A.

Unless otherwise provided for in this title, no building or land shall be used or occupied and no building or any part thereof shall be erected, moved or structurally altered for any use, unless such use is in conformity with the regulations specified in this title for the district in which such building or land is, or is intended to be located.

(Ord. 557 § 3 (part), 1985)

Unless otherwise provided for in this title, no building shall hereafter be erected or altered to exceed the height, to accommodate or house a greater number of families or lodgers, to occupy a greater percentage of lot area, or to have a smaller front, side or rear yard than is specified in this title for the districts in which such building is located.

(Ord. 557 § 3 (part), 1985)

In the R-R, S-F, S-F 2, and SFMH districts, not more than one principal building shall be permitted on a lot except in cases where area is of sufficient size to allow lot to be subdivided, in which case the owner shall file an official plat of the subdivision, said plat to be certified by registered land surveyor and approved by the board.

(Ord. 557 § 3(part), 1985; Ord. No. 2022-12, § 3C., 10-3-2022)

In SF and MF districts:

A.

Signs may not exceed three square feet, containing the name of the occupant and the name of the lawful home occupation;

B.

For sale, for rent and for lease signs shall be temporarily permitted, but are not to exceed eight square feet in area, if located back of the setback or building line;

C.

Signs of not more than twenty square feet shall be permitted to identify multiple-family dwellings, hotels, clubs, lodges, hospitals and public and similar uses, if mounted against the building or more than fifteen feet back of the front lot line;

D.

Churches and public and charitable institutions may, for their own use, maintain an announcement sign or bulletin board not exceeding twenty square feet in area, if located five or more feet back of the front lot line.

E.

Informational, directional and regulatory signs sanctioned by the city shall not be subject to these regulations.

(Ord. 863 § 3 (4), 2003; Ord. 557 § 3 (part), 1985)

In C-1, C-2 and industrial districts:

A.

Flashing or animated signs are prohibited in all districts.

B.

Wall signs (including awning signs) shall be limited to no more than two main signs per wall face with the total area of the signs not to exceed fifty square feet. No one sign may exceed thirty-two square feet. Signs may only be used to identify the business currently occupying the premises.

C.

Marquee signs (signs placed above a walkway and under a weather-protecting awning, marquee, or parapet) are limited to one per entrance and must be securely fastened, safely constructed and shall not obstruct vision for the purpose of safe pedestrian and vehicular traffic. The bottom of the marquee sign must be at least eighty-eight inches above the sidewalk.

D.

Freestanding signs (signs which are attached to or a part of a completely self-supporting structure) are permitted, provided there is no more than one sign per building. Freestanding signs south of the cemetery and north of 4-mile Mitkof Highway can be no larger than fifty square feet and the maximum sign height is twenty-four feet above grade. Freestanding signs south of 4-mile Mitkof Highway will only be allowed by conditional use permit. Freestanding signs north of the cemetery can be no larger than thirty-two square feet and the maximum sign height is sixteen feet above grade.

E.

Sidewalk signs (movable signs located on the sidewalk) are limited to one per business and the sign must be located directly in front of the premises. The placement of the sidewalk sign must allow a minimum of thirty-six inches of clear space on the sidewalk to not interfere with the movement of pedestrians. The movable sidewalk sign shall not exceed thirty inches in width and thirty-six inches in height. The sign may only be displayed during store hours and when the store is open for business. The movable sidewalk sign shall not require electrical power in any form and shall not display lights or contain any moving parts. The planning commission may allow additional sidewalk signs if it is deemed necessary for the purpose of directing traffic to a remote business.

F.

The planning commission may allow a larger sign or signs if it is determined the size of the sign or signs is proportional to the building and the character of the sign does not detract from the neighborhood.

G.

With the goal of perpetuating the heritage of Petersburg, a Scandinavian or Native theme is recommended.

H.

Informational, directional and regulatory signs sanctioned by the city shall not be subject to these regulations.

I.

Any existing sign erected before the adoption of this section which would not be in compliance with the provisions of this section shall be allowed to continue for a period of not more than ten years from the effective date of this section. Any existing sign that is altered or moved shall only be replaced by conforming sign or signs.

(Ord. 863 § 3 (6), 2003: Ord. 557 § 3 (part), 1985)

Every building erected, enlarged or converted for commercial purposes after the enactment of this title shall provide reasonable off-street facilities for loading and unloading of goods, in compliance with all of the regulations established by this title according to the use of such building.

(Ord. 557 § 3 (part), 1985)

Plans for any public or private garage for more than five cars in any district, and plans for any service station vending gasoline, shall be first submitted to the commission for approval. The commission may require changes in such plans in the interest of safety and traffic flow, and to safeguard adjacent properties.

(Ord. 557 § 3 (part), 1985)

Every building erected, enlarged or converted to a use which requires off-street parking after the enactment of the ordinance codified in this title shall include garage space or parking space in compliance with all the regulations established by this title for the district in which the building is located.

(Ord. 557 § 3 (part), 1985)

A.

Garages. In residence districts, the number of motor vehicles for which garage space may be provided as accessory to an authorized use shall not exceed the following:

1.

In an SF district, two vehicles for each 2,500 square feet by which the lot exceeds 7,500 square feet.

2.

In an MF district, two motor vehicles for a one-family or two-family dwelling. For multiple-family dwellings, parking space may be provided for each dwelling unit.

3.

A garage accessory to a multi-family dwelling or hotel may employ one or more attendants who may service and make minor repairs to motor vehicles; provided, that such work is done entirely within the building and no noise or nuisance-causing machinery or equipment is used.

B.

Motor vehicle repair shops. No motor vehicle repair shall be permitted as an accessory use in any district, except in C-1, C-2 and I-1 districts.

C.

Detached accessory dwellings. Where allowed as an accessory use, detached accessory dwellings shall conform to the following standards:

1.

One dwelling unit. A maximum of one detached accessory dwelling unit is allowed per legal lot. No more than two dwelling units per legal lot, including an accessory dwelling, are allowed.

2.

Building area/lot coverage. A detached accessory dwelling shall not exceed 800 square feet of building area, or the following percentage of the principal dwelling's building area, whichever is less: 40 percent of the principal dwelling's building area on lots 0.5 acre or less, 60 percent of the principal dwelling's building area on lots greater than 0.5 acre but less than one acre, and 80 percent of the principal dwelling's building area on lots one acre or greater. Any garage associated with the principal dwelling is not included in the calculation of building area. Detached accessory dwellings are included in calculating lot coverage. Notwithstanding Chapter 19.80, lot coverage variances shall not be granted for construction of a detached accessory dwelling.

3.

Location on lot. A detached accessory dwelling shall be either a minimum of 40 feet from the front property line or no closer to the front property line than the principal dwelling, while still meeting yard setback requirements for the district.

4.

Building design. The detached accessory dwelling shall be constructed of materials that are the same or similar to the materials used on the principal dwelling.

5.

Building height. The height of a detached accessory dwelling shall not exceed the height of the principal dwelling. Notwithstanding Chapter 19.80, a building height variance shall not be granted for construction of a detached accessory dwelling.

6.

Utilities. A detached accessory dwelling may not share utilities with the principal dwelling unless approved by the utility provider. Detached accessory dwellings constructed off-site shall not be connected to utilities until the dwelling is approved by the borough building official. If the lot has an on-site waste disposal system, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation must verify in writing that the disposal system has the capacity to service an additional dwelling,

7.

Parking. Notwithstanding section 19.64.010 A., the presence of a detached accessory dwelling on a lot shall not increase the required number of parking spaces.

8.

Yard setback requirements. Notwithstanding section 19.60.060 B., a detached accessory dwelling must comply with yard setback requirements for the district. Notwithstanding Chapter 19.80, a setback variance shall not be granted for construction of a detached accessory dwelling.

9.

Prohibited. No manufactured home, recreational vehicle, or mobile home shall be used as a detached accessory dwelling, except a manufactured home, constructed under the HUD code, may be used as a detached accessory dwelling in the SFMH district.

(Ord. 557 § 3(part), 1985; Ord. No. 2022-12, § 3B.III., 10-3-2022)

Fences or walls not more than six feet high may be erected in any residence district, but no fence, wall or shrubbery shall be maintained within twenty-five feet of any street intersection so as to interfere with traffic visibility, excepting a fence, wall or shrubbery not to exceed three feet in height, measuring from the level of the street, or a tree less than one foot in diameter, if trimmed to a height of seven feet. Fences in excess of six feet in height may be allowed if approved by the commission.

(Ord. 772 § 3 (part), 1996: Ord. 557 § 3 (part), 1985)

A.

The height limitations of this title shall not apply to church spires, belfries, cupolas and domes, if not used for human occupancy, nor to chimneys, ventilators, weather vanes, skylights, water tanks, bulkheads, monuments, flag poles, television and radio antennas, and other similar features, and necessary mechanical appurtenances usually carried above roof level.

B.

The provisions of this title shall not apply to prevent the erection, above the building height limit, of parapet walls or cornices, if without windows and not exceeding five feet in height.

C.

The provisions of this title shall not prevent the erection above the building height limit, of any structure within any commercial or industrial zone with an approved fire suppression system approved by the State Fire Marshal's office.

(Ord. 557 § 3 (part), 1985)

No lot shall be so reduced in area that any required yard or other open space shall be smaller than prescribed in the regulations for the district in which said lot is located. Whenever such reduction in lot area occurs, any building located on such lot shall thereafter not be used until such building is altered.

(Ord. 557 § 3 (part), 1985)

A.

Notwithstanding the limitations imposed by any provisions of this title, the commission may permit the construction of single-family dwellings on any lot legally subdivided and separately owned, or under contract of sale, and containing at the time of the passage of the title, an area or a width smaller than required for a one-family dwelling.

B.

Notwithstanding the limitations imposed by any provisions of this title, the commission may permit the alteration of one-family and two-family dwellings situated on an area or width smaller than required for such dwellings; provided, however, that such alterations are designed to increase the safety and sightliness of the building or to furnish off-street parking, and; provided further, that the building was in existence at the time of the passage of this title, the area of the lot had not subsequently been reduced, and that such alteration does not increase the building area measurement, nor reduce the existing yard space.

(Ord. 557 § 3 (part), 1985)