Matanuska-Susitna Borough (MSB) land use rules are different in different locations. Depending upon the location, a use or development may be allowed, require a conditional use permit, or be prohibited.

Permits for uses and development that require review and approval by the Borough’s Planning Commission are called Conditional Use Permits . Conditional uses are activities that may be incompatible with other allowed uses in an area and require a special degree of review and control due to unusual characteristics or potential negative impacts peculiar to the use, size, location, type of materials used, or demands (such as traffic) resulting from the use.

Applications for conditional use permits are subject to public notice, public comments, community council review, borough staff review, and a public hearing before the planning commission decision. Conditional use permits are subject to special rules of operation for the life of the permit. Other types of permits and authorizations may also be required.

The following is a brief list of some of the conditional use permits required by Borough code. Because the code is subject to frequent changes, this list may not be complete. Be sure to check with the Borough Code Compliance Division before you buy, build, change the use of land, or start a business.

Borough wide (Uses requiring Conditional Use Permits prior to operation anywhere in the Borough, outside cities, unless otherwise regulated by code)

•  Residential Planned Unit Developments MSB 17.36

•  Mobile Home Parks MSB 17.48

•  Commercial junk yards/ refuse areas, including salvage or waste disposal yards MSB 17.60

•  Coal Bed Methane Development MSB 17.62

•  Waste Incinerators MSB 17.64

•  Alcohol package sales and Bar and Lounge type alcohol dispensaries MSB 17.70

Residential Land Use Districts (RLUD) MSB 17.52.050

Read code MSB 17.52 to determine which areas are designated RLUD

The following uses and structures are permitted upon the issuance of a conditional use permit:

1.  Churches and church-related activities;

2.  Hospitals, sanitariums, convalescent centers, nursing homes, rest homes;

3.  Natural resource extraction;

4.  Plant nurseries and greenhouses

5.  Public lands institutional;

6.  Substation electric utilities; and

7.  Neighborhood commercial use.

Single-Family Residential (SFR) Land Use Districts MSB 17.75.070

Read code MSB 17.75

The following uses and structures are permitted as principal uses by obtaining a conditional use permit:

1.  Commercial plant nurseries and greenhouses; and

2.  Uses that may create electrical interference across property lines.

Large Lot Single-Family Residential (LLSFR) Land Use Districts MSB 17.76.080

Read code MSB 17.76 to determine which areas are designated LLSFR

The following uses and structures are permitted as principal uses by obtaining a conditional use permit:

1.  Uses that may create electrical interference across property lines.

Chickaloon Special Land Use District MSB 17.18 

The following uses and structures are permitted upon the issuance of a conditional use permit:

1.  Group homes;

2.  Churches and related buildings;

3.  Utility substations and electrical transmission lines;

4.  Highway maintenance yards;

5.  Commercial gravel and quarry pits over one acre in size;

6.  Group camps;

7.  Natural resource extraction or processing;

8.  Uses that cause physical changes to the lot exceeding one acre in size, excluding agricultural uses as well as roads and parking lots when used as ancillary uses.

1.  Adult Oriented Businesses MSB 17.90

2.  Community Correction Rehabilitation Centers MSB 17.60

3.  Race Tracks MSB 17.63

4.  All Borough wide Conditional Use Permits

5.  Commercial and Industrial Uses (MSB 17.61) that:

    a.  Handle Hazardous Materials

    b.  Exceed Permitted Noise Standards

    c.  Generate traffic in excess of 100 vehicles during the morning or afternoon peak hour,

1.  Two-family dwellings;

2.  Multiple-family dwellings with three or more units;

3.  Group homes;

4.  Churches and related buildings;

5.  Commercial uses;

6.  Private campgrounds;

7.  Recreational vehicle parks;

8.  Utility substations;

9.  Highway maintenance yards;

10. Public gravel pits;

11. Group camps

1.  Major electrical transmission lines and associated electrical substations

2.  Mobile home parks regulated by MSB 17.48

3.  Commercial junk yards and refuse areas regulated by MSB 17.60

4.  Alcoholic beverage uses regulated by MSB 17.70

1.  Public utility or public service uses or public buildings in any district when found to be necessary for the public health, safety, convenience or welfare;

2.  Removal of minerals and natural materials, including building and construction materials, when incidental to a permitted use or improvement of the land, but not solely for commercial or industrial purposes; and

3.  All Borough wide Conditional Use Permits.

1.  Public utility or public service uses or public buildings in any district when found to be necessary for the public health, safety, convenience or welfare;

2.  Removal of minerals and natural materials, including building and construction materials, when incidental to a permitted use or improvement of the land, but not solely for commercial or industrial purposes;

Rules vary in each sub district. For specific information, read code MSB 17.25 and check with the MSB Code Compliance Office.

Check with the city government office (907) 373-9022 or www.cityofwasilla.com