Vermont Lifestyle & Property Laws (2026)

Short-term rentals are legal in Vermont. Effective August 1, 2024, a new 3% surcharge was added to short-term rental rents on top of the existing 9% rooms tax. Hosts should verify local ordinances and tax requirements before listing.

Backyard Chickens are legal in Vermont. There have been no significant statewide legislative changes since 2023.

Vermont permits rainwater collection without restrictions. There are no state statutes limiting possession or sale of rainwater. Rainwater harvesting is encouraged for water conservation and is legal for residential and commercial use.

Composting toilets are explicitly permitted in Vermont under state plumbing or health codes. No significant legislative changes have been made, but there is ongoing advocacy to create more flexible permitting pathways for composting toilets.

Vermont does not explicitly prohibit dumpster diving, but entering private property without permission to access dumpsters may violate trespassing laws under 13 V.S.A. § 3705. Items discarded in public areas are generally considered abandoned property.

Vermont regulates exotic pet ownership under 10 V.S.A. § 4711 et seq., prohibiting possession of certain wild animals without a permit. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department issues permits for some exotic species but bans dangerous animals like large carnivores and primates.

Vermont permits video surveillance in public or non-private areas but prohibits audio recording without consent under 13 V.S.A. § 5401. Use of hidden cameras in private areas such as bathrooms or bedrooms is illegal.

Off-grid living is relatively friendly in Vermont. No significant statewide legislative changes impacting off-grid living have been reported since 2023.

Vermont is a one-party consent state under 13 V.S.A. § 5704. Recording a conversation is legal if one party consents. Secret recordings without any party's consent are illegal.

Sleeping in your car is generally legal in Vermont at rest areas, truck stops, and other designated areas. No significant statewide legislative changes have been made in recent years.