Planning and Zoning Department Planning and Zoning Department
content
The Planning & Zoning Department is comprised of a Zoning and Planning Administrator, Nora Ventrella. There are additionally twelve citizen planners who serve on the Planning Commission and the Development Review Board. We are also supported by the Windham Regional Commission, the Rockingham Selectboard, and participating landowners/residents. These partnerships guide the town’s planning framework and land-use regulations for all development occurring in Rockingham.
content
The Development Review Board (DRB) is composed of 5-9 residents who act as the Town's designated quasi-judicial panel for review and decision-making related to land use and development. The primary role of the DRB is to hear and decide on development and land use matters under local bylaws and state planning laws, ensuring land development conforms to applicable regulations.
See the DRB Webpage for 1) meeting agendas and minutes, 2) development applications pending hearing, and 3) other resources.
content
The Rockingham Planning Commission is a volunteer municipal panel consisting of up to nine members appointed by the Rockingham Selectboard. In accordance with 24 V.S.A. Chapter 117, the Planning Commission is responsible for preparing and maintaining the Town Plan and recommending to the Selectboard the adoption, amendment, or repeal of the Town’s Land Development Regulations, including the Zoning Bylaws, Subdivision Regulations, and Flood Hazard Area Zoning Bylaws.
Town Plans
Rockingham Town Plan
The Rockingham Town Plan was finalized in September 2024 with public input and funding from the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development. This plan establishes a template for future growth which concentrates development within existing villages and downtown Bellows Falls and directs development to areas with existing services while preserving rural land, natural resources, scenic landscapes, and historic character. The plan also emphasizes avoiding flood-prone areas, supporting economic growth that aligns with infrastructure capacity, and fostering community and economic activities that strengthen a vibrant, healthy, and resilient Rockingham.
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (2022 Update)
The 2022 Hazard Mitigation Plan for the town of Rockingham is an update to a 2015 Multi-Jurisdictional Plan adopted by the Town of Rockingham and the Villages of Bellows Falls and Saxtons River. This plan was created through a collaborative effort involving the Windham Regional Commission, Sustainable Rockingham, and a core planning team composed of Rockingham residents, town employees, and Selectboard, Conservation Commission, and Energy Committee members. The purpose of the Hazard Plan update was to help the Town identify hazards and develop strategies to reduce long-term risks to people and property. It emphasized that proactive hazard mitigation is more cost-effective than repairing damage after disasters and can be integrated into all phases of emergency management.
Rockingham Zoning Bylaws
The primary goal of the Planning & Zoning Department is to establish and enforce Rockingham’s land use-related bylaws, regulations, and ordinances, which are written to align with the planning goals established by the Town Plan and to comply with Vermont State statute.
The Zoning Bylaws were last updated in 2025 by a subcommittee that included members of the Development Review Board, Planning Commission, and others. The Bylaws divide the town of Rockingham into ten zoning districts and the village of Bellows Falls into nine zoning districts, which include rural residential, agricultural, commercial and industrial, conservation and recreation, designated downtown, watershed, and historical districts.
content
Flood Hazard Areas:
Floodplain regulations are designed to save lives and property by reducing damage from flooding through safer land use and construction practices. They also preserve natural floodplain functions, protect the environment, and help communities qualify for flood insurance.
The Town of Rockingham regulates the special Flood Hazard Areas as defined in the most current flood insurance studies and maps published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). All new construction, substantial improvement, and other development occurring in these areas are required to receive a conditional use permit from the Development Review Board and comply with the procedures and requirements of the Flood Hazard Bylaw regulations.
The most recent Flood Hazard Areas for Rockingham can be found using the Town of Rockingham Web GIS portal and selecting "flood map" from the available layers. More detailed Flood Hazard layers are also available through the State of Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Atlas.
content
Design Review Supplements
These documents are intended to serve as a supplement and illustrated guide to the design review guidelines outlined in sections 2426, 3300, 3310, 3315, 3340, 3356, 3450, 4700, 4713, and 4718 of the Rockingham Zoning Regulations.
These documents apply to two zoning districts: 1) Rockingham Central Business Sub-District (CB7), and 2) the Industrial 14 Subdistrict (IND-14) and are applicable to all new construction, reconstruction,
enlargement, exterior alterations, additions, demolition, major landscape and site work, signage or lighting within these districts. They are intended to assist property owners and developers with the preliminary planning and design of projects prior to permit application and approval.
Zoning Permits
The Zoning Department permits all development occurring in the Town of Rockingham. The term "development" includes:
The division of land into two or more parcels; the construction, reconstruction, structural alteration, relocation, or enlargement of any building or structure; any mining, excavation, or landfill undertaken in connection with construction; and any change in the use of a building, structure, or land, or any extension of the use of land.
We administer the Town’s Zoning Bylaws, Subdivision Regulations, Flood Hazard Zoning Bylaws, and other local ordinances. We also partner with the citizen planners who serve on the Rockingham Planning Commission and the Rockingham Development Review Board. Permits that can be issued by the town planner are small-scale developments such as houses, residential additions, sheds, and barns. Commercial development, large scale residential development, and land subdivision are handled by citizen planners serving on the Development Review Board. Development Review-Residents and businesses often contact our office and receive feedback before submitting an official application. We strongly encourage all applicants to contact us early to develop a zoning application together. Depending on the zoning district, property use, structure, and lot details, applications can be handled administratively or by the Development Review Board (DRB). The applicant works with planning staff who issue the permit if the application can be handled administratively.
If the application scenario requires DRB approval, the following process is followed: a public meeting is warned to the public generally and to abutters individually. The DRB hears testimony, asks questions, deliberates, and provides a written decision which, if approved, the Zoning Administrator uses to issue the permit. The DRB hearing process is accomplished by citizen volunteers who work hard to ensure development applications are handled fairly and according to the local and state law, for the betterment of the community’s quality of life.
content
Permit Applications:
Zoning permit and other permit applications can be downloaded here as well as on the Forms & Permits page. Fill-in form applications do not need to be signed. We accept fully electronic submissions if the applicant’s full name is typed into the form.
Blank applications are available and can be mailed to applicants by request. Email or call to request an application (zoning@rockbf.org / 802-289-4874).
Fees are required upon submission of your application and may be made on the Town of Rockingham website using the Online Payment Portal link, referencing your property parcel number. Checks may be mailed with hard copy applications or submissions and payments can be made, in person, at the Rockingham Town Hall Offices.
content
Find My Parcel Number:
Navigate to the Town of Rockingham’s AxisGIS portal using this link. Search by address, name, or navigate to your property’s location on the map. The property parcel number is the bold font seven digit number displayed on the parcel map (for example, 0440211).
E911 Coordination
The Zoning Coordinator is appointed by the Select board to act as the Town of Rockingham's Enhanced 911 Coordinator, and is responsible for: 1) acting as a liaison between the town and the Vermont E911 Board for database and mapping issues, 2) applying the municipal addressing system to new addresses, or those needing address changes, 3) submitting address and road changes to the E911 Board, and 4) maintaining the Emergency Service Zone (ESZ) database and emergency service provider information.
New address and address change requests should be submitted to the Zoning Administrator.
Order an E911 Address Sign
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is an E911 Sign and do I need one?
The Town of Rockingham requires that address numbers are visible from the highway. Clearly posted address numbers help emergency responders find your home or building quickly. This is especially important in rural areas where structures may be far from the road or hidden by trees. An added benefit is that delivery personnel can also easily find your house.
I already have an address sign on my house and/or mailbox, will it work?
Yes, if it’s visible from both directions of the highway, at least three inches tall, reflective, and mounted at least a few feet off the ground.
Where do I install my address sign/s?
1. Address numbers must be reflective and at least 3 inches tall, so they are easy to see from the road.
2. Every addressed structure must have an address number posted on the front of the building. The address sign should be visible from both directions of the highway.
3. Mailboxes must also display the house number. If the mailbox is not located in front of the building and the building is visible from the road, the number must also be posted on the building.
4. If the building cannot be seen from the road and there is no mailbox at the driveway, a sign or number post must be installed at the driveway entrance.
5. Numbers may be displayed vertically or horizontally.
6. Shared driveways must be marked at the start of the driveway and again where the driveway splits, showing the address for each building.
7. In Vermont, address numbers must be placed high enough to remain visible above snow during an average winter. They should also be placed where they are not likely to be covered by tall grass, shrubs, or trees.
content
4. If the building cannot be seen from the road and there is no mailbox at the driveway, a sign or number post must be installed at the driveway entrance.
5. Numbers may be displayed vertically or horizontally.
6. Shared driveways must be marked at the start of the driveway and again where the driveway splits, showing the address for each building.
7. In Vermont, address numbers must be placed high enough to remain visible above snow during an average winter. They should also be placed where they are not likely to be covered by tall grass, shrubs, or trees.
Where do I install my address sign/s?
1. Address numbers must be reflective and at least 3 inches tall, so they are easy to see from the road.
2. Every addressed structure must have an address number posted on the front of the building. The address sign should be visible from both directions of the highway.
3. Mailboxes must also display the house number. If the mailbox is not located in front of the building and the building is visible from the road, the number must also be posted on the building.
4. If the building cannot be seen from the road and there is no mailbox at the driveway, a sign or number post must be installed at the driveway entrance.
5. Numbers may be displayed vertically or horizontally.
6. Shared driveways must be marked at the start of the driveway and again where the driveway splits, showing the address for each building.
7. In Vermont, address numbers must be placed high enough to remain visible above snow during an average winter. They should also be placed where they are not likely to be covered by tall grass, shrubs, or trees.
Section Tools
Hello
What is a Passkey?
Imagine signing into your account as easily as unlocking your phone—no more worrying about remembering or typing a password. A passkey is a secure digital key that uses the safety features in your device to keep your account protected. It’s designed to be both simple to use and highly secure.
Ready to experience a simpler, safer sign-in? Click the button above to create your passkey now.