April 22, 2026
Act 181, passed in 2024, seeks to address Vermont's housing shortage while protecting critical natural resources through a new tier-based system for Act 250 jurisdiction. Yet certain provisions of the law (particularly the road rule and Tier 3) have sparked opposition from rural Vermonters over concerns that these provisions will impede necessary growth in rural communities and fall short of protecting critical natural resources.
At NOFA-VT, we envision a Vermont where thriving farms and agriculturally rooted communities support the long-term wellbeing of the earth and all its people. We know that our 2,500 members and many, many thousands more Vermonters share this vision and are actively working to build this future every day.
We believe that when ordinary Vermonters' voices and experiences are listened to from the beginning, and at every step along the way, we can create policies that reflect and uphold our values:
- Care and reciprocity between people and planet.
- Trust and integrity in everything we do.
- Justice and wellbeing for all.
So far in the rollout of Act 181, too many people have not felt heard. We can do better. We can build the housing we so desperately need. We can protect the health of our forests, soil, water, and wildlife habitat. We can invest in the success of our rural communities, farms, and working forests. To get this right, we must first ask: what do they (we) need?
The legislature is about a month from adjourning, and lawmakers are taking seriously the concerns they are hearing from constituents about parts of Act 181. We expect the legislature to take action to change portions of Act 181 in the short term, and we know the conversation about land use reform will continue well into the future. As a member-led organization, we want and need to hear from you on this issue.
Please take a moment to share your thoughts on Act 181 and your ideas for land-use policy that reflects our shared vision and values.