Chapter 17.16
ZONING DISTRICTS

Sections:

17.16.010    Zoning established.

17.16.020    Official maps.

17.16.030    Interpretation of boundaries.

17.16.040    Zoning districts.

17.16.050    Uses not specifically listed.

17.16.060    Dimensional and intensity standards.

17.16.010 Zoning established.

A.    Purpose. The purpose of this title is to regulate the use of land and improvements by districts in accordance with the city comprehensive plan. These zoning regulations are designed to provide for orderly development; to lessen street congestion; to promote public safety; to protect the public health and general welfare; to provide a high quality of life; to prevent overcrowding; and to stimulate systematic development of transportation, public utilities, educational facilities, parks, and other public facilities.

B.    Generally.

1.    Conformance with Title Required. No building or land within the city shall have the existing use altered, used or occupied, and no building or part thereof shall be erected, moved or altered unless in conformity with the applicable provisions specified in this title. Whenever private use is made of any public land or public structures, such use shall fully conform to the regulations set forth in this title.

2.    Interpretation and Application of Provisions. In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this title shall be minimum regulations and shall apply uniformly within each district, each class or kind of building, structure, land, or water area, except as hereinafter specifically provided.

3.    Conflicts With Other Regulations. Whenever the requirements of this title are at variance with the requirements of any other lawfully adopted ordinance of the city, those imposing the higher standards shall apply. (Ord. 24-01 § 1)

17.16.020 Official maps.

A.    Generally. The use districts are bounded and defined on official zoning maps of the city entitled “Zoning Maps of the City of Valdez, Alaska” and identified by the signature of the mayor and attested to by the city clerk. The community development department shall also maintain a digital version of the official zoning maps. These maps are by this reference made a part of this title.

B.    Changes.

1.    No changes of any nature shall be made to the official zoning maps or matter shown thereon except in conformity with the procedures set forth in this title. Any unauthorized change of any kind whatsoever by any person or persons shall be considered a violation of this title and punishable as provided in Section 17.12.150.

2.    Regardless of the existence of proposed copies of the official zoning maps which may from time to time be made or published, the official zoning maps shall be located in the community development department office, where they can be kept current and shall be the final authority as to the current zoning status of lands and water areas.

C.    Replacement. If the official zoning maps become damaged, destroyed, lost or difficult to interpret because of the nature or number of the changes and additions, the city council, after recommendation from the planning and zoning commission, may by ordinance adopt new official zoning maps which shall supersede the prior official zoning maps. (Ord. 24-01 § 1)

17.16.030 Interpretation of boundaries.

When uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of districts as shown on the official zoning maps, the following rules shall apply:

A.    Zoning district boundaries are assumed to extend to the centerline of any public right-of-way adjacent to the parcel.

B.    Boundaries indicated as approximately following the centerline of streets and highways shall be construed as following such centerlines.

C.    Boundaries indicated as approximately following platted lot lines shall be construed as following the lot lines in effect at the time the zoning district was approved.

D.    Boundaries indicated as approximately following section or section subdivision lines shall be construed as following such section or section subdivision lines; boundaries indicated as approximately following city limits shall be construed as following city limits.

E.    Boundaries indicated as following shorelines shall be construed as following the mean water line of that shore. In the event of change, the boundary shall be construed as moving with the actual shoreline affected by that change. Boundaries indicated as approximately following the centerlines of streams, rivers, lakes or other bodies of water shall be construed to follow such centerlines.

F.    Tidelands, as defined in Section 14.04.020, shall be construed as taking on the zoning district of the adjacent lot(s).

G.    Navigable rivers shall be zoned as P Public Lands district. The stream channels and meandering beds of Mineral Creek, Valdez Glacier Stream, and Lowe River shall be assumed to be zoned as P Public Lands district.

H.    Where interpretation is needed as to the exact location of the boundaries of a district, as shown on the official zoning map, as for example, where there appears to be a conflict between a mapped district boundary and actual field conditions, the community development director shall make the necessary interpretation.

I.    Where any public street or alley is officially vacated or abandoned, the zoning district on the abutting property shall apply to the newly vacated or abandoned area. (Ord. 24-01 § 1)

17.16.040 Zoning districts.

A.    Purpose. Zoning districts are designed to assist in carrying out the intent and purpose of the comprehensive plan and to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare of the community.

B.    Allowed Uses by Zoning District. The following table (Table 17.16.040-1) provides the allowed uses in each zoning district.

Table 17.16.040-1 Allowed Uses by Zoning District 

Allowed/permitted (P), Allowed Accessory (A), Conditional (C), and Not Allowed (blank)

 

RR

R1

R2

NMU

CB

G

WI

LI

HI

A

P

UL

CO

NH

Specific Use Standards

Residential

Accessory dwelling units

A

A

A

A

 

 

A

A

A

 

C

 

 

 

Yes

Section 17.80.030

Assisted living homes

P

P

P

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dwellings—Attached—Duplex (2 units per building) and townhouses (2 units)

P

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dwellings—Attached—Townhouse (more than 2 units per building)

 

P

P

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dwellings—Detached

P

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dwellings—Manufactured home (built after June 15, 1976)

P

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dwellings—Mobile home (built prior to June 15, 1976)

P

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dwellings—Multi-unit (more than 4 units per building)

 

C

P

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes

Section 17.80.050

Dwellings—Multi-unit (up to 4 units per building)

 

P

P

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home occupations

A

A

A

A

A

A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes

Section 17.80.080

Manufactured home parks

 

 

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Planned unit development

C

C

C

C

C

C

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes

Chapter 17.84

Shelters (e.g., homeless, victims, emergency)

P

P

P

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

P

 

 

 

Yes

Section 17.80.060

Short-term rentals

P

P

P

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes

Section 17.80.090

Worker housing

C

 

P

 

 

C

C

C

C

 

C

 

 

 

Yes

Section 17.80.070

Lodging

Hotels, motels, inns, rental cabins

C

 

C

P

P

P

 

C

 

 

C

 

 

 

 

Commercial

Adult entertainment uses

 

 

 

 

 

C

C

C

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes

Section 17.80.100

Building material supply establishments

 

 

 

 

P

P

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial and retail sales (all uses unless otherwise listed in this table)

 

 

A

P

P

P

P

P

A

P

A

 

 

 

 

Food production and processing, small scale

 

 

 

P

P

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frozen food storage

 

 

 

P

P

P

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fuel and gas stations

 

 

 

C

C

P

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

Yes

Section 17.80.160

Marijuana retail stores

 

 

 

C

P

P

P

P

A

P

 

 

 

 

 

Self-storage

 

 

 

 

 

 

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vehicle parts and tire sales

 

 

 

P

P

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vehicle sales (motor vehicles)

 

 

 

C

C

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eating and Drinking

Drinking establishments

 

 

A

C

P

P

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eating establishments

 

 

A

P

P

P

P

P

A

 

 

 

 

 

 

Office and Services

Animal boarding, kennels and shelters

C

 

 

C

C

C

P

P

P

 

C

 

 

 

Yes

Section 17.80.110

Animal hospitals, veterinary practices

C

 

 

P

P

P

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boat charter services

C

 

 

P

P

P

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Government offices and services

C

 

 

P

P

P

P

P

P

 

P

 

 

 

 

Laundries, laundromats

C

 

A

P

P

P

A

A

A

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortuaries/funeral homes

 

 

 

C

P

P

C

C

C

 

C

 

 

 

 

Offices (business, professional, medical)—all similar uses unless otherwise listed in this table

 

 

 

P

P

P

 

 

 

P

 

 

 

 

 

Personal services (all similar uses unless otherwise listed in this table)

 

 

 

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public services (non-office oriented)

 

 

A

P

P

P

P

P

P

 

C

 

 

 

 

Vehicle rental

 

 

 

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

Vehicle service (automobiles, boats, and marine equipment)

 

 

 

C

C

P

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

Yes

Section 17.80.160

Public and Quasi-Public

Assembly halls, community buildings, religious institution

P

P

P

P

P

P

C

C

 

 

C

 

 

 

 

Cemeteries

A

A

A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P

 

 

 

 

Child care facilities

P

P

P

P

P

P

C

C

 

 

C

 

 

 

Yes

Section 17.80.150

Correctional facilities

 

 

 

 

C

 

 

C

C

 

C

 

 

 

 

Dams, water reservoirs and water towers

C

C

C

C

C

C

P

P

P

 

P

P

C

P

 

Educational institution or school

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P

 

 

 

 

Educational institution—Vocational

P

 

C

P

P

P

 

C

 

 

P

 

 

 

 

Hospital

 

 

 

 

P

P

 

 

 

 

C

 

 

 

 

Library, museum, cultural institution, and art gallery

C

C

C

P

P

P

C

C

 

 

C

 

 

 

 

Small wind or solar energy systems

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

 

A

 

 

 

 

Utilities Class I (substations, indoor processing)

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

 

C

 

 

 

 

Utilities Class II (power generation, outdoor processing)

C

 

 

C

C

P

P

P

P

 

C

 

 

 

 

Utilities (service lines and small transformers)

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

 

P

P

P

P

 

Wireless communication tower (commercial)

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

 

C

C

C

C

Yes

Section 17.80.190

Recreation

Indoor recreation, private/commercial

 

 

 

C

P

P

C

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indoor recreation, public

 

C

C

C

P

P

 

 

 

 

P

 

 

 

 

Outdoor recreation, private/commercial

 

 

 

P

P

P

 

P

 

 

P

 

 

P

Yes

Section 17.80.200

Outdoor recreation, public

P

P

P

P

C

C

P

P

C

 

P

P

P

P

 

Recreation equipment rental

 

 

 

C

P

P

C

 

 

 

P

 

 

C

 

Recreational vehicle park or campground

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

 

 

C

 

C

C

Yes

Section 17.80.140

Shooting range

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C

C

 

C

 

 

 

 

Industrial, Production and Storage

All industries dependent on marine transportation

 

 

 

 

 

 

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asphalt and concrete plant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barge freight terminal

 

 

 

 

 

 

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boat and RV sales and storage

 

 

 

C

 

C

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Construction yard

 

 

 

A

 

C

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Docks and harbor facilities

 

 

 

 

 

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Explosive ammunition, gunpowder manufacture and storage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fabrication facilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ferry terminals and cruise ship landing

 

 

 

 

 

C

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food production and processing, large scale

 

 

 

 

 

C

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Freight staging and handling areas

 

 

 

 

 

 

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fuel piers

 

 

 

 

 

C

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fuel storage, large scale

 

 

 

 

 

 

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fuel storage, medium scale

 

 

 

A

A

A

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fuel storage, small scale

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

 

 

 

 

 

Hazardous substance production and storage

 

 

 

 

 

 

C

C

C

 

C

 

 

 

 

Ice manufacture, storage and sales

 

 

 

 

 

P

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Junkyards, auto wrecking and scrap yards conducted within an enclosure

 

 

 

 

 

 

C

C

C

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manufacturing and processing

 

 

 

 

 

 

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manufacturing and processing—Artisan

 

 

 

 

C

P

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manufacturing and processing—Light

 

 

 

 

 

P

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marijuana cultivation

 

 

 

 

 

 

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marijuana manufacturing

 

 

 

C

C

C

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marine equipment and repair facilities

 

 

 

 

 

P

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Material resource extraction

 

 

 

 

 

 

C

C

C

 

C

 

 

 

Yes

Section 17.80.170

Meat processing

 

 

 

C

 

C

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mining operation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C

 

 

 

Yes

Section 17.80.180

Mining support services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P

 

C

 

 

 

 

Oil refineries and petrochemical plants, gas liquefaction and fractionation plants

 

 

 

 

 

 

C

 

C

 

 

 

 

 

 

Petroleum products, docks and related facilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

P

 

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sawmills

 

 

 

 

 

 

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seafood processing

 

 

 

C

 

C

P

P

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Solid waste disposal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P

 

C

 

 

 

 

Solid waste processing facility

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C

P

 

C

 

 

 

 

Timber harvesting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C

 

 

 

 

Warehouse

 

 

 

 

C

P

P

P

P

 

C

 

 

 

 

Aviation

Aircraft maintenance and repair operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P

 

 

 

 

Yes

Section 17.80.120

Aircraft parking in conjunction with permitted or conditional uses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P

 

 

 

 

Aircraft rental agencies, lots and hangars

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P

 

 

 

 

Aircraft sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P

 

 

 

 

Airport

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P

 

 

 

 

Aviation electronics and radio sales and repair

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P

 

 

 

 

Aviation instruction facility

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P

 

 

 

 

Aviation products and petroleum sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P

 

 

 

 

Helipad

 

 

 

C

 

C

C

C

C

P

C

 

 

C

Yes

Section 17.80.130

Agriculture

Agricultural activity

P

C

C

 

 

P

P

P

P

 

P

 

 

 

 

Aquaculture operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

P

P

P

 

C

 

 

 

 

Nursery

C

 

C

P

 

P

P

P

P

 

P

 

 

 

 

Raising of livestock

P

C

C

C

 

 

 

C

C

 

 

 

 

 

Yes

Section 17.80.110

Accessory Uses

Accessory buildings

 

A

A

A

 

 

 

P

 

 

A

 

 

 

 

Accessory buildings (nonresidential)

A

 

 

 

A

A

A

 

A

 

 

A

A

C

 

Personal communication antennas (PCA)

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

 

A

A

A

A

 

(Ord. 24-01 § 1)

17.16.050 Uses not specifically listed.

A.    Should the community development director or designee determine that a requested use of land or of a building or structure does not appear in the district regulations as a permitted, accessory, or conditional use, the director or designee shall refer the request to the city planning and zoning commission who, upon written decision, may allow the unlisted use within a district. Such action shall follow the public notice requirements in Section 17.12.160. Each unlisted use meets all of the following criteria:

1.    The use is not specifically permitted in any other district;

2.    The use is not more appropriate in another district; and

3.    The use is consistent with the purpose of the district in question and is similar to other uses permitted outright.

B.    Prohibited Uses. If a use is not listed as permitted, accessory, or conditional, and it is not allowed per Section 17.16.040, it is assumed to be prohibited. (Ord. 24-01 § 1)

17.16.060 Dimensional and intensity standards.

A.    Dimensional and Intensity Table. The following table (17.16.060-1) provides standards for lots, setbacks, and dimensional standards for uses. If no specific use is listed, the standards provided apply to any use or structure in the district.

Table 17.16.060-1 Dimensional and Intensity Standards

 

RR

R1

R2

NMU

CB

G

WI

LI

HI

A

P

CO

NH

UL

Structure Height (maximum)7

Primary

35-ft

35-ft

40-ft

40-ft

40-ft

40-ft

40-ft

40-ft

—

—

40-ft

—

35 ft

—

Accessory

35-ft

20-ft

20-ft

20 ft

20-ft

20-ft

35-ft

35-ft

35-ft

—

35-ft

—

—

—

Accessory (Agriculture)

45-ft

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Lot Area (minimum)6

40,000-sf

5,500-sf

4,000-sf

5,500-sf

—

—

6,000-sf

 

40,000 sf

—

—

—

—

—

Lot Width (minimum)6

120-ft

50-ft

40-ft

100-ft

—

50-ft

50-ft

200-ft

—

—

—

—

—

Setback (minimum)2,3,4,5

Front

20-ft

20-ft

20-ft

20-ft

—

—

20-ft

20-ft

20-ft

—

20-ft

—

—

—

Side

10-ft

10-ft

10-ft

10-ft

—

—

10-ft

10-ft

10-ft

—

10-ft

—

—

—

Rear

15-ft

15-ft

15-ft

15-ft

—

—

15-ft

15-ft

15-ft

—

15-ft

—

—

—

Dwelling—Attached, Townhouses

Lot Area Per Unit (minimum)

—

1,500-sf

1,500-sf

1,500-sf

1,500-sf

1,500-sf

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Lot Width (minimum)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Dwelling—Multi-Unit—up to 4 units per building and more than 4 units per building (units on a shared lot)

Lot Width (minimum)

—

80-ft

60-ft

60-ft

60-ft

60-ft

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Setback3,5 (minimum)

Front

 

—

20-ft

15-ft

15-ft

15-ft

15-ft

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Side1

 

—

10-ft

10-ft

10-ft

10-ft

10-ft

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Rear

 

—

15-ft

10-ft

10-ft

10-ft

10-ft

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Notes:

1. Setbacks apply between buildings and property lines. Zero setback is required where units share a wall with an abutting dwelling. Setbacks do not apply to building separation on the same lot.

2. Setbacks may be reduced by five feet if structure roofs are designed to either hold snow or not shed into the setback subject to the reduction, so long as structure does not encroach on a platted easement and remains a minimum of five feet from any property line.

3. Accessory structures two hundred square feet or less, and not on a permanent foundation, may encroach into the rear and side yard setbacks only; provided, the structure is located on the rear twenty-five percent of the parcel and is a minimum of five feet from both the rear and side lot lines.

4. All lands adjacent to conservation districts will be required to maintain a minimum twenty-five-foot setback.

5. Setbacks in districts with no minimum shown in this table shall be subject to building and fire code requirements regarding firewalls and separation of buildings.

6. The community development director or designee may permit smaller lot sizes for lots used for utilities.

7. See Section 17.88.020 regarding additional height standards.

(Ord. 24-01 § 1)