New ordinance could ban public nudity in Burlington, Vermont
By Michael Cusanelli
Click here for updates on this story
BURLINGTON, Vermont (WPTZ) — An eye-popping policy in Burlington may soon be outlawed after city leaders moved to officially ban public nudity late last week.
While public nudity was previously allowed in the Queen City, anyone caught walking around without clothes in public may now be forced to pay hundreds of dollars in fines thanks to a new ordinance.
That ordinance unanimously passed on Friday during a committee meeting. That ordinance must now be considered by the full city council before it goes into effect.
If passed, anyone who is caught while nude in Burlington could be fined $100, with a second offense costing $200. A third offense carries a $500 fine.
These fines can be dropped if the offender completes a program through the Community Justice Center.
The rule does not apply to children under five years old.
The ordinance also makes clear exceptions, including for certain events and permitted performances.
An old ordinance permitted public nudity, provided a person left their dwelling in that state. The ordinance, however, prohibited disrobing in public.
There have been multiple instances of people walking naked through the streets of Burlington over the years, particularly during the summer months.
Several downtown businesses recently voiced their disdain for those who choose to be nude in Burlington, saying it is bad for businesses during the busy summer tourism season. Residents have also complained. Those complaints prompted city councilors to take action and consider a change to the longstanding ordinance.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to clarify that Burlington City Council must issue final approval before the ordinance goes into effect.
Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.







