20 V.S.A. § ___ § 2907
Accessibility standards; residential construction
Operative Text
(a) As used in this chapter, “residential construction” means new construction of one family or multifamily dwellings. “Residential construction” shall not include a single family dwelling built by the owner for the personal occupancy of the owner and the owner’s family, or the assembly or placement of residential construction that is prefabricated or manufactured out-of-state. (b) Any residential construction shall be built to comply with all the following standards: (1) at least one first floor exterior door that is at least 36 inches wide; (2) first floor interior doors between rooms that are at least 34 inches wide or open doorways that are at least 32 inches wide with thresholds that are level, ramped, or beveled; (3) interior hallways that are level and at least 36 inches wide; (4) environmental and utility controls and outlets that are located at heights that are in compliance with standards adopted by the Vermont Access Board; and (5) bathroom walls that are reinforced to permit attachment of grab bars. (c) A violation of this section shall neither affect marketability nor create a defect in title of the residential construction. (d) Prior to the sale of residential construction, a seller shall provide written disclosure to a prospective buyer detailing whether the residential construction is in compliance with the standards described in subsection (b) of this section. Disclosure shall be made on a form and in a manner prescribed by the Access Board. (Added 2003, No. 141 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. April 1, 2005; amended 2015, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 17, 2016.)
Vermont law under 20 V.S.A. ch. 174 § 2907 requires that newly constructed residential buildings—excluding owner-built single-family homes for personal use and out-of-state prefabricated units—meet specific accessibility standards. These standards cover minimum door widths, level interior hallways, accessible placement of controls and outlets, and reinforced bathroom walls for grab bars. Before any such residential construction is sold, the seller must give the prospective buyer a written disclosure, on a form prescribed by the Vermont Access Board, stating whether the property meets these standards. Importantly, a violation of these requirements does not affect the property's marketability or create a title defect.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Developers and property managers involved in new residential construction covered by 20 V.S.A. ch. 174 § 2907 generally ensure their projects incorporate the specified accessibility features from the design phase forward, including appropriately wide doors, level hallways, compliant control heights, and reinforced bathroom walls. When a covered property is being sold, a compliant seller prepares and delivers the written disclosure form prescribed by the Vermont Access Board to prospective buyers before the transaction closes. Keeping documentation of how each accessibility standard was addressed during construction can support the disclosure process and demonstrate good-faith compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 20 V.S.A. ch. 174 § 2907, buyers and residents of newly constructed Vermont residential properties have a right to receive a written disclosure from the seller detailing whether the home meets the law's accessibility standards before a sale is completed. If you are purchasing or have purchased such a property and did not receive this disclosure, or if the disclosure was inaccurate, tenant and consumer rights organizations in Vermont can help you understand what options may be available. The Vermont Access Board, which prescribes the disclosure form and adopts standards for control heights, is a potential resource for questions about how this provision applies to a particular property.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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