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Home My WebLink AboutOrdinance No. 3525-2026KENAI CITY OF KENAI ORDINANCE NO. 3525-2026 Sponsored by: Administration AN ORDINANCE AMENDING KENAI MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 14.20.320 - DEFINITIONS TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS REGARDING TENTS AND CAMPGROUNDS, AND AMENDING KENAI MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 14.22 - LAND USE TABLE. WHEREAS, the City of Kenai currently does not have a comprehensive policy regulating temporary dwelling units or "tent camping"; and, WHEREAS, Administration periodically receives complaints from residents regarding tent camping activities on a parcel in residential subdivisions, most commonly associated with dip netting activities; and, WHEREAS, upon review of Kenai Municipal Code, staff research compiled few references regarding tent/temporary dwelling unit camping within the City; and, WHEREAS, on October 1, 2025, the Kenai City Council directed the City of Kenai Planning and Zoning Commission to explore the issue of tent/temporary dwelling unit camping within the City; and, WHEREAS, the Planning & Zoning Commission held public Work Sessions on November 12, 2025, and January 28, 2026 exploring the issue of tent /temporary dwelling unit camping within the City; and, WHEREAS, it was recommended that Kenai Municipal Code be modified to include definitions and guidelines for tent camping on private property within the City; and, WHEREAS, the restrictions on tent camping on private property below are intended to allow casual use of tent camping on private property but prohibit uses that disturb traditional use of residential property within the City. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Amendment of Section 14.20.320 of Kenai Municipal Code: That Kenai Municipal Code, Section 14.20.320 — Definitions, paragraph b is hereby amended as follows: "Campground" refers to a parcel or tract of land under the control of a person in which sites are offered for the use of the public or members of an organization, either free of charge or for a fee, tent camping for three or more tents. Campground does not include recreational vehicle park. "Tent" means any temporary structure erected without a building permit for overnight sleeping. Section 2. Amendment of Section of Kenai Municipal Code: That Kenai Municipal Code, Section 14.22 — Land Use Table is hereby amended as follows: New Text Underlined; [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] Ordinance No. 3525-2026 Page 2 of 2 ZONING DISTRICTS LAND USES ALI C RR RR-1 RS RS-1 RS-2 RU CC CG IL IH ED R TSH LC CMU WW MISCELLANEOUS Campgrounds34 N C C N C I N N C C I C C C N I C I C N C C 34Does not apply to City -owned property. See KMC 18.35.010 — Overnight Camping. Section 3. Severability: That if any part or provision of this ordinance or application thereof to any person or circumstances is adjudged invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall be confined in its operation to the part, provision, or application directly involved in all controversy in which this judgment shall have been rendered, and shall not affect or impair the validity of the remainder of this title or application thereof to other persons or circumstances. The City Council hereby declares that it would have enacted the remainder of this ordinance even without such part, provision, or application. Section 4. Effective Date: That pursuant to KMC 1.15.070(f), this ordinance shall take effect 30 days after enactment. ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENA ATTEST: Michelle ner, ity Clerk Introduced: May 20, 2026 Enacted: June 3, 2026 Effective: July 3, 2026 New Text Underlined; [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] L I000, City of Kenai MEMORANDUM K E N 4 210 Fidalgo Ave, Kenai, AK 99611-7794 1907.283.75351 www.kenai.city TO: Mayor Knackstedt and Council Members THROUGH: Terry Eubank, City Manager FROM: Kevin Buettner, Planning Director DATE: May 11, 2026 SUBJECT: Ordinance No. 3525-2026 - Enacting Kenai Municipal Code Section 14.20.246 - Tent Camping on Private Property, Amending Kenai Municipal Code Section 14.20.320 - Definitions to Provide Definitions Regarding Tents and Campgrounds, Amending Kenai Municipal Code Section 13.10.060 - Sanitary Facilities for Camping on Private Property, and Amending Kenai Municipal Code Section 14.22 - Land Use Table. In summer 2025, the City received inquiries from residents regarding activities on a parcel located on Third Street. Reports indicated that tents, portable restrooms, and a dumpster had been placed on the property. The City has periodically received other complaints from residents in the VIP neighborhood regarding camping on private property associated with dipnet activity. On October 1, 2025, the Kenai City Council directed the Planning & Zoning Commission to explore the issue of tent camping within the City. The Planning & Zoning Commission then held public work sessions on November 12, 2025, and January 28, 2026 exploring the issue of tent camping within the City. Throughout these discussions, it was recommended that Kenai Municipal Code be modified to include definitions and guidelines for tent camping on private property within the City. The proposed ordinance documents proposes changes brought forward by members of the public and members of the Planning & Zoning Commission. Thank you for your consideration. C ov K I N A 1 City of Kenai 1 210 Fidalgo Ave, Kenai, AK 99611-7794 1907.283.7535 I wwwlenai.city MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Knackstedt and Council Members THROUGH: Terry Eubank, City Manager FROM: Kevin Buettner, Planning Director DATE: June 1, 2026 SUBJECT: Ordinance 3525-2026 Requested Amendments This memo requests an amendment to Ordinance 3525-2026. This amendment is to add a footnote specifying that the new land use classification of Campgrounds does not apply to City - owned property. Kenai Municipal Code 18.35.010 provides the City Manager the authority to authorize camping on City property. The following amendment is respectfully requested: Motion 1: Amend Ordinance 3525-2026, Section 4, by adding the following footnote to the Land Use Table classification of Campgrounds: 34Does not apply to City -owned property. See KMC 18.35.010 — Overnight Camping. ZONING DISTRICTS LAND USES ALI C RR RR-1 RS RS-1 RS-2 RU CC CG IL IH ED R TSH LC CMU WW MISCELLANEOUS Campgrounds34 N C C N C N N C C C C C N C C N C C Thank you for your consideration.