Off-Grid Living in Brookfield, Vermont

I've been digging into what off-grid living actually looks like in Brookfield, Vermont, and the short version is: this is a zoned town, and the state of Vermont layers its own permit requirements on top. Nobody here can wave a "no building code" flag and skip permits altogether.

Zoning. Brookfield adopted a Development Bylaw (in place since 2010) that requires a development permit and building permit approval before you build anything new or expand an existing structure. That process runs through the town's Administrative Officer/Zoning Administrator, with appeals going to the Development Review Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment. This is a town-level rule, and it applies whether you're building a cabin, a shed you plan to live in, or expanding a farmhouse.

Dwellings, tiny homes, RVs. I couldn't pin down specific text in the bylaw about minimum dwelling size or RV occupancy. This is genuinely unclear from what's published online, so I'd call the Zoning Administrator directly before assuming a tiny home or RV is fine to live in full-time.

Building permits. Vermont doesn't have a statewide residential building code for owner-occupied homes, that's a state-level fact, which means local bylaws like Brookfield's carry the real weight. You need a permit here before construction.

Septic and composting toilets. This one's state-level and non-negotiable: Vermont's Department of Environmental Conservation has held universal jurisdiction over wastewater and water supply permitting since 2007. Any new residence needing a septic system or well requires a Wastewater System and Potable Water Supply Permit, issued through the DEC regional office covering Orange County. Brookfield doesn't have its own separate septic rule, it just follows the state's.

Greywater. Same story, folded into the state's wastewater permitting for systems under 6,500 gallons/day. No separate town greywater bylaw exists that I found.

Rainwater harvesting. I found no Brookfield-specific restriction here. State guidance is generally permissive for non-potable uses, so this looks like the most open category, though I'd still confirm with the town if you're planning something large-scale.

Wells. Regulated at the state level through the same DEC Water Supply Program, no additional Brookfield rule layered on top.

Off-grid utilities. Brookfield doesn't require hooking into utilities, but you still need that town building/development permit, and any water or wastewater system still needs its separate state DEC permit. Going off-grid doesn't exempt you from either process.

Bottom line: expect two separate government layers to deal with, the town for zoning/building, the state for water and waste. Call ahead before you buy land or break ground.