# 10 V.S.A. § 1447: Lake shoreland vegetation protection standards

> Vermont · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T10_C49A_S1447

## Section

- **Citation:** 10 V.S.A. § 1447
- **Heading:** Lake shoreland vegetation protection standards
- **Jurisdiction:** Vermont
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** VT Code / Title 10 / Chapter 49A / Section 1447

## Text

(a) Within 100 feet of the mean water level, cutting of trees is allowed provided that a well-distributed stand of trees and other natural vegetation is maintained. Vegetation management that occurs within the protected shoreland area and that is conducted according to the requirements of this section shall not be counted toward the cleared area on a parcel.

(b) A “well-distributed stand of trees” shall be defined as maintaining a minimum rating score of 12, in each 25-foot by 25-foot area within 100 feet of the mean water level, as determined by the following rating system.

(2) The following shall govern in applying this point system:

(A) 25-foot by 25-foot plots shall be established for vegetation management purposes.

(B) Each successive plot must be adjacent to but not overlap a previous plot.

(C) Any plot not containing the required points must have no vegetative cover removed unless the removal is allowed pursuant to a registration or individual permit.

(D) Any plot containing the required points may have trees removed down to the minimum points allowed.

(E) Existing vegetative cover under three feet in height and other ground cover, including leaf litter and the forest duff layer, shall not be cut, covered, or removed, except to provide for a footpath or as allowed pursuant to a registration or individual permit.

(F) Pruning of tree branches on the bottom one-third of a tree's height is allowed.

(G) Removal of dead, diseased, or unsafe trees shall be allowed regardless of points.

(c) As used in this section, “other natural vegetation” means retaining existing vegetation under three feet in height and other ground cover and retaining at least five saplings less than two inches in diameter at four and one-half feet above ground level for each 25-foot by 25-foot area. If five saplings do not exist, no woody stems less than two inches in diameter can be removed until five saplings have been planted or rooted in the plot.

## Nearby sections

- [10 V.S.A. § 1441 § 1441. Purpose](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T10_C49A_S1441.md)
- [10 V.S.A. § 1442 § 1442. Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T10_C49A_S1442.md)
- [10 V.S.A. § 1443 § 1443. Individual permit requirements for impervious surface or cleared area in a protected shoreland area](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T10_C49A_S1443.md)
- [10 V.S.A. § 1444 § 1444. Permit standards](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T10_C49A_S1444.md)
- [10 V.S.A. § 1445 § 1445. Nonconforming parcels; permit standards](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T10_C49A_S1445.md)
- [10 V.S.A. § 1446 § 1446. Registered projects; exemptions from permitting](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T10_C49A_S1446.md)
- [10 V.S.A. § 1447 § 1447. Lake shoreland vegetation protection standards](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T10_C49A_S1447.md)
- [10 V.S.A. § 1448 § 1448. Municipal delegation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T10_C49A_S1448.md)
- [10 V.S.A. § 1449 § 1449. Coordination of Agency of Natural Resources' permitting of activities in protected shoreland areas](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T10_C49A_S1449.md)
- [10 V.S.A. § 1450 § 1450. Municipal zoning bylaw or ordinance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T10_C49A_S1450.md)
- [10 V.S.A. § 1450a § 1450a. Rulemaking](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T10_C49A_S1450a.md)
- [10 V.S.A. § 1450b § 1450b. Education and outreach; citizen's guide](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T10_C49A_S1450b.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T10_C49A_S1447. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.