An act relating to creating a residential property tax subclass for uninhabitable buildings

This bill proposes the creation of a special category for residential property taxes specifically for buildings that are uninhabitable. This means that properties deemed unlivable could be taxed differently, potentially reducing the financial burden on owners of such properties. The goal is to address issues related to vacant and dilapidated buildings in the state.

VT H0646 is a house bill in the Vermont 2025-2026 Session, sponsored by Lawrence Satcowitz (D), currently “Introduced” since January 13, 2026.

We track 1,717 Vermont bills this session, 15 of them sponsored by Lawrence Satcowitz.

Supporters of this bill argue that it provides much-needed relief to property owners who are unable to occupy their homes due to safety or structural issues. By offering a lower tax rate on uninhabitable buildings, the bill encourages property owners to invest in repairs and renovations, ultimately improving community standards and property values.

Critics may argue that this bill could lead to a loss of tax revenue for local governments, which rely on property taxes to fund essential services. Additionally, there are concerns that it might incentivize property owners to neglect their responsibilities, leading to more uninhabitable buildings and further deterioration of neighborhoods.