The Vermont Supreme Court says a Charlotte shooting range is exempt from the state's land-use review process because it is not a commercial enterprise.

The Burlington Free Press reports neighbors in Charlotte and Shelburne argued that the shooting range was serving a "commercial purpose" and should, therefore, be subject to Act 250 regulation, which could include noise restrictions.

But In a 3-2 ruling Friday, the court found the shooting range at the Laberge farm does not need an Act 250 land-use permit because it is not a commercial enterprise.

A portion of the farm has been used as a shooting range since the 1950s. Now law enforcement agencies use the range for training and the property is open to the public. A donation box helps offset costs.

(Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)