20 V.S.A. § ___ § 2903
Exemptions
Operative Text
(a) The following are exempt from the provisions of this chapter, unless compliance with access standards is required by federal law: (1) Alterations to privately funded and operated dwelling units consisting of two or more stories within a single dwelling unit. This exemption shall not apply to alterations of dwelling units that are operated by State or local government or units that receive federal financial assistance to alter the unit or to provide rental assistance to an altered unit. (2) Apartments or rooming houses, cooperatives, condominiums, and other residential buildings consisting of three living units or less. (3) Alterations to the dwelling unit in a public building in which the owner of the public building resides. (b) Unless required by federal law, dwelling units that consist of three stories or less and two- or three-story retail establishments with a total of 15,000 square feet or less shall be exempt from any requirements pertaining to the installation of elevators. All other multistory buildings shall be provided with vertical access unless the building is exempted from this requirement pursuant to a rule of the Access Board. (c) Unless required by federal law, any single dwelling unit of two or more stories within a building consisting of four or more dwelling units is not required to have a vertical access within the dwelling unit, provided that five percent of the dwelling units or one unit, whichever is greater, has an accessible entrance, and all the dwelling units meet or exceed the minimum standards required in section 2907 of this title. (Added 2003, No. 141 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. April 1, 2005.)
Vermont's accessibility law under 20 V.S.A. ch. 174 § 2903 carves out several categories of residential buildings and alterations from the chapter's general access requirements, unless federal law independently mandates compliance. Small residential buildings of three units or fewer, certain privately funded multi-story single dwelling units, and owner-occupied public buildings are among the exempt categories. Additionally, low-rise buildings and small retail spaces are generally not required to install elevators, and individual multi-story units within larger buildings may be exempt from internal vertical access requirements if a minimum share of units in the building meets accessible-entrance standards and all units satisfy the baseline requirements of § 2907.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers should recognize that 20 V.S.A. ch. 174 § 2903 does not automatically relieve all residential properties from accessibility obligations — the exemptions are conditional and federal law can override them. Operators of buildings with four or more dwelling units who wish to rely on the multi-story unit exemption in subsection (c) generally ensure that at least five percent of units (or at least one unit) has an accessible entrance and that all units meet the § 2907 minimums. Properties receiving federal financial assistance or operated by state or local government should be reviewed carefully, as the exemption for privately funded multi-story alterations explicitly does not extend to those situations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in smaller residential buildings or multi-story units may find that their building is exempt from certain Vermont accessibility requirements under 20 V.S.A. ch. 174 § 2903, but federal accessibility laws may still apply independently and provide separate protections. If a tenant believes a landlord is incorrectly claiming an exemption — particularly in a building that receives federal financial assistance or is government-operated — that concern can generally be raised with a tenant-rights organization or a relevant housing agency. Tenants with disabilities who believe federal law entitles them to accommodations not covered by the state exemptions may wish to explore complaint processes available through federal fair housing channels.
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.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation