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Senate advances bill to let ANR issue general permits for water and sewer connections, lowers fees
Summary
The Senate ordered S212 to third reading after committees endorsed a plan to let the Agency of Natural Resources create a general permit and manual for potable water and wastewater connections, allow partial municipal delegation, and establish simplified fee tiers ($250, $2,500, $5,000) by flow rate.
The Vermont Senate on Friday advanced S212, legislation aimed at simplifying the state permitting process for potable water and wastewater connections and reducing costs for common, lower‑risk projects.
Sen. Watson, reporting for the Natural Resources Committee, said the bill responds to a long‑running concern that developers must obtain duplicative municipal and state permits when connecting to public water and sewer systems. S212 would require the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) to establish a general permit for routine water and sewer connections, publish a guidance manual for licensed designers and engineers, permit partial municipal delegation where municipalities meet technical criteria, and adopt a simplified fee schedule.
Key provisions: ANR would publish a manual and a general permit structure (target publication by the end of 2027) and begin accepting general permit applications in 2028. The bill creates three fee tiers tied to estimated daily flow: under 2,000 gallons/day — $250; 2,000–6,500 gallons/day — $2,500; and over 6,500 gallons/day — $5,000. Municipalities receiving partial delegation may charge developers for technical review but must file the completed permit with the state and remit $100 to ANR to maintain the statewide permit database.
Committee perspective: Watson framed S212 as effectively a housing bill because reducing permitting time and cost can accelerate development. The Natural Resources Committee described prior attempts at delegation and why a partial, capacity‑based approach paired with a manual is preferable. The Finance Committee reviewed the Natural Resources Committee amendment and recommended adoption.
Floor action: The Senate adopted the Natural Resources Committee amendment as recommended by Finance and ordered S212 to third reading.
Next steps: ANR must publish the general permit and manual by the end of 2027 and begin accepting applications in 2028; sponsors said the statute and rules that previously authorized full municipal delegation would become obsolete once the general permit is in place.
