Burlington Code of Ordinances ch. 18 (Housing), Art. III (Minimum Standards) § 18-120 — 18-120 Deposits.
18-120 Deposits.(a) No other payments or deposits beyond the first month’s rental payment and the deposits described in this section may be required as a condition of rental, lease or occupancy of a rental unit as a dwelling.
(1) An owner may require a reasonable deposit as a condition for the rental, lease or occupancy of a rental unit as a dwelling as security against damage beyond normal wear and tear to the premises which is attributable to the tenant, against nonpayment of rent, against nonpayment of utility or other charges which the tenant was required to pay directly to the landlord or to a utility, and against expenses required to remove from the rental unit articles abandoned by the tenant. This deposit may not exceed the amount of one month’s rent for the unit rented and shall be held by the owner in an interest-bearing account, with an interest rate at least equivalent to a current Vermont bank passbook savings account. This deposit shall not be used by the tenant as the last month’s rent unless otherwise specified in a written lease agreement between the parties.
(2) In addition to the above-stated security deposit, an owner may require an additional payment equal to one-half (1/2) the amount of one month’s rent as a condition for allowing the occupants to have a pet or pets during the rental, lease or occupancy of a rental unit as a dwelling. Such additional payment may not be charged for any animal that mitigates a disability.