner-occupied single-family residence is not a 'public building'. (1) An owner-occupied single-family residence, unless used for a purpose described in subsection (a) of this section.⁹
• State codes to be updated on three-year cycles. (3) Update building codes on three-year cycles, consistent with codes developed by code-writing authorities, to keep pace with technology, products, and design.⁹
• Commissioner may assign enforcement to qualified municipalities. After considering the type of buildings within the municipality, if the Commissioner determines that the training, qualifications, and procedures are sufficient, he or she may assign responsibility to the municipality for enforcement of some or all of these rules and standards.⁹
• Cities, towns and incorporated villages may adopt building codes. (a) The mayor and board of aldermen of a city, the selectboard of a town, or the trustees of an incorporated village, may, in accordance with this chapter, establish codes and regulations for the construction, maintenance, repair, and alteration of buildings and other structures within the municipality.¹⁰
• Local building codes must be consistent with state DPS rules. (c) When any municipality adopts or amends a building code, it shall impose requirements consistent with the current rules and standards adopted by the Commissioner of Public Safety under 20 V.S.A. chapter 173, subchapter 2.¹⁰
• Residential construction must comply with RBES. (b) Adoption of Residential Building Energy Standards (RBES). Residential construction shall be in compliance with the standards adopted by the Commissioner of Public Service in accordance with subsection (c) of this section.⁸
• Electrical rules adopted by Commissioner and Electricians' Licensing Board. (a) These rules are adopted by the Commissioner of Public Safety and the Electricians’ Licensing Board pursuant to 26 V.S.A. Chapter 15, to license people doing electrical work and to adopt and enforce nationally recognized safety codes.⁶
• Plumbers' Examining Board adopts the 2024 IPC. Under 26 V.S.A. Section 2173, the Board adopts the provisions of the 2024 International Plumbing Code (hereinafter referred to as 2024 IPC).⁷

Applies to

Public buildings as defined in 20 V.S.A. § 2730 (not owner-occupied single-family residences)¹

Can local rules be stricter?

Some municipalities have local rules exceeding state codes¹

What local governments may change

24 V.S.A. § 3101(a),(c); VFBSC 2025 § 11(3); 20 V.S.A. § 2736(f)

• Cities, towns and incorporated villages may adopt building codes. (a) The mayor and board of aldermen of a city, the selectboard of a town, or the trustees of an incorporated village, may, in accordance with this chapter, establish codes and regulations for the construction, maintenance, repair, and alteration of buildings and other structures within the municipality.¹⁰
• Municipal codes exclude electrical installations regulated by the state. Such codes and regulations may include provisions relating to building materials, structural design, passageways, stairways and exits, heating systems, fire protection procedures, and such other matters as may be reasonably necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of the public, but excluding electrical installations subject to regulation under 26 V.S.A. chapter 15.¹⁰
• Local building codes must be consistent with state DPS rules. (c) When any municipality adopts or amends a building code, it shall impose requirements consistent with the current rules and standards adopted by the Commissioner of Public Safety under 20 V.S.A. chapter 173, subchapter 2.¹⁰
• Municipal fire/building codes must be consistent with the VFBSC. (3) Any fire, building or similar code standards adopted by any municipality shall be consistent with the standards adopted under this Code.¹
• Some municipalities have local rules exceeding state codes. Some municipalities have adopted local rules, regulations or ordinances that exceed State codes.¹
• Municipal authority under other building/housing code laws preserved. (f) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to decrease the authority of municipal officials under other laws, including laws concerning building codes and laws concerning housing codes.⁹

Can local rules be stricter?

Some municipalities have local rules exceeding state codes¹

For permits, exemptions and owner-builder rules, see Vermont building permits. To compare editions across states, see the code adoption map.