FY2026-15 Short Term Rentals (STR) Definitions1
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KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
ORDINANCE NO. FY2026-15
A ORDINANCE OF THE KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH ASSEMBLY AMENDING VARIOUS
SECTIONS OF KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH CODE TITLE 17 ZONING, RELATED TO
SHORT-TERM RENTAL DEFINITIONS, ZONING, AND PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS
WHEREAS, as a second-class borough, the Kodiak Island Borough exercises planning,
platting, and land use regulations on an area -wide basis pursuant to AS Chapter 29.40; and
WHEREAS, the borough adopted, by ordinance, a comprehensive plan identified in KIBC
17.10.030, most recently amended by Ordinance FY2020-06 (the 2008 Comprehensive Plan);
and
WHEREAS, Title 17 of the Kodiak Island Borough Code of Ordinances (KIBC) is the land use
regulation for the borough; and
WHEREAS, KIBC Section 17.205.010 provides that "Whenever the public necessity,
convenience, general welfare or good zoning practice requires, the assembly may, by ordinance
and after report thereon by the commission and public hearing as required by law, amend,
supplement, modify, repeal or otherwise change these regulations and the boundaries of the
districts"; and
WHEREAS, Community Development Department staff working with the Planning & Zoning
Commission has been reviewing KIBC Title 17 definitions for short-term rental -related uses; and
WHEREAS, the Planning & Zoning Commission has determined that existing definitions within
KIBC Chapter 17.25 are insufficient to address existing short-term rental -related uses within the
borough; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendments to Title 17 address the shortcomings of the current
definitions, clarifying where these uses are permitted, and including all short-term rental uses in
current zoning compliance permit requirements; and
WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission directed staff to develop the code
amendment and bring the code amendment to a public hearing; and
WHEREAS, a 2008 comprehensive plan goal states "continue to update and improve the
effectiveness of Borough policies, plans, regulations, and procedures."; and
WHEREAS, the Assembly after reviewing the recommendation of the Commission and its
findings concurs that this amendment is in conformance with the 2008 comprehensive plan, is
consistent with best planning practices, and is a necessary amendment for the public welfare of
the community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KODIAK ISLAND
BOROUGH THAT:
Section 1: The Assembly finds that the amendments to the Kodiak Island borough Code set out
in this ordinance:
Ordinance No. FY2026-15
Page 1 of 7
51 a. The amendments supported by a public necessity to address deficiencies in Title
52 17 related to short-term rental -related definitions.
53 b. The amendments serve the general welfare of the community because they
54 address existing uses in the community that are not specifically addressed within
55 the zoning regulations.
56 c. Based on research of other jurisdictions in Alaska and the American Planning
57 Association, the amendments conform to best planning practices.
58 d. The amendments are in general conformance with the goals and objectives of the
59 2008 comprehensive plan.
60
61 Section 2: Title 17 Zoning of the Kodiak Island Borough Code of Ordinances is amended to read
62 as follows:
63
64 17.15.120 nerd and breakfasts, ledges, motels hotels and yaGatien herpes Short -Term
65 Rental Zoning Compliance.
66
67 Prior to the beginning a use of property for purposes of a bed and hrea fastshort-term rental
68 use—
, �6 , 1- etCY hotel, or ya^atieR hem^ a copy of the certificate of registration for the transient
69 accommodation tax (KIBC 3.55.080) or, if applicable, the certificate of exemption from that tax
70 (KIBC 3.55.060), must be submitted to the community development department as part of the
71 zoning compliance permit application. Upen reE .pt of the Gert+fiGate of registration ^r
72 A zoning
73 compliance permit must be approved prior to operating the short-term rental use. A zoning
74 compliance permit for a short-term rental use does not preclude the long-term rental of a
75 dwelling unit, questroom, or sleeping room. Rental of a questroom or sleeping room, and
76 not a full dwelling unit is regulated by the type of short-term rental use.
77
78 17.25.030 B definitions.
79
80 "Bed and breakfast (B&B)" means overnight accommodations and emay include a morning meal
81 in a dwelling unit provided to transieRtS for compensation. The operator of the B&B must resides
C�ZT"QIT...JT TTJ
82 on the premises and the maximum number of rooms that can be rented out is five. A B&B may
83 used as a short-term rental or a long-term rental. in additiGR to t#e1eff stFe + paFkiRg
84 requirementG P_f Kl_Rr__ 17.17F4.040 for a single family dwelling, a B&B with up to twe guest FOGMS
85 must pFevide one additiGnal parking spaGe;
86 twe additieRal paFkiRg spaGes; and a B&B with five guest reerns must prGyide thFee additiGRal
87 paFking span^c
88
89 "BeardiRghouse" means a building etheF than a hotel with not mere than five sleeping reerns
90 where ledging, with or without meals, is provided fE)F GOMPeRsatien for three or more persons, but
91 Ret eXGeed'ng
pp
92 guests.
93 ...
94 17.25.050 D definitions.
95 ...
96 "Dwelling unit" means a single residential unit with one or more rooms providing complete
97 independent living facilities and a ciRgle ki#^hen OR a dweuiRg ide6igReld as a UPA for occupancy
98 by not more than one family ror liviRg GF sleeping-pupposes and OR whiGh Ret mere than fie,^
99 perseRs aro ledged fer hire, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating,
100 cooking, and sanitation where accessed independently from any other dwelling unit.
101
Ordinance No. FY2026-15 Page 2 of 7
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17.25.080 G definitions.
"Guest room" means any room in a bed and breakfast, homestav, hotel, or lodge may,
beaFd+egheuse—pe,and bFeakfa-st ^r Indnlrnn house used and maintained to provide sleeping
accommodations for not more than two persons. Each 100 square feet or fraction thereof of floor
area used for sleeping purposes shall be considered to be a separate guest room in a large
common area sleeping arrangement. Hotel quest rooms are exempt from the two person
limit, but are subject to other applicable occupancy limits such as the building code.
17.25.090 H definitions.
"Homestay" means the rental of no more than 2 questrooms, but not exceeding 2 quests,
in an owner -occupied dwelling unit, while the owner is occupying the same dwelling unit
for the entire rental period. A homestav may be used as a short-term rental or a long-term
rental.
"Hostel" means a rental of sleeping rooms within a dwelling unit, not to exceed 5 sleeping
rooms. A hostel may be used as a short-term rental or a long-term rental.
"Hotel" means any building or group of buildings in which there are six or more guest rooms used,
designed, or intended to be used for the purpose of offering to the general public food, lodging,
or both, for compensation. This definition includes the term motel. A
hotel may be used as a short-term rental or a Iona -term rental.
17.25.130 L definitions.
"Lodge" means a building or group of buildings containing both rooms and dwelling units available
for ternperary rental to transient individuals or families. The types of activities supported by a
lodge may include, but are not limited to, fishing, hunting, wildlife photography and viewing, and
passive recreational activities. A lodge may be used as a short-term rental or a long-term
rental.
"Long-term rental" means a residential dwelling unit(s) or a short-term rental use that is
leased for compensation, to a single person or group (more than one person) for a period
of 30 consecutive days or more.
17.25.140 M definitions.
17.25.200 S definitions.
"Short-term rental (STIR)" means a residential dwelling unit(s) or part of a unit that is rented
for compensation, to a single person or group (more than one person) for a period of less
than 30 consecutive days. Short-term rental uses include: bed and breakfast, homestav,
hostel, hotel, lodge, single resident occupancy, vacation home, and vacation rental.
Ordinance No. FY2026-15
Page 3 of 7
152 Single Resident Occupancy. A "single resident occupancy" or "single room occupancy (SRO)" is
153 a housing type consisting of one room with or without cooking facilities and with private or shared
154 bathroom facilities. An "SRO" is also a commercial building similar in use and function to a hotel
155 or apartment building (e.g., multiple -family dwelling) composed of 11 or more studio apartments
156 or rooming units that are available for rent for periods of seven days or more. A single resident
157 occupancy may be used as a short-term rental or a long-term rental.
158
159 ...
160 "Sleeping rooms" means a room or space where provisions for sleeping accommodations
161 are provided for no more than three people, and may or may not include provisions for
162 sanitation. Each 100 square feet or fraction thereof of floor area used for sleeping purposes
163 shall be considered to be a separate sleeping room in a large common area sleeping
164 arrangement.
165 ...
166
167 17.25.230 V definitions.
168
169 "Vacation home" means a ^^e family dwelling unit located within either a one -family dwelling
170 or a two-family dwelling that is rented as a short-term rental^r leased on+iFety fer peFieds
171 RGt +G ovnoord 30 days in IeRgth.
172
173 "Vacation rental" means a dwelling unit located within a multiple -family dwelling that is
174 rented as a short-term rental.
175
176 17.50.020 Permitted principal uses and structures (C District).
177 ...
178 J. Bed and bFeakfastsHomestay, vacation home, and bed and breakfast;
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180 K. VaEa+ion�n herneT
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182 LK. Hoop houses;
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184 ML. Marijuana cultivation, limited; and
185
186 NM. Marijuana cultivation, standard (lots equal to or greater than five acres).
187
188 17.60.020 Permitted uses (RR2 District).
189 ...
190 H. Single-family dwellings;
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192 I. VaGatiGR homesHomestay, vacation home, and bed and breakfast; and
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194 Toed "�-and breakfi faa-`sr;
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196 KJ. Hoop houses; and
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198 LK. Assisted living homes.
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200 17.65.020 Permitted principal uses and structures (RR District).
201
202 A. Single-family dwellings;
Ordinance No. FY2026-15 Page 4 of 7
203
204
B.
V. Gati„r, heFnesHomestay, vacation home, and bed and breakfast;
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G.
Bed aR d hreakfastF ,
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208
OC.
Hoop houses;
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€D.
Agricultural buildings and activities; and
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€E.
Assisted living homes.
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17.70.020
Permitted uses (RR1 District).
215
...
216
H.
Home occupations;
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218
1.
VaGatinn h^mecHomestay, vacation home, and bed and breakfast;
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220
II
d.
Bed aR d breakfasts ,
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222
KJ.
Recreational cabins;
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224
LK.
Hoop houses;
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226
ML.
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) (attached); and
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228
NM.
Assisted living homes.
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230
17.75.020
Permitted uses (R1 District).
231
...
232
J.
Agricultural buildings and activities (lots equal to or greater than 40,000 square feet); and
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234
K.
Homestay; and
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236
ISL.
Assisted living homes.
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238
17.75.030
Conditional uses (R1 District).
239
...
240
B.
Schools;
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242
C.
Bed and breakfasts;
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244
D.
Vacation homes;
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...
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247
17.80.020
Permitted uses (R2 District).
248
...
249
M.
Homestay and Wacation homes;
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251
N.
Bed and Breakfasts;
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...
253
Ordinance No. FY2026-15 Page 5 of 7
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17.85.020 Permitted uses (R3 District).
C. Homestay and hostel;
O. Vacation homes and vacation rental;
P. Bed and breakfasts;
17.90.020 Permitted uses (B District).
S. MetelsHomestay, vacation home, vacation rental, hostel, and bed and breakfast;
17.95.020 Permitted principal uses and structures (RNC District).
C. Bed and breakfasts/me me Homestay;
M. Vacation homes;
N. Bed and breakfasts;
O. sHotels; and
17.100.020 Permitted principal uses and structures (UNC District).
A. BeardiRghouses, bBed and breakfasts, homestay, hostel, vacation home, and
vacation rental;
17.110.020 Permitted principal uses and structures (RB District).
B. Homestay, hostel, vacation home, vacation rental, bed and
breakfast, and hotels a„d metels;
17.175.040 Off-street parking — Number of spaces required.
Table 1.
Permitted Uses
Required Off -Street Parking Spaces
Bed and breakfasts
In addition to the off-street parking
requirements of KIBC 17.175.040 for a single-
family dwelling, up to 2 guest rooms must
provide 1 additional parking space; with 3 to 4
guest rooms must provide 2 additional parking
spaces; and a bed and breakfast with 5 guest
rooms must provide 3 additional parking
spaces
Meters er beardingheus Hostel
1 per guest reem er r+we!'inr, ni+sleeping
room
Ordinance No. FY2026-15
Page 6 of 7
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Effective Date: This ordinance takes effect upon adoption.
ADOPTED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
THIS FIFTH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2026
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
ATTEST:
ed Griffin, y
Nova M. Javier, MMC, Borq gh Clerk
Introduced by: Planning and Zoning Commission
First reading: 01/15/2026
Second reading/public hearing: 02/05/2026
VOTES:
Ayes: Ames, Gardner, Johnson, Roberts, Smiley, Whiteside, and Woods
Noes: None
Ordinance No. FY2026-15
Page 7 of 7
Homestay or vacation home
Same as a one-family dwelling or two-
family dwelling (Dependent on the number
of units within the building)
Vacation rental
Same as a multiple-family dwelling
(Dependent on the number of units within
the buildin
Effective Date: This ordinance takes effect upon adoption.
ADOPTED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
THIS FIFTH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2026
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
ATTEST:
ed Griffin, y
Nova M. Javier, MMC, Borq gh Clerk
Introduced by: Planning and Zoning Commission
First reading: 01/15/2026
Second reading/public hearing: 02/05/2026
VOTES:
Ayes: Ames, Gardner, Johnson, Roberts, Smiley, Whiteside, and Woods
Noes: None
Ordinance No. FY2026-15
Page 7 of 7