Kodiak Island Borough
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
17.45 NU
Natural Use District
17.45.010 Description and intent.
The NU natural use zoning district is established for the purpose of protecting the natural environment, including fish and wildlife habitat and water quality and quantity, while providing for the human use of fish, wildlife, and plant resources. This zoning district is also designed to:
A. Protect trails on public lands;
B. Protect waterways and their banks; and
C. Discourage development by prohibiting the construction of most structures in this zoning district. [Ord. 89-04-O §2, 1989. Formerly §17.12.010].
17.45.020 Permitted principal uses and structures.
The following land uses and activities are permitted in the natural use district:
A. Fish, wildlife, or habitat enhancement and/or rehabilitation projects (nonstructural);
B. Hunting, fishing, trapping, and plant gathering activities;
C. Passive recreation activities (photography, hiking, camping, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, etc.);
D. Pedestrian trails and trail systems;
E. Public coastal docking facilities; and
F. Recreational cabin. [Ord. 2007-08 §4; Ord. 89-04-O §2, 1989. Formerly §17.12.020].
17.45.030 Permitted accessory uses and structures.
None are established for this district. [Ord. 89-04-O §2, 1989. Formerly §17.12.030].
17.45.040 Conditional uses.
The following land uses and activities may be allowed by obtaining a conditional use permit in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 17.200 KIBC:
A. Communication facilities and towers;
B. Parks and recreational support structures, including related equipment, facilities, and structures (e.g., playground equipment, bathroom facilities, picnic shelters, parking lots, and other paved areas, etc.);
C. Public recreational cabins;
D. Road and utility installations; and
E. Structures which enhance the intent of the natural use district (e.g., fish, wildlife, or habitat enhancement and/or rehabilitation structures, fish ladders, hatcheries, etc.). [Ord. FY2018-17 §2, 2018; Ord. 94-02 §2, 1994; Ord. 89-04-O §2, 1989. Formerly §17.12.040].
17.45.050 Minimum lot area and width requirements.
Minimum lot area and width will be specified as a condition of approval for approved conditional uses based on the specific request. [Ord. 89-04-O §2, 1989. Formerly §17.12.050].
17.45.060 Maximum lot coverage for structures.
Maximum lot coverage for structures will be specified as a condition of approval for approved conditional uses based on the specific request. [Ord. 89-04-O §2, 1989. Formerly §17.12.060].
17.45.070 Maximum height of structures.
Maximum height for structures will be specified as a condition of approval for approved conditional uses based on the specific request. [Ord. 89-04-O §2, 1989. Formerly §17.12.070].
17.45.080 Setbacks from property lines.
Setbacks from property lines will be specified as a condition of approval for approved conditional uses based on the specific request. [Ord. 89-04-O §2, 1989. Formerly §17.12.080].
17.45.090 Special district regulations.
Approved conditional uses in this district will conform to the following performance standards:
A. Must support a public need;
B. Must minimize the impact on the natural environment and shall preserve, to the maximum extent feasible and prudent*, natural features, specifically:
1. Conditional uses in upland habitats must retain natural vegetation coverage, natural drainage patterns, prevent excessive runoff and erosion, and maintain surface water quality and natural groundwater recharge areas; and
2. Conditional uses in estuaries, tideflats, and wetlands must assure water flow, natural circulation patterns, and adequate nutrient and oxygen levels; and
C. Although a particular conditional use may constitute a minor change, the cumulative effect of numerous piecemeal changes can result in a major impairment of the environment. The particular site for which a conditional use application is made will be evaluated with the recognition that it may be part of a complete and interrelated environmental area. [Ord. 89-04-O §2, 1989. Formerly §17.12.090].
17.45.100 Fences, parking, and signs.
Fences, parking areas, and signs are permitted when they are necessary for the use of the property for a permitted and/or approved conditional use.1 [Ord. 89-04-O §2, 1989. Formerly §17.12.100].
1“Feasible and prudent” means consistent with sound engineering practices and not causing environmental, social, or economic problems that outweigh the public benefit to be derived from compliance with the condition which is modified by the term “feasible and prudent.”
17.45.010 Description and intent.
The NU natural use zoning district is established for the purpose of protecting the natural environment, including fish and wildlife habitat and water quality and quantity, while providing for the human use of fish, wildlife, and plant resources. This zoning district is also designed to:
A. Protect trails on public lands;
B. Protect waterways and their banks; and
C. Discourage development by prohibiting the construction of most structures in this zoning district. [Ord. 89-04-O §2, 1989. Formerly §17.12.010].
17.45.020 Permitted principal uses and structures.
The following land uses and activities are permitted in the natural use district:
A. Fish, wildlife, or habitat enhancement and/or rehabilitation projects (nonstructural);
B. Hunting, fishing, trapping, and plant gathering activities;
C. Passive recreation activities (photography, hiking, camping, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, etc.);
D. Pedestrian trails and trail systems;
E. Public coastal docking facilities; and
F. Recreational cabin. [Ord. 2007-08 §4; Ord. 89-04-O §2, 1989. Formerly §17.12.020].
17.45.030 Permitted accessory uses and structures.
None are established for this district. [Ord. 89-04-O §2, 1989. Formerly §17.12.030].
17.45.040 Conditional uses.
The following land uses and activities may be allowed by obtaining a conditional use permit in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 17.200 KIBC:
A. Communication facilities and towers;
B. Parks and recreational support structures, including related equipment, facilities, and structures (e.g., playground equipment, bathroom facilities, picnic shelters, parking lots, and other paved areas, etc.);
C. Public recreational cabins;
D. Road and utility installations; and
E. Structures which enhance the intent of the natural use district (e.g., fish, wildlife, or habitat enhancement and/or rehabilitation structures, fish ladders, hatcheries, etc.). [Ord. FY2018-17 §2, 2018; Ord. 94-02 §2, 1994; Ord. 89-04-O §2, 1989. Formerly §17.12.040].
17.45.050 Minimum lot area and width requirements.
Minimum lot area and width will be specified as a condition of approval for approved conditional uses based on the specific request. [Ord. 89-04-O §2, 1989. Formerly §17.12.050].
17.45.060 Maximum lot coverage for structures.
Maximum lot coverage for structures will be specified as a condition of approval for approved conditional uses based on the specific request. [Ord. 89-04-O §2, 1989. Formerly §17.12.060].
17.45.070 Maximum height of structures.
Maximum height for structures will be specified as a condition of approval for approved conditional uses based on the specific request. [Ord. 89-04-O §2, 1989. Formerly §17.12.070].
17.45.080 Setbacks from property lines.
Setbacks from property lines will be specified as a condition of approval for approved conditional uses based on the specific request. [Ord. 89-04-O §2, 1989. Formerly §17.12.080].
17.45.090 Special district regulations.
Approved conditional uses in this district will conform to the following performance standards:
A. Must support a public need;
B. Must minimize the impact on the natural environment and shall preserve, to the maximum extent feasible and prudent*, natural features, specifically:
1. Conditional uses in upland habitats must retain natural vegetation coverage, natural drainage patterns, prevent excessive runoff and erosion, and maintain surface water quality and natural groundwater recharge areas; and
2. Conditional uses in estuaries, tideflats, and wetlands must assure water flow, natural circulation patterns, and adequate nutrient and oxygen levels; and
C. Although a particular conditional use may constitute a minor change, the cumulative effect of numerous piecemeal changes can result in a major impairment of the environment. The particular site for which a conditional use application is made will be evaluated with the recognition that it may be part of a complete and interrelated environmental area. [Ord. 89-04-O §2, 1989. Formerly §17.12.090].
17.45.100 Fences, parking, and signs.
Fences, parking areas, and signs are permitted when they are necessary for the use of the property for a permitted and/or approved conditional use.1 [Ord. 89-04-O §2, 1989. Formerly §17.12.100].
1“Feasible and prudent” means consistent with sound engineering practices and not causing environmental, social, or economic problems that outweigh the public benefit to be derived from compliance with the condition which is modified by the term “feasible and prudent.”