Planning and zoning in the City and Borough of Juneau is governed by Title 49 – Land Use. The rewrite of Title 49 is a special project funded by the Assembly in the FY25 budget and led by the Manager’s Office with strategic advice from the Ad Hoc Title 49 Advisory Committee. The project kicked off in August 2024 and is expected to take two to three years to complete.

For more information on the project check out the links below:

• Vision for Phase 1 & 2 of Title 49 – Land Use Code Rewrite – Memo to Assembly 10SEPT24
• Ad Hoc Title 49 Rewrite Advisory Committee Creation Document – Approved by Assembly 16SEPT24
• Title 49 Rewrite Project Introduction & Committee Kickoff – Presentation to Ad Hoc Title 49 Advisory Committee
• Phase 1 Wave 1 Text Amendments
  • The first wave of Title 49 text amendments were presented to the Committee of the Whole on January 27, 2025 and an ordinance introduced on February 3, 2025. The amendments were reviewed by the Planning Commission on February 25, 2025 and March 11, 2025. This wave of amendments (P1W1) includes the following topics: rules of construction (interpretation); amendments to approved permits; equivalent use determinations; determining major vs. minor developments; accessory dwelling units; caretaker units in industrial zones; and transition zone upzoning.
  • The P1W1 materials below were presented to the Committee of the Whole on January 27, 2025:
    • Presentation: Title 49 Rewrite Project Phase 1 Wave 1 Amendments
    • Backup Memos
    • Ordinance 2025-15: An Ordinance Amending the Title 49 Land Use Code Relating to Rules of Construction, Permits, Equivalent Use Determinations, Determination of Minor Versus Major Developments, Accessory Dwelling Units, Caretaker Units, and Transition Zones
  • Planning Commission Notice of Recommendation
  • Final P1W1 Ordinance (2025-15) adopted by the Assembly on April 7, 2025.
• Phase 1 Wave 2 Text Amendments
  • The second wave of Title 49 text amendments were introduced by the Assembly on September 22, 2025, presented to the Lands, Housing, & Economic Development Committee on September 29, 2025, and reviewed by the Planning Commission on November 18, 2025 during which the Planning Commission recommended the following amendments: (1) removal references to the Federal Fair Housing Act, except for the reference in the 49.15.170(a) Purpose; (2) replacement of “does not violate” with “conforms with” in regards to the Comprehensive Plan in 49.15.170(c)(6); and (3) replaces the proposed definitions of minor collectors and arterials in 49.35.210(a)(4) with an improved set of definitions which use an average annual daily traffic threshold between major and minor. The amendment was adopted with the Planning Commission’s recommendations as Ordinance 2025-40(b) on December 15, 2025.
  • P1W2 Memos 15DEC25
  • Final P1W2 Ordinance (2025-40(b)) adopted by the Assembly on December 15, 2025
• Future Meetings
  • The Ad Hoc Title 49 Advisory Committee meets as needed. Check the CBJ meeting calendar for upcoming meetings.

For questions or comments, contact:

Special Project Planning Manager
Rob Dumouchel
[email protected].