wetlands

Vermont contains a great diversity of wetlands, ranging from open water habitats to rich forested swamps. Wetlands vary because of differences in hydrology, parent soil material, historical land use, topography and other factors. These differences make each wetland unique in its appearance, biota, and function in the landscape. Some general wetland types present in Vermont include open water wetlands, emergent wetlands, scrub-shrub wetlands, forested wetlands, wet meadows, peatlands, and vernal pools.  

Check for Wetlands Before You Buy or Build

How wetland laws may impact your land buy or building project

How to Identify a Wetland

Vermont has many types of wetlands. At first glance, an area of wetland may not be obvious to identify. Follow the steps below to help identify if the parcel you want to buy or build involves a wetland.

Step 1: Identify Wetlands

There are several ways that you can check for wetlands on a parcel that you are looking to buy and develop:

Allowed Uses
Beaver
Best Management Practices (BMPs)
Invasive Wetland Plant Species Information
Misc
Other Wetland Regulations
Vernal Pool Information
Wetland Restoration

Allowed Uses

Wetlands Inquiry Portal

Select the request type that best describes your inquiry.  Project review and site visit requests have a special form which emails your District Wetlands Ecologist all of the relevant information so that they may process your request most efficiently.

Certain activities are allowed in Class I or Class II wetlands without a permit. Allowed uses must follow guidelines specified in Section 6 of the Vermont Wetland Rules, and must comply with all other applicable laws. Examples of allowed uses include certain agricultural and silvicultural activities, certain utility operations and maintenance, low-impact recreational activities, certain activities relating to scientific research and education, and ordinary residential activities in existing lawns.

The State of Vermont protects wetlands which provide significant functions and values and also protects a buffer zone directly adjacent to significant wetlands. Wetlands in Vermont are classified as Class I, II, or III based on the significance of the functions and values they provide.

This section of the Vermont Wetlands Program website is a clearinghouse of wetland resources from Vermont and beyond. Whether you’re a landowner, student, teacher, natural resources professional, or interested community member, the links below will provide you with the information you need to learn about, conserve, protect, and/or restore our valuable wetland resources. 

Wetland Layers

Wetlands serve a variety of functions and values beneficial to the general public and to the environment. The degree to which a wetland serves these functions depends on the hydrology, soil, vegetation, size, and location of the wetland in the landscape. Although a wetland may not serve all functions, each wetland works in combination with other wetlands as part of a complex integrated system.