BILL AS INTRODUCED S.275
2024 Page 1 of 2
1 S.275
2 Introduced by Senators Harrison, Clarkson and Perchlik
3 Referred to Committee on
4 Date:
5 Subject: Municipal and county government; regulatory provisions; police
6 powers of municipalities; miscellaneous regulatory authority;
7 unoccupied commercial properties
8 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to authorize
9 municipalities to assess a civil penalty to the owner of a commercial property
10 that remains unoccupied and vacant for any 180-day period.
11 An act relating to municipal ordinances governing unoccupied commercial
12 buildings
13 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
14 Sec. 1. 24 V.S.A. § 2291 is amended to read:
15 § 2291. ENUMERATION OF POWERS
16 For the purpose of promoting the public health, safety, welfare, and
17 convenience, a town, city, or incorporated village shall have the following
18 powers:
19 ***
VT LEG #372810 v.1
 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.275
2024 Page 2 of 2
1 (30) Upon the determination by a municipal building inspector or other
2 duly authorized municipal officer that a commercial building within the
3 boundaries of the municipality is persistently unoccupied or otherwise vacant,
4 and after providing notice to the property owner, to assess a civil penalty for
5 every 180 days that the building remains unoccupied.
6 Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE
7 This act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
VT LEG #372810 v.1


Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 24-2291