1998 State Legislative Report - Vermont

I CIVIL ACTIONS
II ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
III. ESCROWS
IV. INSURANCE / BUSINESS ISSUES
V. STATUTORY LIENS
VI. TAXES
VII. PUBLIC ENTITIES
Zoning
Act 125 This Act attempts to provide some relief to property owners who have found themselves faced with a Bianchi zoning issue. There are five parts to the new law: I) a recording requirement for zoning permits, certificates of occupancy and zoning violation notices; ii) a limited Statute of Limitations for some zoning violations; iii) an attempt to overrule the Bianchi v. Lorenz decision by declaring that certain zoning violations, including the lack of a local permit or a certificate of occupancy, prior to April 27, 1998 shall not be deemed to constitute an encumbrance against the marketability of title; iv) a redefinition or clarification of merger of pre-existing, non-conforming lots under 24 V.S.A. section 4406(1); and finally, the creation of a committee to study computerization of Vermont’s land records.

VIII. REAL PROPERTY INTERESTS
Condominiums
Act 104 This Act adopts the Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act. It revises the statutory regulation of condominium ownership and sales and to establish similar statutory regulation for other forms of common interest ownership, such as planned communities and cooperatives

IX. DEEDS AND SECURITY INTERESTS
Leases
Act 86 This Act allows for the recording of a short form of lease agreement, in lieu of having to record the entire lease agreement at length as may have been required under 27 V.S.A. Section 341. The new statute includes a list of specific requirements that a short form lease must include

X. RECORDING
Recording requirements
Act 86 This Act allows for the recording of a short form of lease agreement, in lieu of having to record the entire lease agreement at length as may have been required under 27 V.S.A. Section 341. The new statute includes a list of specific requirements that a short form lease must include.

Automation
Act 125 This Act attempts to provide some relief to property owners who have found themselves faced with a Bianchi zoning issue. There are five parts to the new law: I) a recording requirement for zoning permits, certificates of occupancy and zoning violation notices; ii) a limited Statute of Limitations for some zoning violations; iii) an attempt to overrule the Bianchi v. Lorenz decision by declaring that certain zoning violations, including the lack of a local permit or a certificate of occupancy, prior to April 27, 1998 shall not be deemed to constitute an encumbrance against the marketability of title; iv) a redefinition or clarification of merger of pre-existing, non-conforming lots under 24 V.S.A. section 4406(1); and finally, the creation of a committee to study computerization of Vermont’s land records.