Public Comment Period Open on Building Energy Standards

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2025/2026 Vermont Building Energy Standards Update  

On September 17, 2025, Governor Phil Scott signed Executive Order 06-25, which aims to promote housing construction and rehabilitation and address Vermont’s severe housing shortage. The order addresses regulatory barriers and permitting requirements, energy code standards, and permitting costs associated with housing projects.

The Executive Order (EO) reinstates the 2020 Building Code Energy Standards for residential and commercial buildings. The EO states, "All persons commencing building construction projects on July 1, 2024 or after shall have the option of complying with the 2020 Vermont Residential Building Energy Standards (RBES), [2020] Commercial Building Energy Standards (CBES), including the 2020 Stretch Code, or the 2024 RBES and CBES."

The Department has started the rulemaking process to effectuate the Building Energy Code Reform section of Governor Scott’s Executive Order. Below are links to the initial rulemaking documents that have been filed with the Interagency Committee for Administrative Rules (ICAR). 

The proposed Rules were filed with the Secretary of State on December 24th and posted on the SOS website on December 31st, 2025. Copies of those filings are available at the following links:

The public comment period is now open. Public comments on the proposed rule will be accepted from now until 4:30 PM, February 9th, 2026, via email at:

psd.codeupdateres@ vermont.gov for comments on the RBES Rule, and

psd.codeupdatecomm@ vermont.gov for comments on the CBES Rule. 

In addition, two public hearings will be held on Monday, February 2nd, 2026, at the Department of Public Service, Giga Conference Room, Third Floor, 112 State Street, Montpelier. Links to attend online via MS TEAMs are provided below:

  • RBES Public Hearing - Feb. 2, 2026, 1:30 to 3:00 PM - MS TEAMs Link
  • CBES Public Hearing - Feb. 2, 2026, 3:00 to 4:30 PM - MS TEAMs Link

The remainder of the rulemaking process includes the following steps. Please check this page for updates on the status of the RBES and CBES Rules.

  • Written comments will be accepted at least through the 7th day following the public hearing.
  • After the public comment period ends, public comments will be processed and changes to the Rule made as appropriate.
  • Final Proposed Rule filed with the Sec. of State and the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (LCAR)
  • LCAR hearing date set
  • Within 45 days of filing, LCAR must take action on the rule:
    • If LCAR votes to object to the rule, the PSD has 14 days to respond in writing
    • If LCAR votes to adopt the rule, the final adopted rule must be filed with the Sec. of State and LCAR
  • Rule becomes effective on the date stipulated in the final adopted rule, no less than three months after the adoption date.
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