Caledonia County, Vermont Building Permit Guide

No Caledonia County office issues building permits. Each of the county’s 17 towns decides for itself: 13 have zoning bylaws, and Newark, Sheffield, Walden and Wheelock have none. Public buildings, which in Vermont include rental housing and commercial buildings, also need a state construction permit from the Division of Fire Safety’s Waterbury Regional Office (802-479-4434).

What needs a permit in Caledonia County?

In a town with zoning, almost any building work starts with a town zoning permit. Lyndon requires one for all land development, including construction, structural alteration, enlargement or relocation of a structure and any change of use. Groton’s form says the same for “ALL land development”. Sutton puts it in size terms: any building larger than 8 by 10 feet needs a permit. Farm structures built under accepted agricultural practices are exempt from zoning, but St. Johnsbury and Hardwick still require written notice with a sketch showing setbacks.

In Newark, Sheffield, Walden and Wheelock there is no town zoning permit at all, but the state permits listed above still apply.

Caledonia County building department: who handles permitting

Vermont counties have no general government, so nothing is filed with Caledonia County. Permits come from the town the land is in, and from the state. The Census Bureau lists 17 towns in the county; West Burke is its one incorporated village, and Lyndon’s ordinances now refer to the “former limits” of the Village of Lyndonville.

Towns with no zoning: Newark’s December 2024 town plan says it has no zoning or subdivision regulations. Sheffield’s town plan says it has no zoning, subdivision regulations or building codes (802-626-8862). Walden’s town site says that with no zoning, building permits are not required, but state water and septic rules apply and the road foreman must be contacted before a driveway goes in (802-563-2220). Wheelock has no zoning regulations but requires a driveway permit under its highway access policy (802-626-9094).

State offices for the county: the Division of Fire Safety’s regional map puts every Caledonia town in the Waterbury Regional Office’s area (45 State Drive, Waterbury; 802-479-4434). Wastewater and water supply permits come from the Department of Environmental Conservation’s St. Johnsbury Regional Office, 374 Emerson Falls Road, Suite 4 (802-751-0130, by appointment). Act 250 applications go to the District 7 Environmental Commission at the same address, whose coordinator is at 802-522-6074.

Applications and forms in Caledonia County towns

Each town uses its own form, usually a single zoning permit application with a site sketch showing setbacks.

• St. Johnsbury: the Zoning Permit Application asks for the estimated construction value, parcel ID, setbacks, building dimensions, water source and sewage method. It notes that new access onto a town road needs a Public Works permit, and that the Department of Public Works (802-748-4408) handles municipal water and sewer. A separate Vacant Building Permit Application is on the same page.
• Lyndon: one Zoning Permit Application (January 2023 form) covers permits, Development Review Board referrals and subdivisions, and every application needs a site plan. Complaints about violations must be in writing on the town’s reporting form.
• Hardwick: besides the standard zoning application, the town has separate forms for flood hazard administrative permits and for permitted uses inside the flood hazard overlay.
• Groton: zoning/building permit, subdivision permit and right-of-way/curb cut applications are on the Forms & Permits page; a new driveway on a town road needs the road commissioner’s permit.
• Barnet: the zoning permit application was revised in April 2025, with a separate form for appeals to the Planning-Zoning Board.
• State: the Division of Fire Safety has a full Construction Permit Application and a shorter Small Project Construction Permit Application for renovations under $200,000; electrical and plumbing work notices can be filed on paper or online with a credit card.

Zoning permit fees in Caledonia County towns

There is no county fee. Each town sets its own, and the state charges separately for construction permits, work notices and wastewater permits.

In St. Johnsbury the square-foot charge is based on the increase in building area, measured on the outside at the main finished grade level. A new home with 1,200 sq ft of building area therefore pays $100 + $60 = $160. All St. Johnsbury and Hardwick fees double if work starts before the application is filed; Lyndon’s January 2023 application form doubles the total fee for an after-the-fact permit, and Barnet doubles the basic fee for late filing.

Electrical, plumbing and fire safety permits

None of the town fee schedules above lists electrical or plumbing permits; in public buildings that work is regulated by the state. The Division of Fire Safety requires its work notice or permit before work starts, and its permits page lists separate applications for fire alarm, sprinkler, fire suppression, exhaust hood, tank and tent permits. Lyndon’s own permit guidance tells applicants that state construction permits are required on all public buildings and gives the regional office number, 802-479-4434.

The Division also takes Change of Use/Change of Ownership inspection requests, on its paper form or online.

Alliance handles electrical permits for contractors here. More on this: who pulls the electrical permit.

How to get a permit in Caledonia County

Inspections and closeout

A town zoning permit deals with land use, setbacks and building dimensions; state inspectors from the Waterbury Regional Office inspect public buildings and the electrical and plumbing work the Division regulates. St. Johnsbury requires a Certificate of Compliance before a building is occupied after construction or a change of use or tenancy, except for one- and two-family dwellings, residential accessory structures and exempt farm buildings. Lyndon charges $25 for a rush certificate of occupancy, and its permits are good for two years.

The Residential Building Energy Standards apply to all new residential construction, including additions, alterations, renovations and repairs. The builder, or a licensed engineer, licensed architect or accredited home energy rating organization, certifies compliance on a certificate fixed near the heating or cooling equipment or electrical panel, sends a copy to the Department of Public Service and has it recorded in the town land records. Where a town requires a certificate of occupancy, it cannot issue one without that certificate. Since July 14, 2026, builders may follow either the 2020 or the 2024 standards.

Flood rules and Act 250 in Caledonia County

Flood insurance program: FEMA’s Community Status Book lists Barnet, Burke (with West Burke), Groton, Hardwick, Kirby, Lyndon (with Lyndonville), Ryegate, St. Johnsbury, Stannard, Sutton and Waterford in the regular program, and Danville and Peacham in the emergency program. Newark and Wheelock are in its list of communities not participating; Sheffield and Walden are not listed. In Hardwick, most work in the flood hazard overlay needs Development Review Board conditional use review and a review by the state floodplain manager, even accessory buildings over 500 sq ft.

Act 250: the whole county is in District 7, which also covers Orleans and Essex counties. The district office is in St. Johnsbury and meets applicants by appointment.

Vermont building code

Vermont has no statewide building code for an owner-occupied single-family home. The state code covers public buildings, including rented homes, and each town decides whether it runs a building department or only issues zoning permits. Vermont rules

Caledonia County permit FAQ

Does Caledonia County issue building permits?

No. Vermont counties have no permitting office. Zoning permits come from the town, and public buildings need a state construction permit.

How much is a zoning permit for a new house in St. Johnsbury?

$100 plus $0.05 per square foot of added building area under the fees in effect since July 1, 2025, so $160 for 1,200 sq ft. Fees double if work starts first.

Which Caledonia towns have no zoning?

Newark, Sheffield, Walden and Wheelock. Driveway permits and state wastewater, fire safety and Act 250 permits still apply there.

Do I need a state permit for a rental in Lyndon or St. Johnsbury?

Yes. Rental housing counts as a public building in Vermont, so construction work needs a Division of Fire Safety permit from the Waterbury Regional Office as well as the town zoning permit.

Who issues septic permits in Caledonia County?

The Department of Environmental Conservation’s St. Johnsbury Regional Office, 374 Emerson Falls Road, issues wastewater system and potable water supply permits for every town in the county.

Do I need a permit for a shed in Sutton?

Yes, if it is larger than 8 by 10 feet: $50 if unheated and $100 if heated.

Caledonia County permit search and official resources

Town zoning pages and the state offices that cover Caledonia County.

• St. Johnsbury Planning & Zoning
• St. Johnsbury zoning permit application and fees (July 2025)
• Lyndon Planning & Zoning
• Lyndon permit questions
• Lyndon zoning permit application and fees (January 2023)
• Hardwick zoning, planning and floodplain administration
• Hardwick 2026 schedule of zoning fees
• Burke ordinances and zoning regulations
• Vermont Division of Fire Safety permits, applications and forms
• Division of Fire Safety regional offices map
• DEC St. Johnsbury Regional Office (wastewater and water supply)
• Act 250 district commissions and coordinators
• DEC wastewater and potable water permit applications
• Vermont Residential Building Energy Standards

Simplify Caledonia County permitting with Alliance Permitting

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Vermont. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Caledonia County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.