Washington County Property Records
How To Search Property Records in Washington County in 2026
WashingtonVTRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to property records in Washington County, Vermont. Members of the public may find ownership histories, deed transfers, tax assessments, recorded liens, mortgage documents, and parcel mapping data through the resources described below. Record availability may vary depending on the age of the document and the digitization status of the originating office.
Property records in Washington County may include:
- Deeds and title transfer documents
- Property tax assessments and payment histories
- Recorded mortgages and satisfactions
- Liens (tax, judgment, mechanic's)
- Plat maps and land surveys
- Zoning and land use designations
- Building permit records
Records may be searched through the following official resources:
- Washington County Clerk's Office – for recorded instruments including deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vermont Department of Taxes – for property tax information including assessments and tax bills
- Vermont Center for Geographic Information (VCGI) – for the Statewide Property Parcel Mapping Program
- Vermont Open Geodata Portal – for parcel data, property transfers, and land surveys
- Vermont Land Survey Library – for copies of land surveys prepared by licensed Vermont surveyors
- Municipal Listers and Assessors – for locally maintained grand list data
Online Search Methods
1. Vermont Department of Taxes – Property Records
The Vermont Department of Taxes maintains statewide property tax data accessible to the public at no charge.
- Navigate to the Vermont property tax portal
- Search by municipality, owner name, or parcel number
- View current assessed values, exemptions, and tax bill details via Your Vermont Property Tax Bill
- No registration is required for basic property tax lookups
- Data is updated annually following the grand list filing period
Information available through this portal includes:
- Current owner name and mailing address
- Assessed land and building values
- Taxable value after exemptions
- Education and municipal tax rates
- Payment status and outstanding balances
- Exemption types applied (homestead, income sensitivity)
2. Vermont Open Geodata Portal – Parcel Data
The Vermont Open Geodata Portal provides free public access to statewide parcel data, including Washington County parcels.
- Visit the Vermont Open Geodata Portal parcels page
- Search, filter, and download parcel datasets by municipality
- View property boundaries, ownership data, and transfer records
- Access GIS layers including aerial photography, flood zones, and zoning overlays
- Data is available for download in multiple formats (shapefile, GeoJSON, CSV)
Steps to search:
- Go to the Vermont Open Geodata Portal parcels page
- Select Washington County or a specific municipality (e.g., Barre City, Montpelier)
- Use the interactive map to navigate to a property location
- Click on a parcel to view ownership and assessment data
- Download datasets for offline analysis if needed
3. VCGI Statewide Parcel Mapping Program
The Vermont Center for Geographic Information administers the Statewide Property Parcel Mapping Program, which publishes annual grand list-joined digital municipal parcel data for all Vermont towns.
- Parcel data is joined to the annual grand list maintained by municipal listers
- Updated datasets are published each year following grand list finalization
- Members of the public may download complete parcel datasets at no cost
- Data includes parcel ID, owner name, acreage, assessed value, and deed references
4. Vermont Land Survey Library
The Vermont Land Survey Library hosts copies of land surveys prepared by Vermont-licensed land surveyors and provides public access to survey documents recorded on or after January 1, 2020.
- Search by town, surveyor name, or survey date
- View and download survey plats at no charge
- Surveys are submitted by licensed surveyors pursuant to state recording requirements
- Older surveys not yet digitized may be obtained through the Washington County Clerk's Office
5. Washington County Clerk's Office – Recorded Documents
The Washington County Clerk's Office maintains the official record of all instruments affecting real property in Washington County, including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plats.
Searchable by:
- Grantor name (seller/transferor)
- Grantee name (buyer/transferee)
- Document type
- Recording date range
- Book and page number
- Instrument number
Documents available:
- Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Mortgage satisfactions and releases
- Judgment liens and tax liens
- Mechanic's liens
- Easements and restrictions
- Subdivision plats
- Powers of attorney affecting property
- Lis pendens notices
Steps to search recorded documents:
- Contact or visit the Washington County Clerk's Office
- Request access to the grantor/grantee index
- Search by party name, document type, or date range
- Identify the book and page or instrument number
- Request a copy of the document (fees apply for certified copies)
In-Person Searches
Washington County Clerk's Office
10 Elm Street
Montpelier, VT 05602
Phone: (802) 828-2091
Vermont Secretary of State – County Clerks
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Services available in person:
- Public access to recorded document indexes
- Viewing of deed books and instrument images
- Certified copy requests
- Staff assistance with grantor/grantee index searches
- Access to plat maps and survey records
Vermont Department of Taxes – Property Tax Division
133 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05633
Phone: (802) 828-2865
Vermont Department of Taxes
By Mail Requests
Members of the public may submit written requests for copies of recorded documents to the Washington County Clerk's Office.
Washington County Clerk – Mail Requests
10 Elm Street
Montpelier, VT 05602
Requests should include:
- Property address or parcel number
- Document type (deed, mortgage, lien, etc.)
- Book and page number or instrument number (if known)
- Approximate recording date range
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- A self-addressed stamped return envelope
Through Professionals
Title Companies: Title companies conduct comprehensive title searches, prepare abstracts of title, and issue title insurance commitments. These services identify all recorded interests affecting a property and are standard in real estate transactions.
Real Estate Attorneys: Licensed Vermont attorneys may conduct title examinations, render legal title opinions, and assist with complex ownership or encumbrance issues.
Real Estate Agents: Licensed agents may access MLS data for listed properties, pull comparable sales histories, and assist buyers and sellers in reviewing property information as part of their representation services.
Search Tips
- When searching by owner name, try last name first, then full name; check spelling variations and both individual and business name formats
- When searching by address, try with and without directional prefixes (N, S, E, W) and verify the municipality, as Washington County contains multiple towns
- For historical records not yet digitized, contact the Washington County Clerk's Office directly; staff can retrieve documents from books or microfilm
- Very recent transactions may not yet appear online due to recording processing delays
- Verify results using the parcel ID number to distinguish properties with similar addresses or common owner names
What Is Washington County Property Records
Property records in Washington County, Vermont are official documents related to real property — land and the structures affixed to it — maintained by county and municipal government offices. These records constitute the legal foundation for establishing ownership, recording encumbrances, and documenting the transfer of interests in real estate. Under Vermont's recording statutes, 27 V.S.A. § 341, instruments affecting title to real property must be recorded in the town or city where the land is situated to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers and creditors.
As the Vermont Secretary of State's office notes, "Land records are among the most important public records maintained by Vermont municipalities. They document the history of property ownership and are essential to the functioning of the real estate market."
Types of Property Records
Ownership Records:
- Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and special warranty deeds
- Life estate deeds
- Trustee's deeds
- Transfer-on-death deeds
- Chain of title documentation
Encumbrance Records:
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Mortgage satisfactions and releases
- Judgment liens and tax liens
- Mechanic's liens
- Easements (utility, access, conservation)
- Deed restrictions and covenants
- Homeowner association (HOA) documents
- Lis pendens notices
Tax and Assessment Records:
- Annual grand list assessments maintained by municipal listers
- Property tax bills (education and municipal components)
- Homestead declarations
- Income sensitivity adjustments
- Delinquent tax records
Legal Descriptions and Survey Records:
- Plat maps and subdivision plats
- Metes and bounds descriptions
- Lot and block information
- Land surveys filed with the Vermont Land Survey Library
Building and Permit Records:
- Building permits issued by municipal offices
- Certificates of occupancy
- Zoning designations
- Code enforcement records
Who Maintains Property Records in Washington County
Washington County Clerk's Office – Records all instruments affecting title to real property, including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plats. The Clerk indexes documents by grantor and grantee and maintains permanent records open to public inspection.
Municipal Listers and Assessors – Each town and city within Washington County (including Barre City, Barre Town, Montpelier, Berlin, Northfield, and others) maintains its own grand list reflecting current property assessments, ownership, and exemption status.
Vermont Department of Taxes – Oversees the statewide property tax system, publishes education tax rates, and maintains the property tax information portal accessible to the public.
Vermont Center for Geographic Information – Administers the Statewide Property Parcel Mapping Program, publishing annual grand list-joined parcel data for all Vermont municipalities.
Municipal Building and Zoning Offices – Issue building permits, certificates of occupancy, and maintain zoning records at the local level.
Legal Framework
Vermont's property recording system operates under 27 V.S.A. § 341, which establishes the requirement that conveyances of real property be recorded in the land records of the municipality where the property is located. The Vermont Public Records Act, 1 V.S.A. § 315 et seq., affirms that public records — including land records — are presumptively open to inspection by any person. These statutes together form the legal basis for public access to property records throughout Washington County.
Are Property Records Public Information in Washington County?
Property records in Washington County are public information. Under the Vermont Public Records Act, 1 V.S.A. § 315, all public records are open to inspection by any person unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Land records — including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and assessment data — are not subject to any such exemption and are fully accessible to the general public without a stated purpose, residency requirement, or prior authorization.
The Vermont Secretary of State's office affirms that "Vermont's public records law reflects the principle that an informed public is essential to democratic governance. Land records, as among the oldest and most fundamental public records, are open to all."
Why Property Records Are Public
Transparency and Accountability:
- The public has a recognized interest in knowing who owns real property within their community
- Open land records prevent secret or fraudulent transfers
- Transparent property taxation depends on publicly accessible assessment data
Commercial and Legal Purposes:
- Real estate transactions require title searches to establish clear ownership
- Lenders rely on recorded mortgage records to establish lien priority
- Title insurance companies depend on public land records to underwrite policies
- Appraisers and market analysts use sales history and assessment data
Legal Protections:
- Recording an instrument provides constructive notice to all subsequent purchasers and creditors under 27 V.S.A. § 341
- The chain of title depends on an unbroken, publicly accessible record of transfers
- Lien priority is established by recording date, requiring public access to determine priority
Public Interest:
- Genealogical and historical research relies on land records
- Journalists and researchers use property records to investigate matters of public concern
- Community planning and land use decisions depend on accessible parcel data
What Property Information Is Publicly Accessible
The following categories of information are freely accessible through official Washington County and Vermont state resources:
- Current and historical property ownership
- Legal descriptions and parcel identification numbers
- Sale prices and transfer dates
- Recorded mortgage amounts and lender names
- Liens and encumbrances of record
- Tax assessments and payment histories
- Property characteristics (size, year built, building type)
- Plat maps and recorded surveys
- Deed and instrument images (where digitized)
Privacy Considerations
While property records are public, certain personal information within those records is subject to protection:
- Social Security numbers are redacted from recorded documents pursuant to Vermont law
- Bank account numbers and personal financial details beyond recorded instrument amounts are not disclosed
- Vermont's Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), administered by the Vermont Secretary of State, allows certain individuals — including domestic violence survivors, stalking victims, and law enforcement personnel — to use a substitute address in public records
Who May Access Property Records
Any person may inspect and obtain copies of Washington County property records, including:
- Prospective buyers and sellers
- Real estate agents, brokers, and appraisers
- Title companies and abstractors
- Lenders and mortgage servicers
- Attorneys
- Investors and developers
- Genealogists and historians
- Journalists and researchers
- Members of the general public
No residency requirement, business purpose, or prior authorization is required to access land records in Washington County.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Washington County?
Members of the public may inspect property records at no charge. Fees apply when copies or certified copies are requested. The following fee structure reflects current charges at the Washington County Clerk's Office and Vermont state agencies.
Washington County Clerk's Office – Copy and Recording Fees
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Inspection of records (in person) | No charge |
| Plain copy of recorded document (per page) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy of recorded document (per page) | $1.00 per page + $2.00 certification fee |
| Recording a deed or other instrument (first page) | $15.00 |
| Recording (each additional page) | $5.00 per page |
| Land transfer tax (on consideration) | 1.25% of value (state); 0.5% additional on value over $100,000 |
Fees for recording instruments are governed by 32 V.S.A. § 1671, which establishes the schedule of fees applicable to county clerks in Vermont.
Vermont Department of Taxes – Property Tax Records
- Online access to property tax information through the Vermont property tax portal is provided at no charge
- Copies of Vermont property tax bills are available online without fee
- Written requests for certified tax records may incur standard copying fees
Vermont Open Geodata Portal and VCGI Parcel Data
- Parcel data downloads from the Vermont Open Geodata Portal are provided at no charge
- VCGI's Statewide Property Parcel Mapping Program datasets are freely available for download
- No registration or subscription is required
Vermont Land Survey Library
- Viewing and downloading surveys from the Vermont Land Survey Library is provided at no charge
- No account or fee is required for public access
Accepted Payment Methods
The Washington County Clerk's Office accepts the following forms of payment for copy and recording fees:
- Cash
- Check (payable to Washington County Clerk)
- Money order
- Credit and debit cards (where available)
Mail requests should include a check or money order. Members of the public are advised to contact the Clerk's Office to confirm current accepted payment methods before submitting a mail request.
Fee Waivers
Vermont law does not provide a general fee waiver for property record copies. Indigent requesters or nonprofit organizations seeking fee waivers should contact the Washington County Clerk's Office directly to inquire about any applicable accommodations.
What's Included in a Washington County Property Record
A Washington County property record is a compilation of official documents and data maintained by multiple government offices. The scope of information available depends on the source consulted.
Ownership Information
Current Ownership:
- Legal owner name(s) as recorded on the most recent deed
- Ownership type (individual, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by the entirety, trust, LLC, corporation, life estate)
- Acquisition date and deed reference (book and page or instrument number)
- Mailing address for tax bill purposes
Previous Ownership:
- Chain of title reflecting all prior transfers
- Prior owner names and transfer dates
- Historical deed book and page references
Property Identification
- Site address (physical location)
- Mailing address (if different from site address)
- Municipality and ZIP code
- Parcel ID number (assigned by municipal lister)
- Tax account number
- Legal description (lot and block, subdivision name, plat book and page, metes and bounds, or condominium unit designation)
Physical Characteristics
Land Information:
- Lot size in acres or square feet
- Frontage and depth
- Land use designation
- Zoning classification
Building Information:
- Total living area (square feet)
- Year built
- Number of stories
- Building type (single-family, multi-family, commercial, etc.)
- Construction type and exterior material
- Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
- Garage, pool, and accessory structure information
- Heating and cooling systems
- Water and sewer source
Valuation Information
- Assessed land value
- Assessed building value
- Total assessed value
- Education property value (for Vermont education tax purposes)
- Historical assessed values (prior years)
- Homestead or non-homestead designation
Tax Information
- Current year education and municipal tax amounts
- Exemptions applied (homestead, income sensitivity, veteran, disability)
- Taxable value after exemptions
- Tax payment history
- Delinquency status (if applicable)
- Applicable millage/tax rates by taxing district
Sales History
- Prior sale dates and prices
- Deed type (warranty, quitclaim, trustee's, etc.)
- Grantor and grantee names for each transfer
- Instrument numbers and recording dates
- Vermont land transfer tax amounts paid
Encumbrances and Liens
- Recorded mortgages (original amounts, lender names, recording dates)
- Mortgage satisfactions and releases
- Judgment liens
- Federal and state tax liens
- Mechanic's liens
- Easements (utility, access, conservation)
- Deed restrictions and covenants
- Lis pendens notices
Maps and Visual Information
- GIS parcel map with property boundaries (available through the Vermont Open Geodata Portal)
- Aerial photography
- Plat map references
- Land survey documents (available through the Vermont Land Survey Library)
What Is Not Typically Included
- Current mortgage balances (only original recorded amounts)
- Interior photographs
- Social Security numbers (redacted by law)
- Private purchase contract terms beyond recorded sale price
- Unrecorded agreements or side agreements
- Confidential exemption application financial details
How Long Does Washington County Keep Property Records?
Property records in Washington County are maintained permanently. Vermont law requires that land records — including all recorded instruments affecting title to real property — be preserved indefinitely, as they form the legal foundation for establishing chain of title and protecting property rights across generations.
As the Vermont Secretary of State's office states, "Land records are permanent records. They may never be destroyed and must be maintained in a manner that ensures their long-term preservation and public accessibility."
Legal Basis for Permanent Retention
Vermont's municipal records retention schedule, issued pursuant to 1 V.S.A. § 317, classifies land records — including deed books, mortgage records, lien records, and plat maps — as permanent records that must be retained indefinitely. No recorded instrument affecting title to real property may be destroyed.
Records Kept Permanently
Deed Records: All recorded deeds are maintained permanently, including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, trustee's deeds, life estate deeds, and all other conveyance instruments. Washington County land records extend back to the county's formation and, in many municipalities, to original land grants and the territorial period.
Mortgage Records: All recorded mortgages, deeds of trust, assignments, modifications, and satisfactions are maintained permanently, even after the underlying loan has been paid in full.
Lien Records: All recorded liens — including judgment liens, federal and state tax liens, and mechanic's liens — together with their releases, are maintained permanently.
Plats and Surveys: All recorded subdivision plats, re-plats, condominium declarations, and survey plats are maintained permanently. Surveys recorded on or after January 1, 2020 are additionally preserved in the Vermont Land Survey Library.
Other Recorded Instruments: Easements, restrictions, covenants, powers of attorney affecting property, and court documents affecting title are all maintained permanently.
Format and Storage
Historical Records:
- Pre-20th century records: Handwritten ledger books
- Early-to-mid 20th century: Typed entries in bound record books
- Mid-20th century onward: Microfilm and typed instruments
- Recent decades: Scanned digital images
Modern Format:
- Electronic document management systems
- Scanned images of original instruments
- Digital backups maintained off-site
- Microfilm archives for older records
Online Availability by Time Period
| Record Age | Typical Online Availability |
|---|---|
| Recent (last 20 years) | Available online in most Vermont municipalities |
| Moderate age (20–50 years) | May be online; microfilm available at Clerk's office |
| Historical (50+ years) | In-person access; original books or microfilm |
| Very old (100+ years) | Archive storage; advance notice may be required |
Property Appraiser and Assessment Records
Municipal listers in Washington County maintain assessment records permanently. Current and historical grand list data is available through the VCGI Statewide Property Parcel Mapping Program, which publishes annual datasets. Historical assessment records not available online may be obtained by contacting the relevant municipal lister's office directly.
Tax Records
Tax payment records are retained for a minimum of seven years under Vermont's records retention schedule. Tax deed records are maintained permanently. Delinquent tax records are retained until the underlying obligation is resolved or the applicable retention period expires.
Accessing Historical Records
Members of the public seeking historical land records not yet available online should contact the Washington County Clerk's Office directly. Staff can retrieve documents from bound record books or microfilm. Very old records may require advance notice to allow for retrieval from archive storage.
Washington County Clerk's Office
10 Elm Street
Montpelier, VT 05602
Phone: (802) 828-2091
Vermont Secretary of State – County Clerks
When requesting historical records, members of the public should provide:
- Property address or legal description
- Approximate time period of the document
- Type of instrument sought (deed, mortgage, lien, etc.)
- Book and page number (if known)
Digitization Efforts
Washington County and Vermont municipalities are engaged in ongoing digitization projects to make historical land records accessible online. The Vermont Secretary of State's office provides guidance and support for municipal records preservation. Members of the public are advised to check with the Washington County Clerk's Office for the current status of digitization for specific time periods.
How To Find Liens on Property in Washington County?
A lien on real property in Washington County is a recorded encumbrance that gives a creditor a legal claim against the property as security for a debt or obligation. Liens are recorded with the Washington County Clerk's Office and are indexed in the grantor/grantee index under the property owner's name. Members of the public may search for liens through the following methods.
Types of Liens Recorded in Washington County
- Judgment liens – Recorded by creditors who have obtained a court judgment against a property owner
- Federal tax liens – Filed by the Internal Revenue Service for unpaid federal taxes
- Vermont state tax liens – Filed by the Vermont Department of Taxes for unpaid state taxes
- Mechanic's liens – Filed by contractors, subcontractors, or material suppliers for unpaid construction work
- Municipal tax liens – Filed by municipalities for delinquent property taxes
- HOA liens – Filed by homeowner associations for unpaid assessments
- Child support liens – Filed pursuant to court order
Step-by-Step: Searching for Liens at the Washington County Clerk's Office
- Contact or visit the Washington County Clerk's Office at 10 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT 05602
- Request access to the grantor/grantee index for the relevant municipality
- Search under the property owner's name as grantor to identify any recorded instruments
- Filter results by document type to identify liens, notices, and encumbrances
- Note the book and page number or instrument number for each lien identified
- Request a copy of each lien document (fees apply per page)
- Review each document for the lienholder's name, amount, recording date, and any release or satisfaction
Searching for Federal Tax Liens
Federal tax liens filed by the Internal Revenue Service are recorded with the Washington County Clerk's Office. Members of the public may also search the IRS lien index through the IRS Centralized Lien Operation by contacting (800) 913-6050.
Searching for Vermont State Tax Liens
Vermont state tax liens are filed by the Vermont Department of Taxes and recorded with the Washington County Clerk's Office. The Vermont Department of Taxes may be contacted at:
Vermont Department of Taxes
133 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05633
Phone: (802) 828-2865
Vermont Department of Taxes
Searching for Delinquent Municipal Tax Liens
Delinquent property tax liens are filed by the relevant municipality (e.g., Barre City, Montpelier, Berlin) and recorded with the Washington County Clerk's Office. Members of the public should contact the municipal treasurer's office for the town or city where the property is located to inquire about delinquent tax status.
Online Lien Search Resources
- The Vermont Open Geodata Portal provides parcel-level data that may include references to recorded encumbrances
- The Washington County Clerk's Office online index (where available) allows grantor/grantee searches by document type
- Title companies and real estate attorneys conduct comprehensive lien searches as part of title examination services
Obtaining Lien Releases
When a lien has been satisfied, the lienholder is required to record a release or satisfaction with the Washington County Clerk's Office. Members of the public should verify that a release has been recorded before concluding that a lien no longer encumbers the property.
Washington County Clerk's Office
10 Elm Street
Montpelier, VT 05602
Phone: (802) 828-2091
Vermont Secretary of State – County Clerks
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
What Is Property Owner Rule in Washington County?
The property owner rule in Washington County, Vermont refers to the body of state law and local practice governing who may own real property, how ownership is established and transferred, and what rights and obligations attach to property ownership. Vermont does not impose residency requirements on property ownership; any individual, trust, corporation, limited liability company, or other legal entity may hold title to real property in Washington County.
Establishing Ownership
Ownership of real property in Washington County is established by a recorded deed. Under 27 V.S.A. § 341, a conveyance of real property is not effective against subsequent purchasers or creditors unless it is recorded in the land records of the municipality where the property is located. An unrecorded deed may be valid between the parties to the transaction but does not provide constructive notice to third parties.
Forms of Ownership Recognized in Vermont
Vermont law recognizes the following forms of real property ownership:
- Sole ownership – A single individual holds title in their own name
- Joint tenancy with right of survivorship – Two or more persons hold equal undivided interests; upon the death of one joint tenant, the surviving joint tenant(s) take the deceased's interest by operation of law
- Tenancy in common – Two or more persons hold undivided interests that may be unequal; each co-tenant's interest passes through their estate upon death
- Tenancy by the entirety – A form of joint ownership available only to legally married spouses in Vermont, providing survivorship rights and protection from individual creditors of one spouse
- Trust ownership – A trustee holds legal title on behalf of beneficiaries pursuant to a trust instrument
- Entity ownership – A corporation, LLC, partnership, or other legal entity holds title; the entity's governing documents and state law determine who may act on behalf of the entity
Vermont Homestead Declaration
Vermont property owners who occupy their property as their principal residence are required to file a homestead declaration with the Vermont Department of Taxes. The homestead declaration affects the applicable education property tax rate. Under Vermont law, a property is classified as homestead if it is the owner's domicile and is declared as such on the annual Vermont income tax return. Failure to file a homestead declaration results in the property being taxed at the non-homestead rate, which is higher in most municipalities.
Members of the public may review homestead declaration requirements through the Vermont Department of Taxes property portal.
Property Tax Obligations
All owners of real property in Washington County are subject to annual property taxation. The Vermont property tax system imposes both an education property tax (set by the state) and a municipal property tax (set by each town or city). Property owners receive an annual Vermont property tax bill reflecting both components. Failure to pay property taxes results in the accrual of interest and penalties and may ultimately result in a municipal tax lien and, after the applicable redemption period, a tax sale.
Transfer of Ownership
The transfer of real property in Washington County requires:
- Execution of a deed by the grantor (seller or transferor)
- Delivery and acceptance of the deed by the grantee (buyer or transferee)
- Recording of the deed with the Washington County Clerk's Office in the municipality where the property is located
- Payment of Vermont land transfer tax, currently assessed at 1.25% of the property's value (with an additional 0.5% on value exceeding $100,000), pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 9602
Rights and Obligations of Property Owners
Property owners in Washington County hold the following rights under Vermont law:
- The right to use, occupy, and enjoy the property consistent with applicable zoning and land use regulations
- The right to transfer, mortgage, or encumber the property
- The right to exclude others from the property, subject to recorded easements and public