Planning Commission & Zoning Board

Under Vermont state law the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board are two separate municipal boards serving two separate functions. A Town can, and Barnet has, however, elected to cause the members of its Planning Commission to serve also as the members of its Zoning Board. Therefore, although this group serves two distinct functions, it is in practice one board. As the Planning Commission it primarily serves to prepare a municipal plan, and amendments thereto, and to prepare zoning bylaws, and amendments thereto. As the Zoning Board it primarily hears appeals from the decisions of the Zoning Administrative Officer, and grants or denies variances.

Members (for detailed listing, including contact information and term expiration, see municipal directory):
- Benjamin Adams, Chair
- Jacob Stevenson
- Dawn Holtz
- Dennis McLam
- Susan Sinclair
- Zachary Mangione
- Eric Skovsted
- Trent Roy
- Bruce Denio
Zoning Administrative Officer: Shirley Warden
- Mail: 521 Warden Rd, Barnet, VT 05821; Telephone: (802) 633-4993.
Secretary for the Planning Commission & Zoning Board: Susan Sinclair
Meetings: Second Tuesday of each month at the Fire & Rescue Station (151 Bimson Drive) starting at 7:00 P.M.

Planning Commission & Zoning Board news & announcements:

Messages from Zoning Administrative Officer Shirley Warden:
Barnet has zoning: All structures over 50 square feet require a zoning permit, unless they are exempt in Section 103 0202.02 of the Barnet Zoning Bylaw. A “structure” is defined as “an assembly of materials for occupancy or use.”

Application forms, with instructions for filling out, are available below or at the Barnet Town Clerk’s Office (hours Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Application forms should be dated May 1, 2022 or newer.

Section 415.01 J. of the Barnet Zoning Bylaw states, “No sign shall be attached or maintained on utility poles or drawn or painted on rocks or other similar natural features.” Yard sale signs must not be on utility poles and be removed at the end of the sale. If a yard sale is more than five (5) days in a calendar year, a conditional use permit is required.

January 1, 2022 zoning fees increased; if you build without a permit the fee is doubled.

Zoning Bylaw in effect as of August 14, 2018. You may download it below, by clicking the link under the “Printable Zoning Bylaw” heading.

Zoning Bylaw
Barnet Zoning Bylaw

Permit Navigator Tool
The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources developed a tool called the Permit Navigator to help you determine what permits you may need for a project on a single parcel. If you have a linear, polygon, or multi-parcel project, contact a Community Assistance Specialist to get started. The Permit Navigator has a section where you can learn about various Agency permits, including a brief explanation, time to issue the permit, application fee amount, link to the application, program resources, and more. The Permit Navigator produces a downloadable/printable guide to help you through the permitting and planning processes and to help you learn about what may be required based on your unique situation.
Visit the Agency of Natural Resources website to learn more and use the Permit Navigator

Printable Zoning Permit Form & Instructions
Questions should be directed to Shirley Warden, Zoning Administrative Officer at 802-633-4993 and mailed to her at 521 Warden Road, Barnet VT. 05821
Instructions
Permit Application Form

Printable Intent to Build Form
Intent to Build Form

Appeal to the Planning-Zoning Board
For appeal to the Planning-Zoning Board of a decision of the administrative officer.
Appeal to the Planning-Zoning Board (Form revised June 2024)

Transmission Rights-of-Way
Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO) has issued a notice regarding how a utility-owned transmission right-of-way may affect your rights to build.
VELCO Rights-of-Way Notice