Building up anchorage.

• Author: Steffens, Michelle
• Position: Alaska Trends

Residential building permits are required for most single-family, duplex, and mobile home modifications in the Anchorage area. Permit approval is necessary for construction of new homes, additions to existing structures, remodeling projects greater than $5,000, storage sheds greater than 120 square feet, fences taller than eight feet, decks either attached to the building or 30 inches above ground, installation of furnaces and hot water heaters, and major electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work.

Total residential permit value, as calculated by the Municipality of Anchorage, is the sum of six permit types: 1) single family-new, 2) duplex-new, 3) addition, 4) alteration, 5) retrofit, and 6) change order. (Note: additions and retrofits were not included in calculations prior 2007) New permits are requests to build new home structures. Additions increase the square footage of a current building. Alterations are interior improvements...