Purpose
This policy clarifies access to and use of open spatial data provided through the Vermont Open Geodata Portal.
Scope
This policy covers all data, services, and products that are provided through the Vermont Open Geodata Portal.
Definitions
Geodata
Data which has geospatial components that model geographic locations. More commonly known as “GIS data” or “geospatial" data.
Open Data
Public record data which is provided to the public through the internet at no cost, without requiring a data request form, and without requiring creation of a login.
Open Geodata
Open data that is geodata.
Vermont Open Geodata Portal
A website that the State of Vermont administers for provision of open geodata. The URL for this site is: https://geodata.vermont.gov
GIS (Geographic Information System)
A technology that is used for collection, storage, organization, retrieval, display, and analysis of geospatial data.
Metadata
Descriptive information which accompanies a set of data such as the originator, description, point of contact, data credits, data type, data sources, accuracy level, appropriate use, and field descriptions.
Policies
Principles of Open Data
The Vermont Open Geodata Portal is built upon the following four (4) principles of open data.1
Openness
Anyone may directly access open geodata that is available through the Vermont Open Geodata Portal at no cost, without a data request form, and without creation of a login. Making open geodata directly accessible through the Vermont Open Geodata Portal is an efficient approach to providing individuals, businesses, governments educational institutions, and other organizations with access to valuable open geodata resources.
Discoverability
The Vermont Open Geodata Portal can be searched in order to find particular open geodata resources. The user experience of discovering open geodata resources on the portal is consistent. Discoverability allows quick discovery and utilization of open geodata resources that are relevant to particular needs or topics. Discoverability supports government transparency, as open geodata is proactively published for discovery. Furthermore, discoverability supports the private sector by providing a means for businesses and other organizations to discover and apply open geodata resources to their business processes.
Exploration
Geodata resources that are obtained through the Vermont Open Geodata Portal can be visualized, searched, sorted, and analyzed using a variety of GIS software options.
Collaboration
Open geodata resources that are available through the Vermont Open Geodata portal can be downloaded, shared, and utilized alongside other data resources. Organizations and individuals can integrate open geodata resources obtained through the Vermont Open Geodata portal with their own processes and other data resources. Integrating multiple data resources can yield powerful data sets that serve analytical processes such as operation support, decision support, and analysis of particular topics.
Uses Prohibited
For all data, services, and products that are provided through the Vermont Open Geodata Portal, direct, non-value added, reproduction of those data, services, and products with intent to sell is prohibited.
Metadata
Some data, services, and products that are provided through the Vermont Open Geodata Portal are accompanied by metadata that provides descriptive information such as the data originator, data credits, and appropriate use. Users of data, services, and products that are obtained through the Vermont Open Geodata Portal are encouraged to read metadata that accompanies those data, services, and products.
Warranties and Liability
Neither the State of Vermont nor the contributors of data, services, and products provided through the Vermont Open Geodata Portal shall be held liable for any improper or incorrect use of those data, services, and products and assume no responsibility for anyone's use of those data, services, and products. In no event shall the State of Vermont or the contributors be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, or consequential damages (including, but not limited to, procurement or substitute goods or services; loss of use, data, or profits; or business interruption) however caused and on any theory.
Updates and History
| Date | Version | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| December 10, 2025 | 1.1 | Ported to website format |
| January 14, 2017 | 1.0 | Initial publish |