It is strictly regulated.
Vermont permits private ownership of armored combat vehicles (e.g., tanks) under strict conditions, but compliance hinges on federal NFA registration, state environmental permits, and local zoning approvals. The 2026 Vermont Legislature’s Armored Vehicle Accountability Act imposes additional reporting requirements for tracked vehicles, aligning with federal ATF oversight. Misclassification risks civil penalties under 2 V.S.A. § 235.
Key Regulations for Owning a Tank in Vermont
- Federal Compliance: Tanks classified as “destructive devices” under the National Firearms Act (26 U.S.C. § 5845) require ATF Form 1/4 registration, fingerprinting, and a $200 tax stamp. Unregistered possession constitutes a felony under 18 U.S.C. § 922(o).
- State Environmental Permits: The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) mandates a Hazardous Waste Storage Permit (Env-Hw-101) if the vehicle contains residual fuel, lubricants, or lead-acid batteries, per 10 V.S.A. § 6615a.
- Local Zoning Restrictions: Municipalities like Burlington and Montpelier enforce Special Use Permits for heavy vehicles under local land-use ordinances (e.g., Burlington Zoning Code § 23-105), barring storage in residential districts.