Burlington manages unsheltered encampments through a coordinated sanitation, outreach, and resource connection approach rather than rapid sweeps, partnering with Pathways Vermont and the Continuum of Care.
Burlington's encampment policy, published by the Mayor's Office and refined through 2023-2025, prioritizes outreach, mobile sanitation, and shelter referrals. Permanent dumping, fire risks, or active hazards trigger cleanup notices with at least 72 hours posted notice and storage of personal property for 60 days. The Burlington Continuum of Care, led by Champlain Housing Trust and Pathways Vermont, coordinates intake. Vermont's General Assistance motel program supplements local capacity. The city historically refused to adopt the kind of camping-ban ordinance found in many western cities, reflecting Bernie-era progressive traditions.
Refusing to relocate after lawful 72-hour notice can result in property cleanup with stored items reclaimable for 60 days, but personal arrest is rare and discouraged.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Burlington, VT
Burlington Code of Ordinances §21-13 sets citywide quiet hours from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM, during which noise plainly audible between apartments or houses is d...
Burlington, VT
Burlington's Comprehensive Development Ordinance limits fences in the First Lot Layer (front yard) to 4 feet and fences in Second and Third Lot Layers (side ...
Burlington, VT
Burlington Comprehensive Development Ordinance (CDO) Article 5 treats storage sheds as accessory structures incidental to a residential use. Sheds may encroa...
Burlington, VT
Burlington's short-term rental ordinance (Chapter 18, adopted 2022) requires hosts to disclose at registration the number of vehicles used by residents and g...
Burlington, VT
Burlington short-term rental hosts must comply with citywide noise rules in Burlington Code of Ordinances Chapter 21, Section 21-13. Quiet hours run 10:00 p....
Burlington, VT
Residential swimming pool barriers in Burlington are governed by the Vermont Fire and Building Safety Code, adopted by the Vermont Division of Fire Safety un...
See how Burlington's encampment sanitation rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.