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Big Lake

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Big Lake, AK

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STR Regulations for Big Lake, Alaska

Overview: Are STRs allowed in Big Lake, AK?

  • Short-term rentals are permitted in Big Lake. Big Lake is located within the Matanuska-Susitna (MAT‑SU) Borough, which governs local short-term rental rules.
  • Per MAT‑SU guidance (summary from gosummer.com): all STR owners must register their property with the borough and obtain a permit. Hosts must collect a 5% bed (lodging) tax from guests and remit it quarterly.
  • State-level note: Operating any rental business that collects income in Alaska requires an Alaska Business License.
  • Market note (AirROI): Big Lake is classified as a low-regulation STR market. Still, you must comply with borough registration and the borough lodging tax.

How to start a short-term rental business in Big Lake

  • Confirm zoning and operational allowances
    • Determine the zoning of your property (residential, commercial, mixed-use, etc.) within MAT‑SU.
    • Residential zones in MAT‑SU may limit guest counts, vehicles, and parking; review borough zoning and nuisance provisions before listing.
  • Register with the borough
    • Register your STR with Matanuska‑Susitna Borough and obtain any required short‑term rental permit. This applies to properties located in Big Lake and the broader borough.
    • Expect to provide property details, owner contact information, and perhaps a local contact for guest issues.
  • Obtain state business authorization
    • Apply for an Alaska Business License from the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED), Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (CBPL).
    • If using an entity (LLC, corporation, etc.), register it with the Alaska Division of Corporations first; then obtain the Alaska Business License.
  • Set up tax collection and remittance
    • Charge guests the MAT‑SU 5% lodging (bed) tax.
    • Remit the tax to the borough on a quarterly basis as specified by the borough.
  • Prepare the property and listing
    • Ensure safety and habitability, including smoke/CO detectors, adequate parking, and measures to comply with local noise/nuisance standards.
    • Structure your listing to align with borough rules (e.g., maximum occupancy, parking restrictions, quiet hours).
  • Compliance maintenance
    • Renew the borough registration/permit on schedule.
    • Maintain records of taxable lodging revenue and quarterly remittances.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

  • MAT‑SU Borough
    • STR registration and permit.
    • Compliance with borough zoning, noise, nuisance, and parking rules (residential zones may restrict guest/vehicle counts).
    • Collection and quarterly remittance of the 5% lodging (bed) tax.
  • State of Alaska
    • Alaska Business License (via DCCED/CBPL). Required if you collect rental income.
    • If operating under an entity, registration with the Alaska Division of Corporations precedes business licensing.
  • Other considerations (verify locally)
    • Sales tax registration (if applicable to your business operations beyond lodging).
    • Local safety standards (e.g., smoke/CO alarms, egress).
    • Fire or building inspections may be applicable depending on the borough’s local rules.

Specific regulations for STRs (Big Lake/MAT‑SU Borough and State of Alaska)

  • Matanuska‑Susitna Borough
    • Registration/permit: All STR owners must register their property and obtain a borough permit.
    • Lodging tax: Hosts must collect 5% from guests and remit quarterly.
    • Residential zone limits: Properties in residential zones may face restrictions on guest counts and vehicles; ensure adherence to local limits.
    • Noise and nuisance: MAT‑SU noise and nuisance regulations apply; hosts should implement quiet hours and guest policies to maintain peaceful coexistence.
    • Signage/parking: Follow borough standards for signage and parking; do not exceed allowed vehicles per residential parcel where applicable.
  • State of Alaska
    • Business license: Required to engage in business activity and collect rental income.
    • Multi‑line business: A single business license can cover multiple lines of business (e.g., property management plus lodging).
    • Compliance scope: The state notes that other agencies (local, state, federal) may impose additional requirements; hosts must verify and comply with all applicable rules.
    • Landlord‑tenant law: AS 34.03 (Alaska Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) is available as a reference; however, most STRs are transient lodging rather than long‑term leases.

Contact information for local and state authorities

Links to source pages

Important notes

  • Verify borough registration procedures, forms, and renewal timelines directly with Matanuska‑Susitna Borough before listing.
  • Confirm any local zoning, parking, or inspection requirements applicable to your specific property.
  • The market data (e.g., seasonality, performance metrics) informs investment strategy but does not substitute for legal or tax compliance.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Big Lake?

Big Lake hosts earn a median $23,495/year with $207 ADR and 47% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $34,898+ per year.

See the full Big Lake market breakdown

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Big Lake

Market Saturation Score

036912
Mild Saturation
4/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
2–4 declining months: early saturation pressure - watch for trend persistence.
View Full Big Lake Market Analysis

Photos of Big Lake

Overview of Big Lake

Big Lake is a small census-designated place in Alaska's Matanuska-Susitna Borough, home to roughly 3,000 residents who enjoy a relaxed, outdoorsy lifestyle surrounded by boreal forest, wetlands, and freshwater. The community sits in the heart of the Mat-Su Valley, about 60 miles north of Anchorage, the nearest major city, with the drive typically taking around an hour and a quarter in good conditions. The town takes its name from the sizeable lake at its doorstep, and its identity is tied closely to the water: in summer, residents and visitors fish for trout and salmon, launch boats from several public access points, and watch floatplanes come and go at the Big Lake state seaplane base, one of the busiest seaplane facilities in the state. Big Lake functions as a quiet, year-round base for travelers who want to experience interior Alaska's rivers, mountains, and wildlife without committing to a remote fly-in lodge.

Just to the south, the community of Wasilla lies about 20 miles away and serves as the commercial hub of the Mat-Su Valley. It is widely known as the headquarters of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, the famous 1,000-mile sled dog race from Anchorage to Nome, and visitors can stop at the race offices and museum to learn about the event's history and meet sled dogs. The drive from Big Lake to Wasilla is roughly 25 to 30 minutes along the Parks Highway, making it an easy day trip for supplies, dining, or cultural sightseeing.

To the northeast of Big Lake, Hatcher Pass offers a striking change of scenery, with alpine tundra, hiking trails, and the historic Independence Mine State Historical Park set in the Talkeetna Mountains. The drive is approximately 60 to 75 minutes depending on route and season, and the area is popular in summer for hiking and in winter for skiing and snowmachining.

Further east, Matanuska Glacier is one of Alaska's most accessible roadside glaciers, where visitors can take guided hikes onto the ice through a maze of crevasses and moulins. The drive from Big Lake is roughly 90 minutes, and a stop here pairs naturally with a loop through the Mat-Su Valley's other attractions.

Big Lake appeals to short-term-rental investors because it offers a genuine Alaskan experience — lakeside cabins, floatplane views, and dark northern skies in winter — within easy reach of the state's largest city. The combination of low-key local character, the recreational draw of the lake itself, and proximity to marquee destinations like Hatcher Pass and Matanuska Glacier gives the community a steady stream of summer road-trippers, anglers, and adventure travelers looking for a quieter home base than Anchorage or the Kenai Peninsula.

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