Unincorporated Fairbanks North Star Borough

A ZONING permit is required before excavation, construction, relocation, or installation begins for any new use in most zoning districts. Exceptions: properties in General Use (GU) zoning district outside special landscape overlay zones, and lots being cleared or graded only. A FLOODPLAIN permit is required for new construction and development in Special Flood Hazard Areas. NO BUILDING PERMIT is required in unincorporated FNSB because the borough has not adopted a building code.

• Exempt All construction in unincorporated FNSB is exempt from building permit requirements (no building code adopted)
• Exempt Properties in General Use (GU) zoning district outside special landscape area overlay zones
• Exempt Lots being cleared or graded only (no new construction or change of use)
• Exempt Work types listed in 2015 International Building Code Section 105.2 do not require a zoning permit (minor repairs and maintenance not affecting structural, fire, egress, or sanitation elements)
• Exempt Note: Commercial marijuana establishments are NOT exempt and require zoning or conditional use permit approval

Note: All construction is exempt from building permit. Zoning permit exemptions apply in limited circumstances.

Building code

None adopted at the borough level. The FNSB has not adopted a building code for the unincorporated area.

Permit validity

Not stated publicly; contact planning@fnsb.gov.

Owner-builder

Not applicable (no building permit in unincorporated area). State contractor licensing requirements still apply statewide.

Contractor requirements

State of Alaska contractor licensing applies to all construction statewide regardless of local permit requirements.

Source: Fairbanks North Star Borough Department of Community Planning ↗

1. 01
   Check property zoning using the interactive Zoning Identifier Map at https://www.fnsb.gov/222/Planning-Zoning-Resources.
2. 02
   Download the applicable zoning permit application: Residential Zoning Permit or Commercial/Industrial/Multi-Family Zoning Permit. A separate form exists for marijuana establishments.
3. 03
   Prepare a site plan per the FNSB site plan drawing instructions available from planning@fnsb.gov.
4. 04
   Email completed application and site plan to planning@fnsb.gov, or submit in person.
5. 05
   The department reviews the application and issues the zoning permit within five business days of receiving a complete application (up to 15 business days for properties in certain overlay zones).
6. 06
   For properties in a Special Flood Hazard Area, also obtain a Floodplain Permit: Determine flood zone using FEMA flood maps, download the applicable floodplain permit application, and submit with required documentation.
7. 07
   Borough has 30 days to process floodplain permit applications.

Typical processing time: Zoning permits: 5 business days. Floodplain permits: 30 days.

Source: Fairbanks North Star Borough Department of Community Planning ↗

No payment required for zoning permits; other planning application fees paid at submission.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective July 1, 2025) before budgeting.

Typical sequence: Not applicable; the FNSB does not conduct building inspections in unincorporated areas. However, commercial, multi-family, industrial, and institutional construction anywhere in Alaska may require plan review and inspection by the Alaska State Fire Marshal's Office. Contact the Alaska State Fire Marshal, Interior Alaska office, at (907) 451-5200 or apply online at https://st-alaska-ak.smartgovcommunity.com/

Source: Fairbanks North Star Borough Department of Community Planning ↗