Activities in, near, or that affect lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and wetlands may require one or more permits from local, state, and/or federal agencies. The Water Quality Division of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation administers several permit programs in conjunction with other permitting agencies. The type of permit required depends upon the specific project to be completed.
State and federal guidelines and/or permit regulations may also apply to pond management practices and construction of new ponds and dams. Any landowners contemplating construction of a new pond should consult these resources. The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources has created a fact sheet and guidelines on pond and dam construction in Vermont.
Below are links to state of Vermont permit programs, but there are also federal permitting requirements at times, and can even be local regulations in many of these areas. It is best to talk to the Zoning Administrator/Administrative Officer for the town in which you are working as well as the ANR Permit Specialist at the Environmental Assistance Office (EAO).
The following information is available below:
Drinking (Potable) Water Supplies
Water supplies are regulated separately depending whether they are public water supplies (including private systems that serve many people) or smaller private systems. Both kinds of supplies are covered by the Water Supply Rule.
Docks and Lakeshore Armoring
For more information on floodplain permitting, to the floodplain section of our web site.
Vermont regulates both septic systems and wastewater treatment plants. For information on small systems up to 6500 gallons per day and connections to existing systems use the link below.
For more information on wetlands permitting, see the wetlands section of our web site..
Surface water withdrawals for things such as snowmaking or water supply are regulated separately from groundwater withdrawals.
Large groundwater withdrawals are newly regulated in Vermont and VTDEC is in the process of establishing the program. More can be found on the draft process at:
Stormwater is regulated in Vermont primarily for three categories, runoff from sites during construction, runoff from larger impervious surfaces and runoff from activities of a nature that might contaminate surface waters. The rules also change depending upon whether you are located in an officially designated "impaired water".
State Stormwater Discharge Permits Required If...
Stormwater Permit Background Information
EPA has delegated authority to the state of Vermont for issuing stormwater permits. The agency responsible for reviewing and approving stormwater permits is the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) within the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR). Stormwater permits are required for many activities in the state of Vermont; they include Construction General Permits (CGP), Operational, and Multi-Sector General Permits (MSGP). Some projects may require all three permits. For an overview of this subject, see the links below.
Construction General Permits (Permit 3-9020) & Individual Discharge Permit
EPA Phase II laws now require Construction Permits for any disturbance of one (1) or more acres, including purely residential projects. The permit is a requirement of the federal Clean Water Act. Projects that are determined to have a low or moderate risk can get a Construction General Permit (CGP 3-9020). Higher risk projects need an Individual Discharge Permit.
Click on the link below to determine what kind of risk your project has and then see the permit conditions for construction.
Renewal of Previously Permitted Stormwater Discharges; 3-9010
New Development and Redevelopment permits; 3-9015
Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP Permit 3-9003)
Is your business or operation considered a commercial/industrial activity? If so, you are required to have a MSGP. If you are unsure, can check your activities against the Standard Industrialized Code (SIC) codes through the links below. While some industrial uses are obvious, others needing a permit may not be. For example, sand and gravel pits or fire wood producers are industrial uses that have SIC codes.
ANR Tutorial on how to use the U.S Department of Labor website SIC page
U.S Department of Labor website guide to locating your SIC code and activity
Vermont's Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) 3-9003, for industrial activity
We encourage you to contact DEC with additional stormwater questions. It is a confusing field with constant changes. There are many potential situations which are not answered on their websites. Calling with specific questions will be helpful.
Water Quality Contacts for your area