HousingAnchorage · June 22, 2026
anchorage wants more on your lot
Anchorage just introduced a plan that could let homeowners build duplexes, triplexes, even cottage courts on lots that only allow one home today.
Daily Alaska staff · June 22, 2026 · Anchorage
Anchorage Assembly Members Erin Baldwin Day and George Martinez have introduced AO 2026-85, a "missing middle" housing ordinance that would create an opt-in zoning overlay for the city. The overlay would allow duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, cottage courts and townhomes in targeted areas along Anchorage's main transportation corridors, the roads already served by bus lines and utilities.
For property owners along those corridors, the ordinance would change what they are allowed to build on their own land. Because it is an overlay rather than a citywide rezone, it only applies where a property owner chooses to participate.
The ordinance sets height limits to keep new construction in scale with existing neighborhoods. Buildings would be capped at 30 feet in R-1 residential zones and 40 feet in other zones.
The proposal is meant to add housing supply within the city's existing footprint rather than pushing development further out, and it lines up with Anchorage's existing tax incentives for new multifamily homes.
The Anchorage Assembly has scheduled a worksession on the ordinance for June 19, followed by public listening sessions on June 22 and June 27. A public hearing on AO 2026-85 is set for September 15.
In this story
Questions people ask
What can homeowners build on single lots under AO 2026-85?
Property owners along Anchorage transit corridors could build duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, cottage courts or townhomes if they opt in, instead of just one home per lot.
Does this change zoning for all of Anchorage?
No, it's opt-in, so only property owners who choose to use it would be affected.
How tall can buildings be?
Buildings can go up to 30 feet in R-1 zones and 40 feet in other zones.
When can residents weigh in on this plan?
The Assembly has a worksession June 19, listening sessions June 22 and June 27, and a public hearing September 15.
Evidence
Sources
Claims and where they come from
- Anchorage Assembly Members Erin Baldwin Day and George Martinez are sponsoring AO 2026-85, a missing middle housing ordinance. · muni.org
- The ordinance creates an opt-in overlay allowing duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, cottage courts and townhomes along key transportation corridors. · muni.org
- Height limits are set at 30 feet in R-1 zones and 40 feet in other zones. · muni.org
- The Assembly worksession is June 19, listening sessions are June 22 and June 27, and the public hearing is September 15. · muni.org
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