City and Borough of Wrangell

A permit is required for new construction of any occupied structure; additions to existing structures; structural alterations or repairs; interior alterations affecting fire-rated assemblies or means of egress; roofing replacement; electrical work (new service, panel replacement, service upgrades, new circuits, rewiring); plumbing (new installations, water heater replacement, additions to drain-waste-vent system); mechanical work (HVAC, boiler, solid-fuel appliances); demolition; change of occupancy; manufactured and modular homes; accessory structures above threshold size; decks and porches attached to structures; fences above threshold height; retaining walls above threshold height; commercial signage; and floodplain development in FEMA-designated flood zones.

• Exempt Minor repairs and maintenance that do not alter structural elements, egress, or fire-rated assemblies
• Exempt Painting, flooring, cabinet replacement, and similar cosmetic work
• Exempt Very small detached accessory structures (confirm square footage threshold with the department)

Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements, or from state and federal environmental regulations (Army Corps wetlands, ADEC septic, historic preservation). Always confirm that your project does not trigger zoning, floodplain, federal wetlands, or other environmental permit requirements even if a building permit may not be needed. Contact the Community Development Department at (907) 874-2381 before proceeding with any exempt work.

Building code

2018 International Building Code (IBC), 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC), 2018 International Plumbing Code (IPC), 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), 2017 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), 2018 International Fire Code (IFC), and 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC). Check Wrangell Municipal Code Title 15 for any local amendments to base codes. Seismic design (Seismic Design Category D or higher), snow loads, wind loads, and high precipitation moisture management requirements apply per ASCE 7-16 and Alaska-specific practices.

Permit validity

Permits typically expire if work does not commence within 180 days of issuance, or if authorized work is abandoned or suspended for 180 consecutive days. Contact the Community Development Department for renewal procedures and any applicable renewal fees.

Owner-builder

Alaska allows property owners to obtain building permits for structures they own and intend to occupy as their primary residence without holding a contractor license. However, trade work (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) on owner-occupied residential structures must still comply with Alaska State licensing law. Confirm current exemptions with the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED) Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing (CBPL) division and with the Community Development Department before proceeding without a licensed contractor.

Contractor requirements

Alaska requires contractors to be licensed under Alaska Statute AS 08.18 (Construction Contractors). The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED) issues contractor registration and specialty trade licenses (electricians, plumbers). Verify contractor registration status using the DCCED license search before executing contracts.

Source: Community Development Department ↗

1. 01
   Verify the subject parcel is within the City and Borough of Wrangell and is not on federally owned National Forest land or tribal trust land requiring separate approvals.
2. 02
   Identify the permit type: building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, demolition, floodplain, or sign permit.
3. 03
   Check zoning under Wrangell Municipal Code Title 17 to confirm the proposed use is permitted. If a variance or conditional use permit is needed, obtain that before or concurrently with the building permit.
4. 04
   Assess additional federal and state permits that may be required: Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 (wetlands), Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (septic, water, stormwater), State Historic Preservation Office (archaeological sites), Tribal notifications (if on or near tribal land).
5. 05
   Prepare the complete application package: permit application form, site plan, construction drawings, energy code compliance documentation, contractor information, and any geotechnical reports required.
6. 06
   Submit the application in person at City Hall (205 Brueger Street, Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM Alaska Time) or by mail to PO Box 531. Email submission of scanned documents to cdept@wrangell.com may be accepted; confirm in advance.
7. 07
   Pay the plan review fee at the time of submittal. Fees may be paid by check, money order, or cash.
8. 08
   Building Official reviews the application for compliance with adopted state and local codes, zoning, and floodplain requirements. Expect 2–4 weeks for straightforward residential projects and 4–8 weeks or more for complex commercial projects.
9. 09
   Respond to correction requests and resubmit revised drawings as needed.
10. 10
    Pay any remaining permit fee balance, sign the permit card, and receive the issued permit. Post the permit card in a visible location on the job site.
11. 11
    Commence work within the permit validity period (typically 180 days from issuance; confirm with the department). Keep approved plans on-site and available for inspector review.
12. 12
    Schedule required inspections by calling the Building Official at (907) 874-2381. Advance notice of 24–48 hours is recommended to ensure inspector availability.
13. 13
    Obtain a final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy from the Building Official before occupying a new structure or newly permitted addition.

Typical processing time: Routine residential building permits: approximately 2–4 weeks for plan review if the application is complete. Commercial or more complex residential projects: 4–8 weeks or longer depending on project scope and department workload. Incomplete applications restart the clock.

Source: Community Development Department ↗

• (907) 874-2381 — Community Development Department / Building Official (phone)
• City Hall, 205 Brueger Street (Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Alaska Time) (in-person)

Scheduling deadline

Advance notice of 24–48 hours is recommended to ensure inspector availability, particularly for time-sensitive inspections such as footing inspections before concrete is poured.

Inspection hours

Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Alaska Time; closed on Alaska state holidays and federal holidays observed locally

Time windows

Inspection scheduling is typically handled informally by direct phone contact with the Building Official.

Typical sequence: Typical sequence for new residential construction: (1) Foundation/footing inspection (before concrete pour), (2) Under-slab inspection (if applicable), (3) Foundation dampproofing/waterproofing (before backfill), (4) Rough framing, (5) Rough plumbing, (6) Rough electrical, (7) Rough mechanical/HVAC, (8) Insulation/energy code inspection (critical for Climate Zone 7 compliance), (9) Drywall/fire-rated assembly (if applicable), (10) Final inspection. Commercial projects require the full IBC inspection sequence including special inspections under IBC Chapter 17. Floodplain projects require pre-construction and post-construction elevation certificates by licensed surveyors. Confirm specific required inspection stages with the Building Official at permit issuance.

Remote video inspections may be used for certain inspection types at the Building Official's discretion; confirm applicability for your project.

Source: Community Development Department ↗