The bill H.509 proposes an amendment to the charter of the City of Winooski, allowing the City Council to adopt an ordinance that governs the eviction of residential tenants. The General Assembly approves this amendment, which was voted on and approved by the residents of Winooski on March 4, 2025. The amendment grants the City Council the authority to implement protections for tenants against eviction without just cause, defining just cause to include specific breaches of rental agreements, violations of state statutes, nonpayment of rent, and failure to accept reasonable renewal terms.

Additionally, the ordinance must exclude the expiration of a rental agreement as the sole reason for terminating a tenancy and may exempt certain properties, such as owner-occupied duplexes and triplexes, properties being withdrawn from the rental market, and those needing substantial renovations. The ordinance will also include provisions to mitigate negative impacts on tenants and property owners, establish a probationary period after initial occupancy, and limit unreasonable rent increases to prevent de facto evictions. The act is set to take effect upon passage.