Anchorage, AK Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- AMC 21.07.080H.5
- Prohibited
- Debris, junk, or waste-material fences
- Exception
- Recycled material resembling new product
- Exception
- Director approval
- Applies to
- All lots, residential included
Summary
Anchorage prohibits building fences out of debris, junk, or waste materials anywhere in the municipality, residential yards included.
Prohibited materials. Fences made of debris, junk, or waste materials are prohibited, unless such materials have been recycled and reprocessed into building materials marketed to the general public and resembling new building materials, or unless approved by the director. (AO 2012-124(S), 2-26-2013; AO 2013-117, 12-3-2013; AO No. 2015-82, § 4, 7-28-2015; AO No. 2017-55, § 11, 4-11-2017; AO No. 2017-160, § 4, 12-19-2017; AO No. 2020-11, § 2, 2-25-2020; AO No. 2020-38, § 8, 5-28-2020; AO No. 2020-93, § 2, 10-1-2020; AO No. 2020-133, § 1, 1-14-2021; AO No. 2021-89(S), §§ 11, 21, 2-15-2022; AO No. 2023-103(S), § 6, 1-1-2024; AO No. 2024-24, § 5, 4-23-2024; AO No. 2025-64, § 7, 6-10-2025; AO No. 2025-125, § 1, 12-2-2025; AO No. 2025-131, § 2, 6-1-2026) § 21.07.090. Off-street parking and loading.
A. Purpose. This section ensures that parking facilities are designed to perform in a safe, efficient manner. It is also the intent of this section to attenuate the visual, environmental, and economic impacts of parking facilities, and encourage other modes of site access. Specific objectives of this section include to:
1. Support the safe and adequate flow of traffic, pedestrians, and service vehicles in adjoining streets;
2. Provide for safe and orderly circulation and parking in parking and loading facilities, and minimize conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles;
3.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 5010260; v11 updated 2026-09-01).
Full Breakdown
Municipal code section 21.07.080H.5 bars fences made of debris, junk, or waste materials. The only way around it: the material has been recycled and reprocessed into building products marketed to the public and resembling new building material, or the director signs off on an exception. This sits inside the same fences section (21.07.080H) that sets Anchorage's height limits, four feet in front setbacks in most residential districts, six feet in side/rear setbacks, eight feet max citywide unless a specific exception applies.
Violations & Fines
Code enforcement can order a noncompliant fence removed or rebuilt; junk/debris fencing is treated the same as other zoning-code violations under AMC Title 21 enforcement (Chapter 21.14).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a fence out of old pallets or scrap wood in Anchorage?
Is there any way to get an exception?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anchorage
Compare Anchorage to another location·View the Alaska fence regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.