CABINETS
CHARMING 5 BEDROOM
Ask Cora
Hey Cora,
My house is practically hugging my neighbor’s house. I measured, and it’s only about 15 feet away. Is that even legal? Signed, Too Close for Comfort Dear Too Close, Ah, the classic “setback” conundrum! This is a common issue, and it’s all about the “setback” rules. In the Mat-Su Borough, side setbacks are 10 feet, front setbacks are 25 feet, and rear setbacks are 10 feet. In Anchorage, the side setbacks are usually 5 feet, your neighbor’s house could legally be as close as 10 feet away, while in the Mat-Su Borough, at least 20 feet is the magic number between houses. Setbacks are determined by the planning department of each municipality or borough, but cities and towns within those areas might have their own rules. For example, in the City of Wasilla, the side setback is 5 feet, but the borough says 10 feet. So, which one wins? The most restrictive rule, of course! City of Wasilla takes the crown in this case. Now, let’s dive into Mr. Comfort’s dilemma. He’s not within city limits and is in the Mat-Su Borough (MSB). If the neighboring house is truly only 15 feet away, someone is definitely in the setback zone. But who? Which house is the culprit? Could it be... both?
Mr. Comfort and his neighbor, let’s call him Mr. Rogers (because, you know, he’s the neighbor), have been neighbors for about 5 years. Mr. Rogers’ house was built in 1970, and Mr. Comfort’s house was built in 2005. Neither Mr. Comfort nor Mr. Rogers built their homes; they were already there when they bought them. When Mr. Comfort purchased his home, the seller provided an “as-built” survey from a local survey company. This survey shows where the house sits on the lot, along with the driveway, septic system, well, shed, and barn.
Experience Matters!
Mr. Rogers has lived in his home since 1979 and he also has an “as-built” survey, but it was drawn on a napkin from the Mug Shot Saloon. The two neighbors get together, look at the Mr. Comfort’s survey, and discover that Mr. Rogers’ house is built 5 feet into the side setback. Mr. Comfort’s house is right on that setback line, so he’s good. However, his shed is over the property line by 6 inches into Mr. Rogers’ property.
So, what does this mean? Does Mr. Rogers have to tear his house down? Move? Give his house to Mr. Comfort? Does Mr. Comfort have to give his shed to Mr. Rogers? Nope, none of those things. There are solutions, and we’ll break them down for you.
Because Mr. Rogers is such a good neighbor, Mr. Comfort doesn’t want to file a complaint with the Mat-Su Borough. But he does call the borough to see what can be done. Mr. Rogers can file for a variance. It’s not cheap (around $1,000 just to file), and it has to go through the planning board for approval. But since Mr. Rogers’ house was built so long ago, he could very well get a variance. This would allow him to have a letter of approval from the MSB recorded with his property, so he can sell it without issue when the time comes. It won’t change the distance between the two homes for Mr. Comfort, but it will make Mr. Rogers’ property legal.
As for Mr. Comfort’s shed, these are not usu-
ally on a permanent foundation, so it’s not counted as a “permanent” structure. Mr. Comfort and Mr. Rogers can agree to let the shed stay until either property is sold, then the shed would have to be moved. Or Mr. Comfort can move it now – since it’s not on a permanent foundation, it can just be set within Mr. Comfort’s property. It does not have to follow setback rules, because, again, it’s not on a permanent foundation.
Now, let’s change things up a bit. Let’s say both Mr. Comfort and Mr. Rogers are within the setback. Mr. Comfort is 6 feet from the property line, which means he’s 4 feet into the side setback, and Mr. Rogers is 9 feet from the property line, 1 foot into the side setback! Both are in violation! Both would have to apply for variances and pay separate fees.
In my conversations with the MSB, they really want to help resolve the problem. They don’t want to make it worse; they want to fix it for all parties. Is it practical to cut off 1 foot of Mr. Rogers’ home and 4 feet of Mr. Comfort’s home? Probably not, but it does go before the board, and they’ll come up with ideas to remedy the problem.
My advice? When purchasing a home, always ask to see the “as-built” survey. If there isn’t one, ask for a new one to be provided. This way, you’ll always know you’re in compliance.
So, there you have it. When it comes to setbacks, it’s all about knowing your boundaries – literally. Whether you’re dealing with a house that’s a little too cozy with its neighbor or a shed that’s playing a game of “peek-a-boo” over the property line, remember that there’s always a solution. And if all else fails, just remember: fences make good neighbors, but a good sense of humor makes even better ones!
Kids! Send in your coloring contest entry for a chance to win an 8” cake from Dairy Queen! One winner from each age group 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12 will be announced in the September 2025 Greatlander.
Name:
Parents - Please help your child legibly write their name. Use crayons, pencils or markers. Please NO GLITTER. Submissions must be received by August 22nd, 2025. Mail entries to: GreatLander, 3110 Spenard
Hana Laulainen Age 6
Rilla Benda
Noelle Hadley
