The borough assembly unanimously passed an ordinance March 24 that eliminates the need for residents to pay the state’s vehicle registration fee on older vehicles.

“This is actually something I stole from (state) representative (Jeremy) Bynum on pushing forward. They did this down in Ketchikan,” Borough Manager Mason Villarma said.

“Any non-commercial rig that’s eight years or more in age can seek a permanent registration. There’s a one-time fee to be paid,” he said.

“I think this would be a welcome change, and you should only have to get registration one time, and most vehicles in Wrangell are eight years or older anyway, so I think most people will be eligible.”

The assembly first reviewed the proposal during the Feb. 24 meeting. The ordinance allows owners of older non-commercial vehicles to opt into a provision of the state registration system that replaces the every-other-year $100 fee with a one-time $25 fee.

This change would introduce the lifetime “Z” tab affixed to license plates for Wrangell vehicle owners, a program that has been available in much of Alaska for over a decade but requires specific local approval to be implemented.

Mayor Patty Gilbert clarified that non-commercial trailers also qualify for the Z tab.

The state adopted the registration change in 2015, but it requires municipalities to adopt the change before it applies in their communities.

These registrations remain valid for the entire life of ownership, meaning the Z tab stays with the vehicle as long as the current owner keeps it. However, the registration automatically expires upon the transfer or assignment of the title to a new owner, requiring the next person to apply.

The purpose of the ordinance is to reduce the recurring administrative burden on vehicle owners and law enforcement. By moving toward a one-time system for older cars and trailers, the borough hopes to improve long-term registration compliance.

The move aligns Wrangell with the registration practices already adopted in other Alaska cities and boroughs, such as Ketchikan, which made the change on Jan. 1.