Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Kaltag, Alaska

Kaltag’s own rules

• Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

  Individual sewage disposal systems for buildings inside Kaltag city limits

  • Each approved individual system must meet Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation standards in addition to city rules.
  • Construction, alteration, or extension of an individual sewage disposal system requires city permission under chapter 39 section 2(f) and section 6.
  • Buildings within 200 feet of the utility system must use the city sewage disposal system (chapter 39 section 2(d)), so individual systems apply mainly outside that distance or where city permission is granted.
  • Code adopted June 27, 2013; later amendments not checked.

  “any approved system shall comply with the applicable standards of the alaska department of environmental conservation and other applicable laws and regulations of the united states, the state of alaska, or the city of kaltag.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Construction, alteration, or extension of an individual sewage disposal system inside Kaltag city

  • Application must be made in writing to the city and include the listed property and applicant information.
  • The city approves and issues a permit only if the work complies with chapter 39 and state regulations; denied applicants may appeal to the city council.
  • Code adopted June 27, 2013; later amendments not checked.

  “an application for a permit for the construction, alteration, or extension of an individual water system or sewage disposal system shall be made in writing to the city”

• Septic inspectionLimited

  Inspection of individual water and sewer systems inside Kaltag city

  • Inspection authority is for compliance with chapter 39 and council regulations, at reasonable daylight hours.
  • No mandatory septic inspection schedule or final inspection requirement was found in the 2013 code.
  • Code adopted June 27, 2013; later amendments not checked.

  “the city through its designated representative or representatives is authorized to make inspections at reasonable times during the daylight hours to determine satisfactory compliance with this chapter and regulations issued by the council.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Individual (off-grid) sewage disposal inside Kaltag city limits

  • Allowed only if constructed and maintained so as not to contaminate drinking or domestic water supplies.
  • Must meet state DEC standards and city rules.
  • Construction, alteration, or extension requires city permission (section 2(f)).
  • Disposal of sewage on the ground surface is unlawful except at specified locations (section 2(g)).
  • Code adopted June 27, 2013; later amendments not checked.

  “it shall be unlawful for any person to construct, alter, or extend an individual sewage disposal system except by permission of the city.”

• Well permitRequired

  Construction, alteration, or extension of an individual water system (private well or other unconnected water source) inside Kaltag city

  • City permission is required (section 2(b)); a written permit application is required (section 6(a)).
  • Unconnected water systems need written council permission (section 2(c)).
  • Within 200 feet of the city water system, a separate source for drinking or sanitary use is unlawful (section 2(a)).
  • Code adopted June 27, 2013; later amendments not checked.

  “it shall be unlawful for any person to construct, alter, or extend an individual water system except by permission of the city.”

• Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

  New buildings inside Kaltag city limits located within 200 feet of the city water system (water) or utility system (sewer)

  • Within 200 feet of the city water system, a building may not use another drinking or sanitary water source (chapter 39 section 2(a)).
  • Within 200 feet of the utility system, sewage must go to the city sewage disposal system (chapter 39 section 2(d)).
  • Individual water systems need city permission (section 2(b)); unconnected systems need written council permission (section 2(c)).
  • Connection costs are paid by the user; rates and connection rules are set by council resolution (section 3(a)).
  • Code adopted June 27, 2013; later amendments not checked.

  distance from city water system or utility system: <= 200 feet (Individual systems allowed with city permission (sections 2(b), 2(c), 2(f)))

  “it shall be unlawful for any person to dispose of sewage, liquid waste, or human excrement within the city limits by any method from any building within 200 feet of the utility system other than through the utilization of the city sewage disposal system.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision, dedication, and vacation of land inside Kaltag city

  • The planning commission acts as the platting board and controls form, size, lot dimensions, and street/utility improvements.
  • The platting board must act within 60 days of filing.
  • Code adopted June 27, 2013; later amendments not checked.

  “the planning commission acting as the platting board has jurisdiction over platting and shall adopt public rules and regulations to implement this power.”

• Permit processPartial

  Permits for individual water and sewer systems inside Kaltag city; no general building-permit process found

  • Application is made in writing to the city with applicant, property, and compliance information.
  • Denied applicants may appeal to the city council at its next regular meeting.
  • No fee schedule for these permits was found in the 2013 code (rates for utilities appear in section 10).
  • Code adopted June 27, 2013; later amendments not checked.

  “an application for a permit for the construction, alteration, or extension of an individual water system or sewage disposal system shall be made in writing to the city”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Kaltag or Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area directly.

• Building permit — Building permits for new residential construction inside Kaltag city
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from permits inside Kaltag city
• Building code adopted — Whether Kaltag city adopts a building code for construction inside city limits
• Inspections — Building inspections for construction inside Kaltag city
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new dwellings inside Kaltag city

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.