I am running a business out of my home.

You will need a sign permit and a home occupation permit. If your business is a rental business, please see the section for landlords below.

I am running a business out of a commercial space and am not making changes to that space.

If you have already verified that your location is zoned correctly, you probably just need to get a sign permit so that you can hang your shingle and let people know where to find you. If you are unsure whether you need additional permits, contact the Zoning Administrator.

I need to make a few interior updates to my commercial or industrial space.

You should only need a sign permit from the Town of Northfield, but you will need building permits from the state Division of Fire Safety. Make sure to check whether you qualify for village center tax credits for code improvements and historic rehabilitation.

You need state building permits to make changes to public buildings in Vermont. The Division of Fire Safety permit and licensing requirements checklist linked below gives an overview of what you will need, or you can contact the Assistant Fire Marshall.

I need to make significant changes to my commercial or industrial space.

You will need both local and state permits. The Northfield Zoning Administrator can help you determine the necessary local permits and is willing to work with you even if you are still early in the process.

• Starting at least two months before you want to break ground gives you adequate time if your project needs a public hearing; most other permits are processed more quickly than that.
• If you are making code improvements, façade improvements, or doing historical rehabilitation as part of your project, check to see whether your project qualifies for Village Center tax credits.

We have included information about some of the state permits you may need but please contact the relevant agency to determine specific requirements for your project. State building permits are handled by the Division of Fire Safety.

Be sure to leave plenty of time to figure out environmental permits such as flood hazards if you are changing the footprint of your facility – this is often the most challenging part of building expansion permitting. The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation handles these permits at the state level. We recommend contacting their regional permit specialist, who can help you create a Project Review Sheet with the list of state permits needed for your project.

I am building a new commercial or industrial location.

You will need both local and state permits. PLEASE SEE THE SECTION above AND the following additional local and state information.

As above, leave plenty of time to figure out environmental permits.

• State building permits are handled by the Division of Fire Safety.
• The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation handles floodplain, air, and water permits at the state level and has a Regional Permit Specialist who can help guide you through the process. Ask for a Project Review sheet that will list which state permits your project will need.
• The Natural Resources Board is responsible for Act 250 permits.

I want more details about permits.

Northfield Zoning Department Information

• Zoning department
• Zoning permit fees
• Zoning bylaws
• Permits expire two years from date of issuance (section II.03 F). You may apply for a one-year extension (section II.03 G).
• Get your permits in this order (from section II.03 D):
  • Site Plan Approval
  • Conditional Use
  • Variance (may be done concurrently with conditional use)
  • Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) and other state agency permits
  • Act 250 Permit (may be done concurrently with other state agency permits)
• See the Northfield Zoning Bylaws sections V.05 and V.06 for information about hazard areas. Including a table of activities and their required review on page 58.

Sign Permit

• Need this for business signs, both on and near your business.
• Sign permit application
• Zoning bylaws section IV.14 and additional sign requirements for home occupations in section IV.04.C

Home Occupation Permit

• You need this to devote part of your residence or accessory structure to business activity.
• Zoning bylaws section IV.03.A provides the definition of home occupations. Note that you may only have one person who is not a family member participate in this business before the definition changes (Northfield Zoning Bylaws IV.03.B.3).
• Home occupation permit application
• Childcare homes or facilities that fit the definitions listed in Northfield Zoning Bylaws section IV.12 do not require a home occupation permit but may require site plan approval.

Zoning Permit

• Zoning permit application
• Zoning permit requires a sketch plan and a public utility checklist.

Driveway Permit

• Driveway permit application
• Also see the Highway Access Ordinance to determine whether you need a highway access permit.

Development Review Board

• Hearing application
• Use if you want to vary from or waive Zoning District dimension requirements or to get conditional use approval.
• Development Review Board hearings are held on the 25th of each month.
• Materials must be submitted on the first of the month preceding the hearing.

Letter of compliance

• Available here.

Site plan review

• Available here.

Subdivision permit

• Available here.
• See zoning bylaws section II.13

Northfield Water, Sewer, and Wastewater Connections

Northfield water use regulations ordinance. Key actions:

• Connection to town water mains requires Select Board approval, must meet specifications listed in ordinance, and cannot begin service without written permission of Town Manager.
• In order to begin excavation work, you must call Dig Safe and get written permission from the Town Manager. Dig Safe frequently takes a few days to schedule
• Written permits are needed to connect to water lines owned by Northfield Water Department. This will require a two working day inspection period.
• All connections to the Northfield Water Department water mains require meters.

Ordinance regulating the use of public and private sewer systems. Key actions:

• Must connect to public sewer within 45 days of receiving notice to do so (3.4.1).
• Requests to extend sewer line go to Water and Wastewater Commission (5.1.3).
• Contact the Town Manager to get on the Commission agenda.
• Property owner bears costs (section 6.3).
• Application requirements to use sewage plant and sewers are in section 5.2. Lists required application components.
• Application goes to Select Board, but must get form format from Water and Wastewater Commission.
• Preliminary approval may be issued, which lets development proceed, but still need final approval (5.3, 5.4).
• Final approval described in section 5.5.
• Monthly fee for use of sewer described in Section 9, Sewer Rents. Fee schedule available from the Town Clerk.
• Current water and sewer rates.

Division of Fire Safety Permits

You need state building permits to make changes to public buildings in Vermont. The Division of Fire Safety permit and licensing requirements checklist gives an overview of what you will need. We provide some highlights in this section, but it is not an exhaustive list.

Budget at least two weeks for Division of Fire Safety permits.

• Division of Fire Safety in the Department of Public Service.
• Your business location is considered a public building in Vermont and is subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Fact sheets on commonly used topics such as handrails, fire alarms, and stairs.
• Codes and standards
• General plan submittal guidelines

Department of Environmental Conservation – Agency of Natural Resources

• Permit navigator — determine what ANR permits you need for your project. Look up permits by program or fill out a survey to get a printable guide for your project.
• Permit handbook
• Small business permitting fact sheets by industry.

Permits covered by this Agency include but are not limited to:

• Watershed management: This one can be lengthy, start it sooner rather than later. Business and Operational Support Services gives administrative and technical support for this permitting process.
• Air quality and climate (wood stoves, central heaters, open burning).
• Drinking water and ground water.
• Waste management and prevention, including hazardous waste, brownfields, salvage yards, and storage tanks.

Act 250 – Natural Resources Board

Review of major land use and development projects. This process can be very involved, so contact District 5 early at 802-476-0185.

Act 250 “Do I need a permit?” site.

E-911 Physical Address Database for Emergency Responders

This makes it easier for first responders to find your location when time is of the essence.

Register the precise physical address of any new structures or update your existing information with E-911. Municipal E-911 contacts are listed here.

Local contacts

Town of Northfield contacts are in the Contact section below.

Vermont economic and labor force data – Department of Labor

• Vermont economic and labor force data main page.
• Data by industry, including current employment statistics report with employment numbers and average weekly earnings by industry for.
• Data by region. Search for Northfield here (data is from Census)
• Census quarterly workforce indicators

This is the first time I’ve started a business in Northfield.

Here are some of the things you’ll need to consider.

State of Vermont Business Startup Information

See the Starting a Business section of this website. Here is the Secretary of State business startup tool.

Business Registration — Secretary of State

• Register business in Vermont, maintain professional credentials, update information annually to remain in good standing.
• The Secretary of State tracks the registration of businesses and licensed professionals.
  • You must file an annual report with their office to maintain your business in good standing.
  • The Secretary of State listing also includes the current registered agent for every business.
• Register a business in Vermont — includes link to Secretary of State business portal and a list of other steps, such as a name search, tax registration, and checking for relevant ACCD programs.
• Form a new Vermont business:
  • Register as a “foreign” business if your business is organized in another state and you would like to keep it that way.
  • Domesticate your business in Vermont by re-organizing it as a Vermont business.
• Search for businesses with similar names:
  • Vermont Secretary of State search for entity names
  • National search for trademarks
• Why do this?
  • Having a unique name helps direct customers toward your business.
  • If you decide on a business name that is too similar to an existing business in the same market, you may end up with a lawsuit.
  • See the Small Business Association for more information.
• Maintain good standing with the Secretary of State by keeping required information up-to-date.

Professional licensing — multiple agencies depending on industry

Some of the licenses most likely to be relevant to Northfielders are included below, but this is not an exhaustive list. Please see the Department of Labor for complete information.

• Department of Labor:
  • List of licensed occupations
  • Overview of licensing authorities
• Secretary of State:
  • Request official verification of license through same portal
  • Also request continuing education
  • Professions licensed by the Secretary of State. This includes professional services such as accountants and engineers, health care such as pharmacists and nurses, personal care such as barbers and tattooists, and real estate.
• Department of Public Safety Division of Public Safety. This includes electricians, plumbers, elevator mechanics.
• Agency of Human Services Department for Children and Families for childcare licensing.
• Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets for dairy technician licensing

Unemployment Insurance – Department of Labor

• Employer UI overview:
  • When are you responsible for unemployment insurance?
  • Online services, including setting up a new account and quarterly reporting.
• Employer forms

Workman’s Compensation – Department of Labor

Workman’s compensation insurance is mandatory for Vermont employers. Check out the fact sheet.

Here are the relevant Workman’s compensation forms, and Workman’s compensation waiver for corporate officers or LLC members.

Employer resources for recruitment and training – Department of Labor

Workforce Development: Work opportunity tax credit for “hiring individuals from target groups who have consistently faced significant barriers to employment.”

Workplace safety – Department of Labor

Workplace safety information, including VOSHA.

Food Safety requirements– Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets

Includes fruits, vegetables, eggs, maple, meat, dairy, poultry.

Operating Licenses

• Food – Department of Health:
  • Food and lodging program information
  • Includes food businesses, home-based food businesses, food processing businesses, lodging businesses, temporary food service businesses.
  • Can apply for a license from this page.
• Alcohol and Tobacco – Department of Liquor and Lottery Division of Liquor Control:
  • Permits listed by type of business
  • List of licensing fees
  • Application forms by permit type (also available through the first link above)
• Cannabis – CCB has not figured out all the licenses and fees yet, there are bills in the Legislature this session. Towns will need to opt in, so may not apply to Northfield.
• Retail licenses covered by Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets:
  • List of items covered and links to licensing portal.
  • Some items include ice cream, live plants, any scales used to sell things to the public, live animals, pesticides, pre-packed meat (such as jerky or pizza with meat).

Downtown and Village Center Tax Credits

Commercial buildings (including rental properties) and non-profit-owned buildings located within the designated Northfield and Northfield Falls village centers can qualify for tax credits on façade improvement, code improvement, and historic rehabilitation projects.

• See the village center boundaries here (it loads slowly).
• Find more information at:
  • The FAQ page
  • The Agency of Commerce and Community Development page
  • More information about the Village Center designation
• How do I claim the credits?
  • Credits can be claimed against six different tax types. Yours will most likely be claimed against your personal income tax (form IN-119) or business/corporate income tax (form BA-402).
  • Claim the credits when you file using your tax filing software or search for tax forms here.
  • It can be helpful to see the published forms so you know what to look for in your tax software.
  • Additional Tax Department information about downtown and village center tax credits.
• Depot Square in Northfield is a recognized Village Green and can benefit from the Vermont Village Greens Initiative with its associated funding opportunities.

Northfield Revolving Loan Fund

Northfield is in the process of developing a revolving loan fund to help local businesses. Please contact the Economic Development Director for more information.

I will use my rental space as a short-term rental.

The short-term rental checklist from the Division of Fire Safety at the Department of Health is a good resource for the safety, health, and financial obligations of a short-term rental landlord.

• The Town of Northfield requirements for new and existing rental spaces above also apply to short-term rentals. Contact the town Zoning Administrator.
• Short-term rentals are subject to Meals, Rooms, and Alcohol tax. If you are listing through a third-party platform, they may be responsible for fulfilling that tax obligation.

I want more information about being a landlord.

Northfield does not have any specific landlord requirements. However, you should be sure to follow all state rules and regulations.

• Department of Environmental Conservation small business factsheet for rental properties and accessory dwelling units.
• The Town of Northfield rental property information form allows the Town to release information about tenant electric delinquencies that may result in a lien on the property. Your tenant must sign the form and return it to the Northfield Electric Department.
• Landlord certificate:
  • You need to complete a landlord certificate for every property you rent for residential use. Every landlord now needs to fill out a landlord certificate with the Department of Taxes every year (previously, only those with two or more units needed a certificate).
  • Due at the end of January.
• Vermont’s Warranty of Habitability.
• Agency of Commerce and Community Development resources for landlords and renters.
• Vermont Landlord Association
  • Renting in Vermont handbook
• Asbestos and lead requirements for property owners.
• Department of Health landlords and renters page.
• Business structure and formation documents if you choose to operate as an LLC or a trust to limit liability – contact your attorney for more information. If you do not currently have one, the Vermont Bar Association has a referral service.
• Be sure to consider flood, fire, and liability insurance – contact your insurance agent for more information.

Power, Water and Sewer – Town of Northfield

• Northfield Electric Department
• Northfield Water and Sewer Department
• Set up your account
  • A $150 deposit is required, but you may be able to have it waived if you have good credit history.
  • You need to fill out an application, provide a credit reference, and fill out a rental unit property information form. The property information form is where tenants authorize the Town to inform the landlord about electric account delinquencies that may result in a lien on the property.
• Payment options (also covers other Northfield-run utilities)
• Current water and sewer rates.
• Available rebates can be found here.

Power Providers for those outside of the Northfield Electric Department service area.

• Green Mountain Power
• Washington Electric Co-op

Garbage, Recycling and Compost – Mountain Alliance Waste and Recycling Association and private providers.

• The recycling and transfer station operates two days a week and users pay per item.
• Northfield is a member of the Mountain Alliance Waste and Recycling Association. Haulers who work with the association are listed here.
• Vermont has mandatory mixed-stream recycling.
• Vermont has mandatory composting for residential and commercial sites.
• Northfield ordinance for variable rate pricing for municipal solid waste collection.

Broadband – Private providers

• You will be best served by doing your own research here, but we can get you started.
• Northfield has two internet providers with offices downtown: Trans-video and TDS.
• CVFiber is a communications union district that includes Northfield, although it is not in their first wave of target communities.

Municipal property taxes – Town of Northfield

The only taxes that you pay to the Town of Northfield are municipal property taxes.

• The Town Clerk handles municipal property tax billing.
• Municipal tax bills go out in four segments, including August, November, February and May.
• The clerk also handles land records. Create an account to search online.

Business/Corporate Taxes – Vermont Department of Taxes

Find the tax forms and filing deadlines that affect your business.

• Most small businesses are organized as passthrough entities and will pay income taxes using a combination of the owners’ personal income tax forms and the business entity tax form.
• If you are a corporation, you will pay the corporate income tax.
• Your tax professional will help you determine which method is best for you.

Industry-specific Sales and Excise Taxes – Vermont Department of Taxes

• In addition to income tax, many industries in Vermont are subject to specific taxes such as sales tax, cannabis excise tax, or meals, rooms, and alcohol tax.
• Register for business accounts to pay those tax types here.
• Find out about tax information specific to your industry:
  • Fact sheets
  • Compliance corner
• Published statistics by town and county for some tax types, such as sales and use tax, meals and rooms tax, and property transfer tax are available here.

Property Taxes – Vermont Department of Taxes

• Includes education property tax, property transfer tax, land gains tax, landlord certificates, real estate withholding, current use. Property-related tax information.
• Find the current education property tax rates for Northfield.
• Landlord certificate must be completed annually by everyone who rents a property for residential use.

Withholding and Health Care Fund Contribution Assessment – Vermont Department of Taxes

• Vermont Income Tax Withholding explanation page.
• Health care fund contribution assessment explanation page.

Town of Northfield Contacts

If you need information about specific Northfield permits and processes, or simply want someone to walk you through it, please contact us! More information is also available at https://www.northfield-vt.gov/ under “Departments.”

State of Vermont Contacts

Many of the permits you need for commercial activities are handled at the state level.