Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK Cannabis Regulations: Dispensary Zoning (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit type
- Conditional use permit, commission approval
- Siting test
- Business proximity, residential proximity, road adequacy
- Parking ratio
- 1 space per 350 sq ft net floor area
- Space dimensions
- 20 ft long, 10 ft wide, 7 ft clearance
- On-site use
- Consumption on premises prohibited
- Violation class
- Infraction under § 17.60.215
Summary
Marijuana retail facilities in the borough's zoning jurisdiction are conditional uses that the planning commission approves only on a parcel it finds appropriate for commercial use, weighing proximity to existing businesses, nearby residential parcels and road suitability. Matanuska-Susitna Borough Code § 17.60.170 also sets a one-space-per-350-square-foot parking standard and bans on-site consumption.
Marijuana retail facilities shall only be approved upon finding by the commission that the proposed facility is located on a parcel that is appropriate for commercial use. At a minimum, the commission shall consider: ... Proximity of the proposed use to existing businesses; ... Proximity to parcels developed for residential use; and ... Whether roads associated with the proposed use have been, or will be, appropriate for commercial use. ... The minimum number of parking spaces for retail facilities shall be one space per 350 square feet of net floor area. Each parking space shall be at least: 20 feet in length, ten feet wide, and have a vertical clearance of at least seven feet. ... On-site consumption of marijuana is prohibited.
Full Breakdown
60 treats marijuana retail facilities as conditional uses, so a store must clear the planning commission's conditional use review in the borough's zoning jurisdiction, the areas outside Wasilla, Palmer and Houston where the borough's own zoning applies. 170(A) requires the commission to find that the proposed site is a parcel appropriate for commercial use before approving a retail facility, and directs it to consider, at minimum, three factors: proximity of the use to existing businesses, proximity to parcels developed for residential use, and whether the roads serving the site have been, or will be, made appropriate for commercial traffic.
That is a discretionary, case-by-case siting test rather than a fixed zoning map of allowed districts. 170(C) requires those spaces to also meet current ADA accessibility guidelines. 170(D) flatly prohibits on-site consumption of marijuana at the retail facility, so approval covers sales only, not a consumption lounge. 150(A), including noise, odor and buffering review, on top of these retail-specific siting and parking standards. The code text supplied for this run does not contain a borough-wide local-option opt-out vote on marijuana establishments, so that status is not addressed here.
Violations & Fines
Violations of the retail siting and parking standards in § 17.60.170 are infractions under § 17.60.215(A), with remedies and penalties administered under Matanuska-Susitna Borough Code Chapter 1.45. Failure to correct a violation of a conditional use permit condition, such as the parking count or the on-site consumption ban, is itself a borough code violation under § 17.60.215(C), and the borough may revoke the permit after notice under § 17.60.215(D). Appeals of a permit grant, denial or enforcement action follow the procedure in MSB Chapter 15.39 per § 17.60.220.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can a marijuana retail store locate in Matanuska-Susitna Borough?
How much parking does a marijuana retail facility need in the borough?
Can customers consume marijuana at a Mat-Su Borough retail store?
Has Matanuska-Susitna Borough opted out of marijuana establishments?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Compare Matanuska-Susitna Borough to another location·View the Alaska cannabis regulations overview
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