What Northwest Vermont Is
This page covers Franklin County, centered on St. Albans and including Montgomery, and the Jay Peak area towns of Jay, Westfield and Troy just over the line in Orleans County. For the rest of the state, see our Vermont page.
- St. Albans is the county hub, with Northwestern Medical Center, the northern terminus of Amtrak's Vermonter and the Vermont Maple Festival every April.
- St. Albans Bay and the lakeshore have Kill Kare State Park and the ferry to Burton Island State Park, a boat-access-only island park with a 100-slip marina.
- The rail trails link it together: the 26.4-mile Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail from St. Albans to Richford, and the 94-mile Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, which ends in Swanton.
- The Jay Peak area (Jay, Montgomery, Westfield and Troy) is ski country, with the resort's tram, indoor waterpark and golf course, the northern end of the Long Trail and Montreal about 1.5 hours away.
Demand and Seasons
The two halves peak at different times. Around Jay Peak, winter is everything: the resort lists an average of 347 inches of natural snow and a season from mid-November to mid-May, with US and Quebec school vacations filling homes. Summer there is smaller, built on golf, the waterpark and hiking. In Franklin County, spring opens with the Maple Festival (April 23 to 25, 2027), summer brings boaters, campers and cyclists, and fall brings foliage drives. Medical and work stays in St. Albans run all year, and many of those guests want 30 nights or more.
Cross-border travel shapes both halves. The Jay Peak area draws heavily from Quebec, so watch exchange rates and Canadian holidays when you price.
The Rules Landscape
As of October 2026:
| Town | Local short-term rental rules |
|---|---|
| Montgomery | Registry ordinance adopted June 15, 2026, effective date September 1, 2026: annual registration ($300 initial, $150 renewal), $1 million liability insurance, a local agent within 25 miles, two guests per bedroom plus two, one off-street space per bedroom |
| Jay | No short-term rental section in its 2023 zoning, though its subdivision definition mentions continuous short-term rental |
| St. Albans City | No short-term rental ordinance or zoning section found; winter street parking ban December 1 to March 15 |
| St. Albans Town | No short-term rental section in its Unified Development Bylaws; a Lakeshore District applies on the bay |
On taxes, every rental carries Vermont's 9% rooms tax and 3% short-term rental surcharge. St. Albans City, St. Albans Town, Montgomery, and Swanton (from July 2026) add the 1% local option rooms tax, for 13%; Jay, Westfield and Troy do not, so 12% applies there. Our Vermont rules and taxes page covers fire safety, posting and direct bookings, and lakeshore owners should know that Vermont's Shoreland Protection Act covers new clearing or impervious surface within 250 feet of Lake Champlain.
How New England Host Co Works Here
New England Host Co manages short-term rentals across Vermont. Every home must be within 45 minutes of its crew's base, so tell us the address and we will confirm whether we can serve it. Full-service management includes listing creation and photography, daily pricing with PriceLabs around ski weeks and local events, guest messaging and review management, and housekeeping with an inspection after every stay. Co-hosting is a separate option. Registration, insurance and permit costs stay with the owner. Ask through our contact page.
FAQ
Which Northwest Vermont Towns Require Short-Term Rental Registration?
As of October 2026, Montgomery, near Jay Peak, is the one we found: its registry ordinance, adopted June 15, 2026, lists an effective date of September 1, 2026. We found no ordinance in Jay, St. Albans City or St. Albans Town, though zoning applies everywhere.
What Lodging Tax Applies in Northwest Vermont?
12% everywhere (9% rooms tax plus the 3% surcharge), plus 1% local option tax in St. Albans City, St. Albans Town, Montgomery and Swanton.
When Is the Busy Season?
Winter around Jay Peak, from Thanksgiving into spring; spring through fall around St. Albans and the lake, starting with the Maple Festival in April.
This page is general information as of October 2026, not legal or tax advice; confirm with each town before you list.
Sources
- Short-Term Rental Registry Ordinance, Town of Montgomery (PDF)
- Applications and Permits, Town of Jay
- Land Development Regulations, City of St. Albans
- Zoning, Town of St. Albans
- The Mountain, Jay Peak Resort
- Northwest Vermont Rail Trails
- Burton Island State Park, Vermont State Parks
- Vermont Maple Festival
- Local Option Tax, Vermont Department of Taxes
