No, squatting is illegal in Vermont. Trespassing laws criminalize unauthorized occupancy, while eviction processes under 12 V.S.A. § 4853 require court orders. Local sheriffs enforce removal, and 2026 amendments to Act 173 tighten penalties for forcible entry.
Key Regulations for Squatting in Vermont
- Criminal Trespass (13 V.S.A. § 3705): Unlawful entry onto private property is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to $1,000 in fines or 6 months imprisonment. Repeated offenses escalate to felony charges under 13 V.S.A. § 3706.
- Forcible Entry Prohibition (9 V.S.A. § 4452): Changing locks or barring access without landlord consent constitutes criminal trespass, enforceable by local constables or the Vermont State Police.
- Eviction Protocols (12 V.S.A. § 4853): Landlords must obtain a court order via summary process; self-help evictions, including lockouts, violate 9 V.S.A. § 4460 and trigger civil liability.
Local housing authorities, such as the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA), monitor compliance with Act 173’s 2026 updates, which mandate enhanced tenant screening and expedited court hearings for disputed occupancies. Municipalities like Burlington’s Code Enforcement Division collaborate with state agencies to prosecute squatting cases under unified enforcement guidelines.