Ramps in Vermont: owner homes, rentals and the state code

The first thing a Vermont family planning a ramp usually wants to know is whether the state will be involved at all. The answer turns on a single definition. Vermont's fire and building safety law applies to "public buildings," and the statute's idea of a public building includes apartments, rentals and condominiums, while setting aside a house its owner lives in.

So the same ramp can sit inside or outside state rules depending on who owns the building and how it is used. Renters have their own protections, written into Vermont's fair housing law.

Where Vermont's building rules reach

The Commissioner of Public Safety "is authorized to adopt rules regarding the construction of buildings, maintenance and operation of premises, and prevention of fires," under 20 V.S.A. § 2731. The definitions that come just before it, in 20 V.S.A. § 2730, limit what "building" means for that subchapter: "the words "premises," "building," and "structure," or any part thereof shall mean "public building" as defined in this section."

The list of public buildings is long. It includes "a cooperative or condominium," "a building in which people rent accommodations, whether overnight or for a longer term," "a restaurant, retail outlet, office or office building," and buildings owned or occupied by a "house of worship" or a "home for elders or persons who have an infirmity or a disability." It also says that using "any portion of a building" for a listed purpose "shall make the entire building a "public building.""

The exclusion that matters most to homeowners is in subsection (b): "The term "public building" does not include: (1) An owner-occupied single-family residence, unless used for a purpose described in subsection (a) of this section." A separate item excludes an owner-occupied single-family home with a permitted accessory dwelling unit, unless that unit is rented overnight or longer.

Read together:

• A ramp at a house you own and live in, with no rental use, falls outside the state's public-building rules under these sections.
• A ramp at a rental home, an apartment building, a condominium or a church falls inside them, and the Division of Fire Safety's rules for that building apply.

Renters' right to modify

Vermont's fair housing statute, 9 V.S.A. § 4503(a)(9), says: "An owner shall permit, at the expense of the person with a disability, reasonable modifications of existing premises occupied or to be occupied by the person with a disability if the modifications are necessary to afford the person full enjoyment of the premises." The owner "may, if reasonable, require the person to agree to restore the premises to the condition that existed before the modification, reasonable wear and tear excepted, but the owner may not require an additional security deposit for this purpose." That last clause, no extra deposit, is a detail worth knowing before the conversation with a landlord.

What we could not confirm

We found nothing in the statutes we read about town zoning permits for a ramp at a private home. Your town may have its own permit or zoning rules, so check with your town office before building, and contact the Division of Fire Safety if the building is a rental, condo or other public building.

Ice, freezing rain and wet springs

NOAA's Vermont climate summary warns that "freezing rain and frozen ground conditions can give rise to flooding," and that winter storms commonly include "icing events." It notes annual average precipitation "has increased nearly 6 inches since the 1960s." For a ramp, that adds up to a surface that grips when wet or frosty, a landing that sheds water rather than holding it, and a routine for clearing ice before anyone uses the slope. If the ramp ends near a downspout, move the downspout.

Door and threshold products

• Harmar Rubber Threshold Ramp. For a raised threshold up to 4 in, with a 36 in usable width and 850 lb capacity; the sections lock together with no tools, which suits renters who may need to restore the entry.
• Open Sesame Residential Automatic Door Opener. Unlatches the door through an electric strike, opens it up to 120 degrees and closes it again, with battery backup for power failures, a real consideration in ice storm country.
• Open Sesame Commercial Automatic Door Opener. Open Sesame's Model 233 for light commercial doors such as lobbies and restrooms, with closing speed that can be tuned for wind and an internal battery for outages. A fit for a condo entry or a church door.
• Open Sesame Large Wireless Wall Push Pad (FL). A thick metal push plate with the accessibility logo, which Open Sesame describes as very tamper-proof, for busy shared entrances.

Vermont's assistive technology program

The AT3 Center lists the Vermont Assistive Technology Program for device loans, demonstrations, reutilization and financial loans. The program's services page describes equipment demonstrations and a 30-day loan, free of charge, and its funding page points to a low-interest loan program for the purchase of assistive technology in Vermont.

Ordering and delivery to Vermont

We work with a team of credentialed local specialists to guarantee timely, safe, and optimal delivery and installation. We ship to the lower 48 states and DC, with free shipping on orders over $500 ($15 under $500), and we cover the sales tax on every order. Most products are processed in 2-5 business days; some brands differ. Our Vermont shipping page has the details, and the ramp fit check starts with the height of your entry.

Questions about ramps in Vermont

Do Vermont's state building rules apply to a ramp at my own home?

Vermont's fire and building safety rules apply to public buildings, and 20 V.S.A. § 2730 excludes an owner-occupied single-family residence unless it is used for a listed public purpose, such as renting accommodations. Your town may have its own requirements, so check with the town office before building.

Is a rental house a public building in Vermont?

Yes, under 20 V.S.A. § 2730, which lists "a building in which people rent accommodations, whether overnight or for a longer term" as a public building, along with cooperatives and condominiums. A ramp at a rental or condo therefore falls under the Division of Fire Safety's rules for that building.

Can a Vermont landlord charge an extra deposit for my ramp?

No. 9 V.S.A. § 4503(a)(9) requires an owner to permit reasonable modifications at the disabled person's expense when necessary for full enjoyment of the premises. The owner may reasonably require restoration afterward, reasonable wear and tear excepted, "but the owner may not require an additional security deposit for this purpose."

What ramp surface works in Vermont weather?

NOAA describes common icing events and notes freezing rain and frozen ground can cause flooding in Vermont. Choose a surface with grip when wet or icy, make sure the landing drains, and plan to clear snow and ice before each use. A covered entry helps a great deal.

Browse ramps and door openers, run the ramp fit check, or take the full assessment. Questions? Email us at info@faithmobility.com.

Sources

• 20 V.S.A. § 2730, definitions (public building)
• 20 V.S.A. § 2731, rules, inspections and variances
• 9 V.S.A. § 4503, unfair housing practices
• Vermont Division of Fire Safety: permits, applications and forms
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Summaries: Vermont (2022)
• AT3 Center: Vermont
• Vermont Assistive Technology Program: services, Funding
• Harmar Rubber Threshold Ramp product page, Open Sesame Residential product page, Open Sesame Commercial product page, Open Sesame Large Wireless Wall Push Pad (FL) product page