Permit Information

Any activity within a Class I or II wetland or buffer zone which is not exempt or considered an "allowed use" under the Vermont Wetland Rules requires a permit. In order to obtain a permit, an applicant must show that they are unable to perform the activity outside of the wetland or buffer zone and that they are not lowering the quality of the wetland's protected functions and values. Wetland permit applications take 3-6 months to review dependent on the complexity of the project and completeness of the application. Applicants must plan accordingly. See the links below for more permit information.

• 3-9025 General Permit – Issued November 3, 2023.  Click on the link to view the current general permit and see if your activity applies.
• 3-9026 General Permit – This General Permit is for stream crossing structure replacement, failed wastewater system replacement, retrofits for Stormwater treatment practices, and Vermont Natural Resources Conservation Services Conservation Practice Standards on farms for access roads, heavy use protection areas, stream crossings, trails and walkways, and artificial wetlands. Eligible activities are limited by square footage thresholds, and by the type of impacted wetland.  Project proponents may self-verify coverage and must register the activity with the Vermont Wetlands Program, except for farm practices described in the permit. Click on the link to view the current non-reporting general permit and see if your activity applies. This updated permit now includes a general permit process for stormwater retrofit projects with impacts to managed buffer between 5,000 and 7,000 square feet.  See this training video for determining if your stream crossing or stormwater retrofit project will qualify for the NRGP.
• Administrative Information and Permitting Process
• Wetland permit amendment guidance – details of when an amendment is needed and types of amendments
• Farming FAQ of Non-reporting General Permit 3-9026 - The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) wants to make it as easy as possible for farmers to continue to complete important water quality practices. Here are a few answers to some questions about the new non-reporting general permit which was issued November 19, 2018.
• Please submit this form and payment using ANROnline. Direct questions to anr.wsmdwetlands@vermont.gov.  If unable to submit online, mail the completed application form along with all required supporting materials including a check in the correct fee amount made payable to State of Vermont to: Vermont DEC - Watershed Management Division, Wetlands Program - 1 National Life Drive, Davis 3 - Montpelier, VT 05620-3522

Pre Application Material:

• Site Visit Standards
• Vernal Pool Evaluation Form
• Vernal Pool Survey Methodology
• CPG Application Checklist for Criterion 1(G) - Wetlands
• Avoidance and Minimization Checklist

Application Materials:

Individual Wetland Permits

• Vermont Individual Permit For Single Wetland Application (Revised February 2024)
• Vermont Individual Permit for Multiple Wetlands Application (Revised February 2024)

​Required Attachments for Individual Permits with Multiple Wetlands

• Vermont Individual Permit for Multiple Wetlands Excel Table (Revised April 2024)
• Wetlands Evaluation Form (Revised January 2019)
• Multiple Wetland Determination Form (New January 2019)​​​

General Wetland Permits

• Vermont Wetlands General Permit 3-9025 NOI (Revised February 2024)
• Vermont Wetlands General Permit 3-9026 Registration (Revised May 2023)

​Required Attachments for General Permit Applications that Include a Wetland Determination

• Wetlands Evaluation Form (Revised January 2019)

Wetland Determinations

• Class I Petition Form (Revised August 2023)
• Determination Petition form for Class II and Class III wetlands (Revised March 2024)
• Wetland Polygon GDB (Please submit your wetland determination polygons using this geodatabase format) (Updated October 2023)
• Join VSWI Submittal Group ARCGIS Online members can gain access to the "Wetland Submittal from Partner" layer.  This layer may be used to add wetland polygons associated with applications and petitions and can be viewed by the Wetlands Program.
• VSWI Edit Petition: Use this form to request a change in a Vermont Significant Wetlands Inventory mapped wetland.

​Adjoiner Notification

• DEC Adjoiner Form Template (Revised November 2019)
• Abutter Notification Guidance (Updated September 2024)

Post Approval Materials:

Amendment forms:

• Vermont Individual Permit Major Amendment Application (Revised May 2023)
• Vermont Individual Permit Minor Amendment Application (Revised October 2022)
• Permit Extension Form (Revised May 2023)
• Permit Transfer Form (Revised June 2021)
• Administrative Amendment Form (New June 2021)

Reporting Forms:

Reporting forms may now be completed online. You will need to have your permit number available; click on the appropriate link below to complete your report of Town Recording, Start Work date, or Work Completion:

• Permit Town Recording Form
• Start Work Notification Form
• ​Work Complete Certification Form

If you are unable to use the electronic forms, PDF versions are available as well: Town Recording, Start Work, Work Completion.

If you are having technical issues with any of the forms, please email us at ANR.WSMDWetlands@vermont.gov or call 802-490-6195

Permit Fees

• Wetland Fee Summary

Refund Policy: Fees cannot always be returned

• If an application is modified, withdrawn or denied after technical review has commenced, all fees are retained
• If an application is withdrawn prior to administrative review, all fees will be refunded
• If an application is withdrawn after administrative review but prior or commencement of technical review, deemed administratively incomplete and returned to the applicant, or determined that a permit is not required; administrative fees are retained and, and application review fees will be refunded

Public Notice Information