Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Kachemak, Alaska

Kachemak’s own rules

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Lots created by land subdivision inside Kachemak city limits (subdivision-created lots, not a zoning district minimum)

  • Applies through the city's protest of borough-approved subdivisions; the city's own code does not contain a zoning lot-size table.
  • Smaller lots that were already platted are allowed under the code.
  • Protest trigger date stated in the code is December 12, 2008.

  minimum lot size: >= 40000 square feet (lots already platted before the protest rule; applies to subdivisions creating lots after December 12, 2008)

  “unless this section of the code is repealed, the city of kachemak will protest to the kenai peninsula borough (the platting authority of the city of kachemak) all land subdivisions in the city of kachemak that will create lots under 40,000 square feet, after december 12, 2008.”

• Off-grid sanitationProhibited

  Privies, privy vaults, cesspools and septic tanks not connected to the sewer system, inside the Kachemak city/Bear Creek Drive sewage collection system LID in Kachemak city

  • The prohibition is limited to premises inside the sewage collection system LID; the code exception is an approved septic tank connected to the sewage collection system.
  • The code does not state a rule for off-grid sanitation outside the LID in this excerpt.
  • Kenai Peninsula Borough and state wastewater rules may still apply; not verified here.

  “it shall be unlawful to construct or maintain any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool, or other facility intended or used for the disposal or treatment of sewage within or upon any premises located within a local improvement district (lid) formed for the construction of any part of the sewage collection system (scs), other than an approved septic tank connected to the scs in accordance with subsequent provisions of this chapter.”

• Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

  Properties inside Kachemak city within the Kachemak city/Bear Creek Drive sewage collection system local improvement district (LID), when they are used for human occupancy and have a private water supply

  • The mandatory connection rule is stated for the LID that formed the sewage collection system; the code does not state a connection rule for property outside the LID.
  • Owners or occupants of structures within the LID equipped with a well, cistern, spring or other on-site water supply must connect directly with the sewage collection system within ninety days after official notice.
  • Properties with no on-site water supply are exempt from the connection requirement.
  • Sewer service connections require advance approval by the POTW inspector and an application to the city before construction starts (section 6.03.04).
  • Users pay a sewer user fee; the code sets the fee by an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Homer. The code cites a figure of $78.95 per month as of January 1, 2019.

  connection deadline after official notice: 90 days (applies only within the sewage collection system LID; properties without on-site water supply are exempt)

  “properties having no well, cistern, spring, or other on-site water supply are exempt from this section.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land subdivisions inside Kachemak city limits that would create lots under 40,000 square feet. The platting authority is the Kenai Peninsula Borough; the city acts through delegated limited platting powers.

  • Kachemak city accepted limited platting powers from the Kenai Peninsula Borough for the purpose of establishing a 40,000 square foot minimum lot size (Ordinance 2009-03).
  • The city states it will protest borough approval of land subdivisions creating lots under 40,000 square feet after December 12, 2008.
  • The code states the protest rule is subject to allowing smaller lots that were already platted.
  • The code says that unless the section is repealed, the city will protest. This copy is dated updated 2024; no effective date is stated for the section.
  • Other subdivision procedure is handled by the Kenai Peninsula Borough as platting authority; this claim does not cover borough platting procedure.

  “ordinance 2009-03 city of kachemak accepts limited platting powers from the kenai peninsula borough for the purpose of establishing a minimum lot size of 40,000 square feet.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Kachemak or Kenai Peninsula Borough directly.

• Building permit — New residential construction inside Kachemak city limits
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from contractor requirements for work inside Kachemak city limits
• Building code adopted — Which building code, if any, Kachemak city adopts for construction inside city limits
• Inspections — Building inspections for new homes inside Kachemak city limits
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes inside Kachemak city limits

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.