Land for Sale in the Mat-Su Borough, AK

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough (Mat-Su) is the fastest-growing part of Alaska, north of Anchorage, with 107,081 residents (2020 census), up from 88,995 in 2010, and 25,258 square miles that run from Wasilla and Palmer to Talkeetna and Denali. Alaska has boroughs instead of counties. Many parcels are remote, and legal access, wetlands and missing utilities decide whether a lot is usable.

Matanuska-Susitna Borough at a glance

  • Borough seat: Palmer. Cities: Palmer, Wasilla and Houston; Big Lake, Talkeetna, Willow and Trapper Creek are census-designated places.
  • 2020 population 107,081, up from 88,995 in 2010; about 25,258 square miles including 650 square miles of water.
  • Part of the Anchorage metropolitan area; includes part of Denali National Park and Preserve.
  • Described as the fastest-growing subdivision in Alaska.
  • About half of residents (49.9%) live in urban areas and half in rural areas.

The Mat-Su land market

Growth follows Anchorage commuters. Wasilla, Palmer and Big Lake have homesites and small acreage close to jobs and roads, while Willow, Talkeetna and Trapper Creek are rural, recreation and off-grid markets, and the borough also holds many remote subdivisions. Prices drop quickly with distance from the road system, power and year-round access.

Legal access and remote subdivisions

Parcels sold by the state or borough often come with a reserved public access easement, but the buyer must check whether the route is usable and, if wanted, build, repair and maintain it, including permits and meeting construction standards for a public right-of-way. A listing that says "legal access" does not mean a maintained road. Read the plat, the access notes and any sale brochure for each parcel.

Zoning, wetlands and utilities

State-run subdivisions in the borough often have no zoning, but platting authority, local ordinances, setbacks, easements and assessments can still apply, so confirm them with the borough. Many parcels contain wetlands, and developing a wetland needs a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit. Some parcels are in fire management zones with burn-permit rules. Remote lots usually have no water, sewer, gas or power at the street, so you may need to extend lines at your own expense, drill a well and install a septic system. Some old subdivisions have abandoned improvements, and private sales are typically as-is.

Before you buy land in the Mat-Su Borough

  • The recorded access route, who maintains it and the cost to build or repair it.
  • Zoning status, borough ordinances, setbacks and assessments.
  • Wetlands, floodplain and fire-zone designations.
  • Well, septic and power extension quotes.
  • Winter access and distance to services.

How to verify legal access to landLand due diligence checklist

Frequently asked questions

Does Alaska have counties?

No. Alaska has boroughs. The Matanuska-Susitna Borough, with its seat in Palmer, is north of Anchorage.

Is there zoning on remote Mat-Su land?

Many state-run subdivisions have no zoning, but platting rules, borough ordinances, setbacks and assessments still apply. Confirm with the borough.

Do I need a permit to build on wetlands?

Developing a wetland requires an Army Corps of Engineers permit. Check the parcel for wetlands before you buy.

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