Local landlord and tenant rules in Burlington, Vermont
Burlington, Vermont has local rules on security deposits (Burlington Code of Ordinances § 18-120) and rental registration (Burlington Code of Ordinances ch. 18), on top of Vermont law.
Local rules in Burlington, Vermont
Security deposits
In Burlington a landlord must return a security deposit within 14 days of the tenant moving out, with a written statement itemizing any deduction, and a tenant who disputes a deduction may ask the City’s Housing Board of Review to decide it — within 30 days of the landlord’s notice, or within 44 days of moving out if no notice came.
Source: Burlington Code of Ordinances § 18-120. Checked on November 11, 2026.
Rental registration
Every long- and short-term rental in Burlington is on the City’s rental registry, and the yearly rental unit registration fees must be paid — postmarked — by April 1. The Housing Division enforces the minimum housing code (chapter 18) and schedules its inspections through the registry.
Source: Burlington Code of Ordinances ch. 18. Checked on November 11, 2026.
Vermont rules that apply in Burlington
| Rule | Vermont |
|---|---|
| How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Vermont? | 14 days |
| How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent in Vermont? | 60 days |
| How much notice must a landlord give to end a tenancy in Vermont? | 60 / 90 days by tenancy length |
| How much notice does a landlord have to give before entering in Vermont? | 48 hours |
| How many days does a tenant get to pay late rent in Vermont? | 14 days to pay |
| How much can a landlord charge for a rental application fee in Vermont? | Not permitted |
| Can a landlord refuse a Section 8 voucher in Vermont? | Protected: a landlord may not refuse one |
| Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant for complaining in Vermont? | Presumed within 90 days |
Every Vermont rule Seayora publishes.
The homes these rules cover in Burlington
58.5% of the occupied homes in Burlington are rented, about 10,237 households, a share higher than across Vermont (26.8%).
The median gross rent is $1,649 a month, higher than across Vermont ($1,234); that is what households report paying, utilities included, not the asking rent for a vacant apartment.
55.6% of renters there pay 30% or more of their income on rent.
72.0% of the homes were built before 1980, and the federal lead-paint disclosure rule covers housing built before 1978.
| Burlington | Chittenden County | Vermont | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that rent | 58.5% (±2.6 points) | 36.1% | 26.8% |
| Median gross rent | $1,649 (±$53) | $1,646 | $1,234 |
| Renters paying 30% or more of income on rent | 55.6% (±4.4 points) | 50.4% | 48.4% |
| Median income of renter households | $53,269 (±$3,472) | $59,998 | $49,234 |
| Homes built before 1980 | 72.0% (±4.3 points) | 47.8% | 56.1% |
| Homes in buildings of five or more units | 33.3% (±3.1 points) | 21.3% | 11.0% |
| Households that moved in since 2020 | 38.3% (±3.2 points) | 26.4% | 20.8% |
All housing figures for Burlington: rent by bedrooms, home values, property taxes, commute.
Source: US Census Bureau, Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Burlington. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Questions about Burlington’s local rules
Does Burlington limit security deposits?
In Burlington a landlord must return a security deposit within 14 days of the tenant moving out, with a written statement itemizing any deduction, and a tenant who disputes a deduction may ask the City’s Housing Board of Review to decide it — within 30 days of the landlord’s notice, or within 44 days of moving out if no notice came. (Burlington Code of Ordinances § 18-120)
Do landlords have to register rentals in Burlington?
Every long- and short-term rental in Burlington is on the City’s rental registry, and the yearly rental unit registration fees must be paid — postmarked — by April 1. The Housing Division enforces the minimum housing code (chapter 18) and schedules its inspections through the registry. (Burlington Code of Ordinances ch. 18)
This is a summary of the local rules Seayora has read from each place’s own code, not legal advice. Ordinances change and a rule may have exceptions; check the citation and the office named before acting.