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Addressing

The Municipality assigns addresses from a grid system starting with a zero point at the A Street and 1st Avenue intersection.  As you move away one block at a time, the numbers increase by one hundred.  The communities along Turnagain Arm are an exception, where a Hierarchical system is used.  Within residential buildings, each living unit with their own external front door will get their own unique address.
When a building permit is applied for or when an existing building is identified that could be occupied.
An address may be changed if the primary access is not from the street named in the current address.  You may also request a change as long as the address requested falls within the guidelines of Municipal Addressing.
Street name changes are a public process defined within Anchorage Municipal code 21.03.185.
Addresses are assigned using a grid system, therefore we need to know the location of building on the lot, as well as what street is accessed, to properly assign the address.
Any occupiable building has the potential for needing emergency response.  We assign addresses to these to eliminate any delay in response.
New public streets are named by the developers of a platted subdivision.  Private streets may be named by property owners who own the property the private street is within.
Yes, your name and contract information will not be given out by Building Safety or our online system.

Code Abatement

We enforce building codes for existing buildings.
Both a State of Alaska and Municipality of Anchorage contractor's license and Administrative licenes for plumbing, mechanical, and electrical contractors.
Title 15.20 Public nuisances requires that all Abandoned real property that has been abandoned by all of its lawful owners and Vacant building means a structure designed for residential or commercial use that has not been lawfully used for residential or commercial purposes for 180 days.
Code Abatement enforces existing building codes like Title 23.10 and 23.70. Code Enforcement enforces Title 21 Land Use codes.
No, it is the responsibility of Code Enforemcent- Land Use.

Well and Sewer

During the COSA process, a registered professional engineer certifies that any on-site potable water supply system and/or on-site wastewater disposal system meet the code requirements in place at the time of construction and are adequate for the dwelling they serve. The On-site Water & Wastewater Section (On-site) staff reviews the engineer’s COSA submittal and issues the COSA once they agree the system is in general conformance with AMC Chapters 15.55 and 15.65.
The Certificate of On-Site Systems Approval is issued by the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) and serves as confirmation to a buyer and lending institution that the well and/or septic systems serving a single family or duplex home have been inspected / tested by a professional engineer, or by the engineer’s staff under his/her guidance, and were found to be in compliance with the applicable standards established by the MOA.  A COSA is required prior to a title transfer.
Submit an application and a site plan with the proposed well location that is to a scale not smaller than 1 inch to 50 feet.  A homeowner may prepare these documents without the assistance of an engineer; however, it will be the homeowner’s responsibility to confirm code required separations are being met for the proposed well
If the tank is no longer watertight or tank components are compromised, the tank needs to be replaced.
The well flow and field adequacy tests are valid for 2 years.  Arsenic test results are good for 1 year and nitrate and bacteria test results are good for 90 days.  In addition, the septic tank is to have been pumped within the past year and lift station maintenance is to have been completed within the past two years.
A COSA may be reissued to the same owner at no charge, provided that the well flow and field adequacy tests have been done in the last two years.  New water sample results are to be submitted, and the required maintenance may need to be completed.  The engineer is required to take the new water samples and submit the paperwork.
The homeowner hires a professional engineer registered in the State of Alaska to complete the wastewater system design.  The Municipality of Anchorage issues a permit once the design has been submitted for review and has been confirmed to be in compliance with code requirements.
Please go to the On-site Professionals web page under Well & Septic.
To use the document database you must know the subdivision name, block and lot for the property, or the Parcel ID (Tax number).
http://onsite.ci.anchorage.ak.us/WebLink/Welcome.aspx?cr=1
Any professional Civil or Environmental Engineer registered in the State of Alaska.

Electrical

A 3-pole manual transfer switch is required (this makes it possible to connect all types of portable generators). A generator inlet plug makes the cord connection from generator to house safe and easy.
Now required for all receptacles in garages, outdoors, bathrooms, kitchen countertops, dishwashers, laundry areas, or within 6 ft. of any sink (includes replacements). Some areas require AFCI and GFCI protection. See question below.
Currently required for all circuits except garages, outdoors, bathrooms (includes replacements). Kitchen countertops, dishwashers, laundry areas or within 6ft of a sink require both AFCI and GFCI protection.
GFCIs protect against electric shock. AFCIs protect against fire due to damaged wiring or cords. Breakers or receptacles providing one or both types of protection may be used depending on the situation.
Yes. The new house, addition or remodel must be the owner’s primary residence. All work must conform to current National Electrical Code, MOA amendments, Utility Service Standards, etc.

Permitting

Please email us at: permitcounter@muni.org with the following information: 1) Permit Number, 2) Name and Phone 3) Request you want to close your permit.

Plumbing/Mechanical

Yes, a 24 hr test is required per 2012 UPC section 408.7.
Please review Policy M.02 Hydronic Radiant Tube Heating Systems.
3ft Per 2012 IMC section 501.3.1 item #3
2012 UPC section 408.5 requires 1024 square inches. If enclosure is installed, there must be a minimum of 22 inches of unobstructed opening for egress.
All gas-fired appliances require a permit Per Admin code 23.10.104. Exception electric water heaters in one or two family dwellings do not require a permit.
This depends on the  size of the enclosure or garage and the BTU load. Refer to 2012 IFGC section 304.1 and local amendment for interior spaces along with the handout M.03 (Handout gives the customers a general idea of what size of an opening)
Yes, per the water heater flow chart and as long as the relief piping discharges into the pan.
Go to the permit counter to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy (C.O certificate) per Admin code.
Yes, per 2012 IFCG section 305.3 and local amendment.
Yes, per 2012 IMC section 306.5.2 and local amendment.
Yes, per 2012 IFGC section 303.4 and also refer to Handout M.02
When range is exhausting more than 400 cfm (per IMC section 505.2)
Yes, per 2012 IMC section 505.1 amendment (regardless of gas or electric)
Yes, all grease producing fixtures require an interceptor per 2012 UPC section 1014.1-1014.3.2.
Yes, per 2012 UPC section 409.6 amendment (minimum of 16X16 or a demonstration that pump can be replaced)
Yes, as long as the appliance is sealed combustion Per 2012 IFGC section 306.4 amendment.
Per 2012 UPC section 408.3 maximum of 120 degrees.
Per local amendment 2012 UPC section 906.8: 1) No roof penetration shall be located in required valley ice barrier. 2) All roof penetrations shall be located a minimum of six feet from valley centerline and four feet from the exterior wall line measured on a horizontal plane, excluding attic ventilation.
Yes, per 2012 IMC section 1004.4. Exception: NO pan is required if installed on slab on grade.
Yes, per 2012 IFGC section 502.8: amendment exterior venting systems are required to be insulated and enclosed to prevent cold stacking.
In order to obtain a temporary orange gas tag: Gas piping or construction gas hoses must be tested/inspected and construction heater to be onsite and vented per Manufactures Instructions along with IFGC local Amendment requirements (sufficient combustion air is required) Ventless heaters are not allowed per International Fuel Gass Code (IFGC) Local amendments.
In order to obtain a permanent Green Gas Tag: Gas piping must be tested/inspected and the main heating appliance to be vented per Manufactures Instructions along with IFGC local Amendment requirements. Ventless heaters are not allowed per International Fuel Gass Code (IFGC) Local amendments.

Structural

At the time of inspection you are required to provide safe access to all areas of the site, a set of stamped legible plans, and any other pertinent documentation necessary for the inspection, such as truss engineering or change order paperwork.
If a set of stairs has 4 or more risers a handrail is required on at least one side. The graspable handrail must be installed at an elevation of 34”- 38”, measured vertically off the nose of the tread. The handrail is required to extend from the nosing of the bottom step to the nosing of the top step within the flight, and return to the wall or newel post.
The IRC allows foam plastic insulation in crawl spaces without an approved thermal barrier or an ignition barrier under certain conditions and the following rules apply: 1) Entry to the crawl space is made only to service utilities and the crawl space is not used for storage. 2) There are no inter-connected basement area. 3) Crawl space air is not circulated to other parts of the building. 4) The crawl space is ventilated n accordance with the IRC. MOA Building Safety Handout A.05 gives more details and lists some of the foam insulation approved for use in crawl spaces. The handout may be found under the Codes, Handouts button.
If the finished elevation of a deck is greater than 30” above the final grade a permit is required.
A guardrail shall be provided for those portions of open-sided walking surfaces, including stairs, ramps and landings, that are located more than 30” above grade measured at any point within 36” horizontally from the open side.
A roof nailing inspection is required when the roof design requires drag straps be installed to connect the framing members. An inspection should be requested once the roof framing is complete, but prior to the installation of the roofing material. Once the roofing material is applied the straps can no longer be verified as complete per the design. It is recommended that a roof nailing inspection be requested even if straps are not part of the design. There are many structural elements that require connections to the roof diaphragm, and if not completed correctly can require that some roofing material be removed to complete the assembly. Some examples include interior shearwall transfer, diaphragm blocking, and truss block nailing.
When you request an inspection you may request AM or PM inspection times, but you will not be able to request a specific inspector. Inspectors are typically assigned to different areas in different parts of the city, and are usually given their inspection assignments based on the location of the projects.

Right of Way Enforcement

Before spending the money to build a fence, identify your property boundaries as well as any easements dedicated for public use. A survey may be required if you cannot positively identify the boundaries. The fence cannot be placed in the right of way, public use easement, snow storage easement or in a sight vision area.
Yes, you do need a permit. The plan will be reviewed by the MOA Traffic Department and if approved the MOA Right of Way Section will issue a permit and inspect the project.
No, a basketball goal is an encroachment and will need to be placed on property. Encroachments present a hazard to maintenance crews and the travelling public.
No, without a Right of Way Use permit, the container and van will need to be placed on property. There are options to rent the right of way however the contractor or business owner will need to follow the process and be issued a permit.
Yes. Visit www.muni.org  click on the #ANCWorks icon and follow the prompts.
No, not without a permit. To obtain a permit, you will need to complete an application and submit with a plan. MOA will review the application and plan and you will be notified with the results. A property owner does not have the necessary insurance to obtain the permit. Therefore, the bonded and insured contractor will need to apply for and obtain any necessary permits.
No, any work involving public infrastructure needs to be permitted and completed by a right of way bonded contractor. This includes, sidewalks, trails, curb and gutter.
Yes. You can email an application and plan set to: MOAROWRequests@muni.org
A Right of Way bonded contractor or business owner with the appropriate insurance may rent the right of way provided specific criteria is met. Currently the fees are .75 cents a square foot for improved right of way and .50 cents a square foot for unimproved right of way.
No. the snow from your driveway needs to be placed on your property.
Yes, a homeowner can apply for and be issued a permit for a residential driveway provided public infrastructure is not impacted. If you are unsure, please contact 343-8240.

Plan Review

No, as long as the openings sizes remain the same.
Fences of light-frame construction, not over eight feet high, do not require a permit.
See MOA policy A.01 for existing buildings.
The municipality doesn’t get involved in the enforcement of requirements by a home inspector to sell a home.  Please direct any questions to the home inspector that wrote up the requirements for final approval.
It depends on cost.  If the fair market value of materials and labor does not exceend $5,000, then no. HOWEVER, even if you, as the homeowner, are doing the work yourself, you still have to figure in the hours of labor to calculate the cost for the total repair/replacement of the roof coverings.
Yes, if the height to the top of the deck, on any portion of the deck, is more than 30” off the grade below.  To determine the more than 30” above grade rule on sloping lots, the grade would need to measure 30”,  3’ out from the edge of the deck.
A one-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet.
NO-if an isolated retaining wall where the retained height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the retained soil at the face of the wall is not more than 4 feet and the top of the wall above the retained soil is not more than one foot. If there are multiple walls separated by terraces to form an aggregate wall height greater than 4 feet, they are also exempt where the clear distance between the back face of the lower wall and the front face of the upper wall is greater than two times the retained height of soil of the lower wall.

Zoning Plan Review

The location of your property lines can be found by employing a State of Alaska registered surveyor.  An approximation can be identified by an asbuilt provided with your purchase paperwork, from the title company or lending institution.
Information about properties is available on the Municipal website, there are maps that contain zoning, streams, wetlands, parcel boundaries and Right of Way locations. (Muni.org) Also on the website the assessors’ office information page has the zoning, plat number and structures existing on the lot. The Zoning counter at 4700 Elmore Rd can help you with answers as well.
A fence may be built on your property line, the height is based on your zoning district and the location of the fence, that is front, side or rear of the property. See AMC title 21 chapter 7.080H for fence heights in your zoning district.
Parking requirements are based on the use. A table of uses and the parking requirements for those uses is available on the website; AMC Title 21 chapter 7. See table 21.07-1. http://www.muni.org/Departments/OCPD/Planning/Projects/t21/Pages/Title21Rewrite.aspx
The zoning information can be found on the Public Inquiry Parcel Detail page through the assessors’ office. http://www.muni.org/Departments/finance/property_appraisal/Pages/PropInfo.aspx          
 
What you can build on a parcel is based on the zoning district and the allowed uses in that zoning district. Allowed uses can be found in Anchorage Municipal Code (AMC) Title 21 Chapter 05   
 
 
A change of use occurs when the type of use proposed is not the same as the immediate prior use. Examples would be retail to restaurant, storage to retail, office to retail and similar changes. A change of use permit is required that includes looking at the site for conformity and sufficient parking for the new use. It would also include any changes to the structure.
Development services may have an asbuilt for your property if you had a permit in which you added any structures recently. Contact Development Services to information 343-8301.
If you believe someone is doing something adverse to municipal code there is are two ways to submit a complaint #AncWorks at Muni.org for online and dialing 343-4141.
All residential districts allow sheds as accessory structures subject to many variables such as lot coverage limits, size and location. A shed can be 200 square feet without a permit; however, it must be placed in a legal location and not exceed lot coverage. IE: not in an easement or required yard setback. Play it safe and call Zoning at 343-7931 if you are not sure.​

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City Hall is located at:
632 West 6th Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
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