Service

Waste Incinerators - Conditional Use Permit

A Conditional Use Permit is required to construct or operate a waste incinerator in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.

This includes:

Medical waste incinerators
Non-medical waste incinerators

This process ensures facilities are properly located and operated to protect public health, safety, and the environment.

Step 1: Confirm Applicability

This permit applies borough-wide except:

Where incinerators are prohibited within a Special Land Use District (SPUD)
Within the cities of Houston, Palmer, or Wasilla

This chapter does not apply to:

Fireplaces or wood stoves used for heating
Small-scale burning such as burn barrels for household waste

If your property is within a SPUD, the most restrictive applicable regulation governs.

Step 2: Key Location and Siting Requirements

A Conditional Use Permit cannot be approved unless the following standards are met:

Minimum lot size: 10 acres
Location must not be within a mapped flood hazard area
Minimum separation distances:
- At least ½ mile from residential structures or facilities
- At least 1 mile from schools or daycare facilities
All access and parking areas must support emergency vehicle access

Liability insurance is required:

Minimum $1,000,000 per occurrence
$2,000,000 aggregate

Step 3: Application Requirements

A complete application must include:

Completed application form and filing fee
Site plan showing:
- Structures and layout
- Access, parking, drainage, and buffering
Narrative describing:
- Facility size and operation
- Type and volume of waste
- Equipment specifications
- Projected traffic

Technical documentation must include:

Topography, geology, and hydrology report prepared by a professional engineer
Waste disposal plan for ash and by-products
Fire safety plan
Employee safety and training plan
Hazardous materials storage and handling plan
Closure or decommissioning plan
Documentation of required state and federal permits or progress toward obtaining them

Step 4: Additional Requirements by Facility Type

Medical waste incinerators must include:

Documentation of compliance with federal standards (40 CFR 60.50c)
Employee training plan for handling medical waste and sharps

Non-medical incinerators:

If processing 5 tons or more per day, a permit from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is required

Step 5: Apply Online

Submit your application through the Borough portal:

Apply Online – MSB Self-Service Portal

Step 6: Review Process

Staff review for completeness
Public notice issued
Public hearing before Planning Commission
Decision issued with findings and conditions

The Planning Commission may impose additional conditions, including:

Increased setbacks or buffering
Operational limits
Additional environmental protections

Step 7: Construction and Operation

Before construction:

A Conditional Use Permit must be approved

Before operation:

An operating certificate must be obtained

This requires:

As-built survey
Engineer certification of compliance
Proof of all required state and federal approvals

Step 8: Ongoing Responsibilities

After approval, the permit holder must:

Maintain required insurance
Submit updated insurance documentation annually
Notify the Borough of any permit or operational changes

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all incinerators require a permit?
Yes, unless they fall under small-scale exemptions such as residential burn barrels or heating devices.

Can an incinerator be located near homes or schools?
No. Minimum setbacks are required:

½ mile from residential structures
1 mile from schools or daycare facilities

Can this permit be issued in a SPUD?
Only if the use is allowed and meets both SPUD and MSB 17.64 requirements. The most restrictive standard applies.

When can operations begin?
Only after an operating certificate is issued following construction and inspection.

Code Reference

MSB 17.64 – Waste Incinerators
https://www.codepublishing.com/AK/MatanuskaSusitnaBorough/