Franklin County, Vermont Building Permit Guide

Vermont counties have no permitting office, so in Franklin County permits come from the town or city, or from the state. Its municipalities are Bakersfield, Berkshire, Enosburgh, Fairfax, Fairfield, Fletcher, Franklin, Georgia, Highgate, Montgomery, Richford, St. Albans City, St. Albans Town, Sheldon and Swanton. By the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimates the largest are St. Albans Town (7147), St. Albans City (6939), Swanton (6894) and Fairfax (5455).

This guide covers the four largest municipalities and the state offices for Franklin County.

What requires a permit in Franklin County?

In Franklin County, permits come from the town or city, under its own zoning and, where it has one, its own building ordinance. Public buildings, which in Vermont include rentals and commercial buildings, also need a state construction permit from the Division of Fire Safety, unless the town enforces the state code itself under an agreement.

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

Who handles permitting in Franklin County?

State offices: state construction permits for public buildings go to the Division of Fire Safety’s Williston Regional Office, 380 Hurricane Lane Suite 101, Williston (802-879-2300), which covers Franklin County on the Division’s map. Act 250 permits are handled by the District 6 Environmental Commission (Franklin and Grand Isle Counties), 111 West Street, Essex Junction, 802-261-1945, by appointment.

Local rules in the largest Franklin County towns

St. Albans Town

The Zoning Administrator reviews building and zoning permits under the Unified Development Bylaws. The Development Review Board hears appeals and meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month.

St. Albans City

Forms are printed and brought to the Planning and Permitting Office.

Swanton

The Zoning Administrator issues building, zoning and sign permits for both the Town and Village of Swanton. Work affecting town roads uses the Culvert, Ditch, Right-of-way, and Driveway Permit form.

Fairfax

Fairfax adopted a Building Inspection, Code Enforcement & Fire Safety Ordinance in December 2016. Building-mounted solar PV must meet NFPA 1, and a Solar PV System Installation Checklist and plans go to the Fire Department (15 Goodall St., 802-849-6075) for approval before installation.

Franklin County permit costs and fees

• St. Albans Town: new residential $ 0.10 per SF; additions $ 0.10 per SF, minimum $25.00; recording $ 15.00 per page; impact fees for a new single family home (2024) total $2,759.36.
• St. Albans City: residential $4.00 per $1,000 of work; commercial $5.00 per $1,000; plus $15.00 recording and $12.00 records management per permit.
• Swanton (effective August 1, 2025): residential $.20/sq ft; additions $65.00 + $.20/sq ft; decks, porches, garages and sheds up to 300 sq ft $75.00; after-the-fact permits double.

How to get a permit in Franklin County

Inspections in Franklin County

Town zoning offices issue permits; inspections of public buildings are done by the state Division of Fire Safety, and in Fairfax by the town’s Fire Department under its 2016 ordinance.

Official Franklin County permitting resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• St. Albans Town Zoning
• St. Albans City permit forms
• Swanton zoning and planning
• Fairfax planning and zoning
• Vermont Division of Fire Safety permits
• Act 250 district offices

Frequently asked questions

Does Franklin County issue building permits?

No. Vermont counties have no permitting office; each town or city issues its own permits.

What impact fees does St. Albans Town charge on a new house?

The 2024 impact fees for a new single family home total $2,759.36.

Which Act 250 district covers Franklin County?

District 6, which covers Franklin and Grand Isle Counties.

Simplify Franklin County permitting with Alliance Permitting

• Sort out which town permits and which state permits (Fire Safety, Act 250) the project needs
• Prepare the town zoning or building application and the state construction permit for public buildings
• Track the town decision, the state review and the certificate of occupancy

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 Franklin County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.