Topic

Building and Renovating

Before beginning the construction, alteration, repair, or changing the occupancy of a building, a substantial land structure, or structure regulated by state division of fire and life safety (or their designated Jurisdiction Having Authority [JHA]), plans and specifications regarding that building's or structure's location on the property, area, height, number of stories, occupancy, type of construction, fire-resistive construction, interior finish, exit facilities, electrical systems, mechanical systems, flammable or combustible liquid and gas storage tanks and their appurtenances, automatic fire-extinguishing systems, and fire alarm systems must be submitted by the owner or the owner's representative for examination and approval. This review does not address structural considerations or mechanical or electrical review beyond that necessary to confirm compliance with fire or life safety requirements. A copy of the approval must be posted as required in 13 AAC 55.100.

It is prohibited to occupy a building for which plans have not been examined and approved if the construction, alteration, repair, or change in occupancy began on or after December 5, 1956. The JHA may post a building constructed without a plan review, as set out in 13 AAC 50.070(b). 

Note: Residential housing that is triplex or smaller are exempt from this requirement.

Adopted Building Codes - 2021 CODE CYCLE

Title 13 of the Alaska Administrative Code, Chapters 50 through 55, was adopted and amended to the 2021 International Building, Fire, Fuel Gas and Mechanical Codes. This new code takes effect on October 28, 2022.

All of the International Building codes are on three-year cycles for updates. At the state level, we often lag from the most current versions. Public notifications will be done prior to the consideration of the code updates. Currently, we are using the 2021 versions. 

• 2021 International Building Code

• 2021 International Fire Code

• 2021 International Mechanical  Code

• 2021 International Existing Building Code

The codes above are linked to the ICC eCodes Free Subscription Web Site. This site is designed to allow you to view the International Codes for free. You are limited in your abilities to search and print, however all sections of the codes are available for you. The State of Alaska and MSB have not adopted the International Residential Code (IRC). For reference purposes, the 2015 IRC codes may be viewed HERE.

If you are interested in being able to have full search and printing abilities, please visit shop.ICCsafe.org for a pay option, that will allow full access and full features. For technical support using this product, please call International Code Council® at 888-422-7233 ext 33822. COPYRIGHT 2007 by INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The International Codes® are a copyrighted work owned by the International Code Council, Inc. Without advance written permission from the copyright owner, no part of these books may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including, without limitation, electronic, optical or mechanical means (by way of example and not limitation, photocopying, or recording by or in an information storage retrieval system). For information on permission to copy material exceeding fair use, please contact: President, International Code Council, 5203 Leesburg Pike, Suite 600, Falls Church, Virginia 22041-3401. (Phone 703-931-4533).

Building Permit Process

Submit completed plan review application form and construction documents (see above) to the Permit Technician at FireCode@MatSuGov.us. Click here  NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS ONLINE!  Click here

1. Application

   If your project is for an existing building, submit a copy of the previous building plan review approval letter and certificate. It is prohibited to occupy a building for which plans have not been examined or approved.

2. Plan Review

   Fire system plan reviews (fire alarm, fire suppression, hood suppressions, and fuel systems) will be submitted using the Plan Review Application above.

3. Permit Issuance

   A plan review fee will be calculated and a fee letter will be generated by the Permit Technician.

   The plans are reviewed by a Deputy Fire Marshal after receipt of the fee.

   The review is usually completed within a three-week time frame; however, additional information may be required.

   Once the review has been approved as submitted and/or modified, an approval letter and certificate will be issued.

   A copy of the certificate must be posted as required in 13 AAC 55.100(b).

4. Inspections

   Once work has been completed on-site and ready to open to the public, contact a staff member at (907)861-8383 or Fire.Code@/MatSuGov.us to schedule a final inspection.

   If there are deficiencies noted at the inspection, a timeframe will be established for completion of corrections.

5. Certificate of Occupancy

   Once any deficiencies have been corrected, a certificate of occupancy will be issued and the plan review will be closed.