20 V.S.A. § ___ § 2906
Administration and enforcement
Operative Text
(a) The Department of Public Safety shall enforce the provisions of this chapter relating to facilities for persons with disabilities and shall adopt rules which are necessary for the performance of its duties under this chapter. (b) Any person may file a complaint with the Commissioner of Public Safety alleging that a public building or unit is out of compliance with the provisions of this chapter. The Commissioner shall investigate the complaint, and if substantiated, shall order that the public building or unit be brought into compliance with the provisions of this chapter within a reasonable period of time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Commissioner may establish a priority system for the investigation and enforcement of this chapter. (c) Any person who fails to carry out an order or condition attached to an approval shall be fined not more than $200.00 per day, not to exceed a maximum of $10,000.00, until compliance is effected. (d) On application by the Commissioner, the Superior Court for the county in which a violation of any rule adopted or any order issued under this chapter occurs shall have jurisdiction to enjoin or restrain the violation. An election by the Commissioner to proceed under this subsection shall not limit or restrict the Commissioner’s authority under this or other subchapters. (e) The Commissioner may assess penalties under section 2734 of this title against a person who violates this chapter or any rule adopted under this chapter. (Added 2003, No. 141 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. April 1, 2005.)
Vermont's 20 V.S.A. ch. 174 § 2906 establishes how the state enforces accessibility requirements for public buildings and facilities for persons with disabilities. The Department of Public Safety holds primary enforcement authority, and any member of the public may file a complaint with the Commissioner of Public Safety if they believe a public building or unit is out of compliance. When a violation is confirmed, the Commissioner can order corrective action, seek a court injunction, or assess civil penalties — including fines of up to $200 per day, capped at $10,000, for failure to comply with an order.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 20 V.S.A. ch. 174 § 2906, operators and owners of public buildings are expected to maintain ongoing compliance with Vermont's disability-accessibility requirements, not merely at the time of initial approval. Compliant operators generally respond promptly to any orders or conditions attached to approvals, since non-compliance can trigger daily fines of up to $200 per day with a $10,000 ceiling, as well as potential court-ordered injunctions. Keeping documentation of accessibility upgrades, inspections, and any correspondence with the Department of Public Safety is a practice commonly associated with demonstrating good-faith compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 2906 of 20 V.S.A. ch. 174 gives any person — including tenants or visitors — the right to file a complaint directly with the Commissioner of Public Safety if they believe a public building or unit fails to meet Vermont's disability-accessibility standards. Once a complaint is filed, the Commissioner is required to investigate and, if the complaint is substantiated, to order the building brought into compliance within a reasonable time. Individuals seeking to understand their options may also consult a tenant-rights organization or disability-rights advocacy group familiar with Vermont's accessibility laws.
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
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