Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Kupreanof, Alaska

Kupreanof’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Kupreanof city limits. Kupreanof city adopts and administers its own zoning under Title 8, Chapter 12 (Zoning) of its code.

  • Source is the city code printed July 2016; later amendments may not appear and the city clerk should confirm current text.
  • The zoning map is referenced as dated August 2002; the map itself was not in the code text reviewed.

  “the official zoning map and all explanatory information on it is part of the kupreanof zoning ordinance.”

• Zoning districtsPartial

  Land inside Kupreanof city limits. The code divides the city into a development district and a protection district.

  • The official zoning map (dated August 2002) that sets district boundaries was not in the code text reviewed, so parcel-level district assignment is not established.

  “the city is divided into two categories: (1) a development district; and (2) a protection district.”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Land inside Kupreanof city limits where a dwelling unit is placed (development district).

  • Density requirement does not apply to outbuildings.

  land area per dwelling unit or non-residential building: >= 1.25 acres (does not apply to outbuildings)

  “all lots must provide 1.25 acres per non-residential building or dwelling unit. the density requirement does not apply to outbuildings.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Specified — All lots inside Kupreanof city, including the development district where dwellings are permitted.

    “all lots must have a minimum size of 2 1/2 acres.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Buildings on all lots inside Kupreanof city, including the development district.

  • No buildings or development other than moorage facilities may be built below the mean high tide line (15.6 feet).
  • Eagle nesting trees may not be disturbed by buildings (8.12.05(c)(3)).

  building setback from all lot lines: >= 30 feet

  “all buildings must be set back at least thirty (30) feet from all lot lines of the property.”

• Building heightSpecified

  Buildings in Kupreanof city, including the development district.

  • Height is measured from the mean building grade line.

  maximum building height: <= 30 feet (measured from the mean building grade line)

  “no building shall exceed a height of thirty (30) feet from the mean building grade line.”

• Camping on your landLimited

  Camping in the protection district of Kupreanof city only. The development-district camping rule was not located.

  • Camping is listed only as a permitted related recreational use in the protection district, provided it does not conflict with other municipal ordinances and regulations.
  • Permanent structures and buildings are prohibited in the protection districts.
  • Camping rules in the development district were not located.

  “(3) related uses such as hiking, picnicking, skiing, camping, fishing, and berry picking.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Mobile homes in the development district of Kupreanof city. The code uses the term 'mobile homes'.

  • Mobile homes must be anchored to a permanent foundation.
  • Mobile homes must be sided with non-reflective materials and finishes.
  • Other manufactured-home rules were not located.

  “mobile homes must be anchored to a permanent foundation and sided with non-reflective materials and finishes.”

• Subdividing landRegulated

  Land divisions inside Kupreanof city limits, under the platting board (planning commission) and Title 8 Chapter 13 (Land Division).

  • Each parcel created must be 2.5 acres or larger.
  • Platting board approval is required; certificate of approval from ADEC for sewerage disposal is required under the code.
  • Council approval is required for any subdivision not meeting requirements in sections 7.10.01-04.

  minimum parcel size created by subdivision: >= 2.5 acres

  “each parcel created shall be 2.5 acres or larger.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Kupreanof or Petersburg Borough directly.

• Building permit — Building permits for new homes inside Kupreanof city limits.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from permits for Kupreanof city.
• Building code adopted — Building code adoption for Kupreanof city.
• Inspections — Building inspections for new homes inside Kupreanof city limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for new homes inside Kupreanof 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.