Vermont

Residential

The Vermont Residential Building Energy Standard (RBES) is Vermont’s mandatory residential code and is based on the 2000 IECC.

On May 27, the Vermont Energy Act of 2009 (H.446) became law and directs the Commissioner of the Department of Public Service to adopt the 2009 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2007 as well as develop a plan to achieve compliance with these codes in 90% of new building space within eight years (as directed by the federal stimulus legislation ARRA, or the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act). Vermont hopes to have the new codes effective by January 1, 2011.

Commercial

Vermont has a mandatory commercial code called the Commercial Building Energy Standards (CBES) which is based on amendments to the IECC 2004 Supplement and includes an alternative path from ASHRAE 90.1-2004 with amendments. This code is also applicable to residential buildings that are 4 stories or greater.

The 2005 Vermont Guidelines for Energy Efficient Commercial Construction is a stand-alone document for the State of Vermont based upon amendments to the International Energy Conservation Code 2004 Supplement.

On May 27, the Vermont Energy Act of 2009 (H.446) became law and directs the Commissioner of the Department of Public Service to adopt the 2009 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2007 as well as develop a plan to achieve compliance with these codes in 90% of new building space within eight years (as directed by the federal stimulus legislation ARRA, or the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act). Vermont hopes to have the new codes effective by January 1, 2011.

The state has a triennial code review process. Beginning three years after January 1, 2011, the Department of Public Service shall update the residential and commercial codes to incorporate the most recent versions of the IECC and ASHRAE Standard 90.1, with an effective date within three months of final adoption. 

Revisions to the residential code go through a process specified in the State Administrative Procedures Act, including public notification, public hearing, testimony, and comments. The Vermont Department of Public Service must provide technical assistance and expert advice to the Commissioner of Labor and Industry on the interpretation of the RBES and in formulating specific revisions to the RBES. At least one year prior to adopting required revisions to the RBES, the Department of Public Service must convene an advisory committee to provide recommendations to the commissioner.

H.466 directs the Department of Public Service to complete rulemaking on the adoption of the 2009 IECC for residential buildings (new construction and renovations of more than 500 square feet) and either the 2009 IECC or ASHRAE 90.1-2007 for commercial buildings by January 1, 2011, effective immediately upon final adoption.

Residential

Compliance with the RBES is through self-certification by the builder on a one-page form. There are five ways to  demonstrate compliance with the RBES after the list of basic requirements has been satisfied, those are:
1) a prescriptive list of features
2) tradeoff variations
3) VTCOMcheck software
4) a home energy rating greater than or equal to 82
5) an A/E systems analysis.

The City of Burlington Department of Public Works determines compliance with the Burlington city ordinance.

By September 1, 2011, the Commissioner must issue a plan to achieve 90% compliance by February 1, 2017. The Commissioner must also establish training and enforcement programs and a system to annually measure the compliance rate by June 30, 2012.

Commercial

The Vermont Department of Labor and Industry determines compliance for state-funded new commercial construction. The City of Burlington Department of Public Works determines compliance with the Burlington city ordinance.

COMcheck may be used to demonstrate compliance.

By September 1, 2011, the Commissioner must issue a plan to achieve 90% compliance by February 1, 2017. The Commissioner must also establish training and enforcement programs and a system to annually measure the compliance rate by June 30, 2012.