Our zoning code governs what you can do on a particular piece of property. If you are doing something new, you have to get a zoning permit from the town Code Enforcement Officer.
To find out whether you can do something on your property, this is a good order to start looking at the Zoning Code. The Code Enforcement Officer will be a good resource to help.
- Figure out which zoning district the property is in. Look at the zoning map (202) first, then check the description (203) if there is uncertainty. Most properties are either in the Agriculture and Rural Residential (ARR) or Lakeshore Residential (AR) districts. Larger lots near the lakes sometimes straddle a boundary with parts in different districts.
- Look in the Use Table (308) to find uses that sound similar to what you have in mind. Then look in the column corresponding to your zoning district to see which, if any, restrictions there are.
- To be sure the Use listed matches what you have in mind, look in the definitions (107) to see how the use, and any terms describing it, are defined for the purposes of this code. The definitions are often much more specific than the general understanding. The definition in the code is the only one that matters.
- If the use is Conditional, look in the referenced part of 310 to find the specific conditions. As long as you meet those conditions approval is routine. If the conditions are not met, denial is routine. The Code Enforcement Officer decides.
- If the use is a Special Use, look for the extensive rules in 311. These are high-impact uses that are evaluated subjectively by the Planning Board so that they end up being done well. Part 311.1 applies to everything. Other sections of 311 apply to specific uses. Site plan review (312) must also be done for all Special Uses. We don’t make this process more complicated than it needs to be.
- All uses have to meet setbacks and envelope restrictions in the bulk table (309.1) and the design standards in 309.2.