How Ordinances Are Adopted or Updated

Town of Washington

What’s an Ordinance?

An ordinance is a local law adopted by the Selectboard. Ordinances cover topics such as traffic, parking, animal control, ATV ridership, and other town rules. Once adopted, they carry the same authority as state law within Washington.

When the Process Applies

The same process is used whenever the Selectboard adopts a new ordinance, or amends orrevises an existing one. Vermont law treats an “amendment” and a “revision” the same way.

How the Process Works

1. Drafting – The Selectboard writes or updates the ordinance text.

2. Adoption Vote – The Selectboard votes to adopt it at a public meeting.

3. Recordkeeping – The ordinance and vote are entered into the Selectboard minutes.

4. Public Notice – Within 14 days of adoption, the Town must:

• Post the ordinance (or a summary) in at least five public places, and

• Publish a notice in a newspaper that circulates in Washington. Currently we use

the Times Argus. The notice must say what the ordinance is about and where residents can read the full version.

5. Waiting Period / Petition Option – Residents have 44 days after the date of adoption to file a

Petition asking for a townwide vote.

• If no petition is filed, the ordinance takes effect 60 days after date of adoption.

• If a valid petition is filed, it takes effect only if approved by voters.

• A townwide vote will be taken by Australian Ballot as determined by the voters of Washington at a Special Town Meeting on May 11, 2024.

Why It Matters

Posting and publication make an ordinance legally enforceable. If those steps are skipped, enforcement actions (like tickets or fines) can be challenged and may not hold up.

Revisions and Updates

Any change to an ordinance—no matter how small—is treated as an amendment under Vermont law (24 V.S.A. § 1976) and requires the entire process be followed. All amendments follow the same process as adopting a new ordinance.

Where to Read Ordinances

Adopted ordinances and amendments are filed with the Town Clerk, posted on the Town website, and available at the Town Office during regular hours.

In Short

Adopt → Post + Publish → Wait → Effective (if no petition). This is Vermont’s legal process for creating or updating any Washington ordinance.