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 amendment, which was approved by voters on March 4, 2025, grants the City additional powers to implement protections for tenants against eviction without just cause. The bill outlines specific conditions that constitute just cause for eviction, including material breaches of rental agreements, violations of state statutes, nonpayment of rent, and failure to accept reasonable renewal terms.

Furthermore, the ordinance must exclude the expiration of a rental agreement as the sole reason for termination and provide exemptions for certain properties, such as owner-occupied duplexes and those undergoing substantial renovations. It also mandates provisions to mitigate negative impacts on tenants, including adequate notice and reasonable relocation expenses, as well as limitations on unreasonable rent increases to prevent de facto evictions. The act is set to take effect upon passage.