Cases from Vermont

North Hero

North Hero, Vermont has had an extensive, multi-year process surrounding private flight and landing areas. A 2018 application for a private airstrip began a debate in the North Hero community over whether or not the town supported private flight projects. Initially, the town reviewed options for regulating private landing areas, however a petition by residents led to a town-wide vote on whether to prohibit private landing areas altogether. In March 2023, the town voted overwhelmingly to codify a ban on private airstrips.

Lake Champlain © Public Domain

In 2018 dozens of town residents opposed a private airstrip application, leading to its withdrawal by applicants. However, in order to ensure the town is protected from future private land areas, this year at town meeting residents voted on whether to prohibit private landing strips and helipads altogether.

“I'm a firm believer in, if you've got a bunch of land, you should be able to do whatever you want with it.
Firm believer! But you gotta take into consideration how it's going to affect your neighbors."

Cleared for Takeoff? Airstrip Proposal Rattles North Hero Residents. Debbie Bumgardner, North Hero, Seven Days, 2018

Here is the most recent edition of the North Hero Development Regulations after the March 7th, 2023 amendment. The recent amendment approved by the citizens of North Hero to prohibit the creation of future Restricted Landing Areas can be found on the second page of the introduction. 

Here are some articles covering the events in North Hero:

  • Seven Days article on the initial application.

  • Seven Days article on the application withdrawal.

  • Seven Days article that discusses the North Hero community vote to ban private airstrips.

  • The Islander article “As larger bylaws hearing is postponed, North Hero residents sound off on helipad”

Additional background documents:

  • Letter from the North Hero Planning Commission. Re: State of Vermont RLA Permit Proceedings.