Setbacks for Structures

If you are building a structure within the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, but outside special use districts and the incorporated cities of Palmer and Wasilla you must meet the following setbacks. Please note, other setbacks may apply within Special Land Use Districts and for Conditional Uses.

Check with staff if your property has less than 60' of frontage on a public right-of-way, or if your structure was constructed before July 3, 1973. Please note there maybe setback requirements in subdivision covenants or plat notes. The Matanuska-Susitna Borough does not enforce convenants or plat notes.

For setback information for Palmer call the City Building Inspector at 745-3709. For setback information for Wasilla call the City Planner at 373-9052.

To the City of Wasilla's webpage

To the City of Palmer's webpage

Setbacks in the Mat-Su Borough
(unless otherwise specified in Special Land Use Districts etc.)

Use Regulations Pertaining to Setbacks

MSB 17.55 Setbacks and Screening Easements
MSB 17.65 Variances
MSB 17.80 Nonconforming Structures

Exceptions to Setback Regulations

For structures that do not meet setbacks as described above, some exceptions may apply. Please contact Code Compliance to determine eligibility for administrative exceptions for Shoreline Setbacks and Legal Nonconforming Determination and Pre-Existing Legal Nonconforming Determinations for exceptions to rear or side lot lines and from right of ways. The applications are available below.

 Shoreline Setback Exception Application
 Pre-Existing Legal Nonconforming Status Determination Application (Grandfather Rights)
 Legal Nonconforming Status Determination Application

For structures not eligible for an administrative remedy, a request for a variance from Borough Code can be presented to the Planning Commission for approval. Please contact the Code Compliance Office for more details.

 Variance Application

Core Area

Ordinance 17.61 affects the Core Area (area depicted here: Map). The ordinance requires all new and expansion of existing Commercial and Industrial Uses complete the Core Area Land Use Permit. Code Compliance staff reviews the application to determine whether a conditional use permit is required. If you have any questions regarding the Core Area Conditional Use Permit Ordinance please contact Code Compliance at 745-9853 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

MSB 17.61 Core Area Conditional Use Permit Ordinance
Core Area Conditional Land Use Permit Application

Lakes

Lake Management Plans and other related ordinances have been adopted in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough that may restrict or require permits for specific uses.

Motorized uses on Finger Lake, Wasilla Lake, Cottonwood Creek and Cottonwood Lake are specifically addressed in MSB 17.58 Motorized Uses on Lakes and Waterways. Some specific requirements include:

• Within 100 feet of the shore there is a No Wake Zone and a 5 MPH speed limit.
• Between 11pm and 8am, the entire lake is a No Wake Zone and a 5 MPH speed limit. Noisy motorized uses and personal watercraft such as jet skis and wave runners are PROHIBITED.
• All motorized uses are PROHIBITED on Cottonwood Creek.

For additional information please contact Code Compliance at 745-9853 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

MSB 17.58 Motorized Uses On Lakes and Waterways
Special Event Permit for Lakes and Waterways

Lake Management Plans have been adopted on a number of lakes within the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Motorized use to requirements for registration of ice fishing houses may be required. Please refer to the summary of Lake Management Plans below. If you have any questions please contact Code Compliance at 745-9853 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

MSB 17.59 Lake Management Plan Implementation
Ice Fishing House Registration Form

Map of all Special Land Use Districts

Conditional Land Use Permit Application        

Current Residential Land use Districts

Residential and Single Family Residential Land Use Districts are zoning options for groups of parcels, portions of a subdivision or a multiple adjoining subdivisions. Review the ordinance below and determine which ordinance better suits your needs. The Single Family Residential Land Use District is generally more restrictive than the Residential Land Use District. The applications do require Planning Commission and Assembly approval prior to adoption.

Below is the Residential and Single Family Residential Ordinances, Applications and list of existing Land Use Districts.

If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact the Planning Division at 745-9833 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Information or questions regarding enforcement of the Land Use District ordinance should be directed to Code Compliance at 745-9853 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .