Building Resilient Communities

Building Resilient Communities

Helping to build and steward a sustainable future for Vermont that balances healthy communities and natural environments is core to VNRC. That’s why we’ve kicked off a storytelling project we’re dubbing our Resilient Communities Campaign.

Its goal? To showcase the collaboration, advocacy, on-the-ground action, and diverse stories behind the land use policies we have here in Vermont.

After decades of advocating to protect and strengthen Act 250 – Vermont’s landmark land use review law – VNRC worked with a broad range of partners to develop and advocate for Act 181, making much needed updates to Act 250 and other core state and regional programs that plan for, guide and regulate how and where Vermont grows. 

We believe that to create more resilient communities, land use planning must be guided by Smart Growth principles, balancing the needs of our environment, our neighbors, and our local economies – and Act 181 helps to achieve just that by overhauling Vermont’s planning framework. The new law does many things, but here’s the big picture:

• Makes it easier to build where it makes sense: Modernizes Act 250 to streamline permitting for homes in and around village centers and downtowns—places with existing infrastructure and services.
• Protects Vermont’s rural areas: Focuses Act 250 review on development outside growth areas to keep farms, forests, and sensitive natural resources intact and working.
• Strengthens local and regional planning: Updates maps and planning tools so communities can guide growth toward connected, walkable neighborhoods.
• Reforms community designations: Makes it easier for towns to apply for and benefit from incentives for development and revitalization projects in designated areas. 

On this page, you can find important information about the history of Act 250, the goals and on-the-ground planning processes and impacts of Act 181, and the stories, interviews and articles that we hope will showcase the varied ways that Act 181 impacts Vermonters.

Local artist Susie Nagle illustrates how smart growth principles can come to life in Vermont.

What is Act 250?

Historic downtowns, stunning views, and active working lands are quintessentially Vermont. So, too, is Act 250, the legislation that has guided development in the state since 1970, with the goals of safeguarding our farms and forests from sprawl, protecting our natural resources, and helping our towns balance growth with community health and safety.

Act 250 is an environmental review and permitting process that regulates development in Vermont by reviewing the largest development projects for their potential impacts on the surrounding area. There are ten criteria used to evaluate a project, related to issues such as water, transportation, and conformance with local and regional plans.

Act 250 is administered by the Natural Resources Board (NRB), an independent entity in the Executive Branch of Vermont State government. NRB’s primary function is to administer Act 250. Read more at the NRB website.

How has Act 250 shaped Vermont?

There are many ways the Vermont you know and love today has been shaped by Act 250. Here are just a few:

• Wonder why Vermont has managed to limit big-box sprawl? Act 250 has played a major role.

• Along with other state policies, Act 250 has helped minimize real estate speculation in Vermont, making our state less vulnerable to economic downturns.

• Act 250 has protected vital wildlife habitat, such as bear habitat and deer wintering areas, helping to ensure that we have healthy wildlife populations in Vermont.

• Act 250 has provided a voice for Vermonters in helping shape significant projects that include major ski area expansion, quarrying, major housing developments, and industrial development.