Public Records Request

Vermont Public Records

Under Vermont's Public Records Act, 1 V.S.A. §§ 315-320, any person has the right to request inspection or copying of a public record from government agencies, including municipalities. 

What if there is a request for a record that does not already exist?
The Act does not require the creation of a public record that does not already exist. A municipality may choose to create a record upon request and may charge a fee for this service. Decisions to create documents are based on preserving the security of public records and to prevent the disruption of operations. Records are available for inspection in person for free. 

What if a request is made for a large volume of records?
To reduce the time spent responding to a request which may cost fees, please follow these suggestions:

  • Narrow the scope of the request.
  • Narrow the date range. 
  • Be specific in the description of the records you are requesting. For example, instead of asking for "all documents related to the property at 81 Main Street last year", ask for "all electricity statements issued to 81 Main Street between October to December."
  • Try to find the records using our website resource tools. 

Website Resources


Property Cards
Residential property cards can be viewed online.

Zoning Permits and Certificate of Occupancy
Our Zoning Permit Archive and Certificate of Occupancy (CO) Archive allows you to view permits and COs that have been digitized to date. Permits and COs are listed by year and then street address.

Waste Water Permits
Waste Water Permits are issued through the State of Vermont and can be searched for on the state website.

Land Records
Create an account and find scanned documents online.

Building Codes
The Town of Essex does not have building codes. Records may be found by contacting the Vermont Department of Public Service and Vermont Division of Safety.

Fire Department
Contact the Vermont Division of Fire Safety and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources for:

  • Use/storage, release or spillage of hazardous materials (HAZMAT), or substances or petroleum products that have ever been located on a property;
  • Site remediation records for a property;
  • Any underground storage tanks (USTs) and aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) on a property;
  • Soil investigations

Still have questions?

Submit a public records request.