Alaska Stat. § 18.55. § 18.55.760
Ordinances relating to unfit dwellings
Operative Text
Upon the adoption of an ordinance finding that dwelling conditions of the character described in AS 18.55.750 exist in a municipality, its governing body may adopt an ordinance relating to dwellings that are unfit for human habitation.
Alaska Statute AS 18.55.760 establishes a two-step process by which a municipality may address substandard housing: first, the governing body must adopt an ordinance finding that the problematic dwelling conditions described in AS 18.55.750 actually exist within the municipality, and only then may it adopt a separate ordinance specifically targeting dwellings deemed unfit for human habitation. This provision grants local governments the legal authority to act on housing conditions but does not itself mandate any particular remediation standard or procedure. The scope and content of any resulting local ordinance are left to the discretion of the municipal governing body.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under AS 18.55.760, once a municipality has formally adopted the prerequisite finding ordinance, it gains authority to enact local rules governing dwellings unfit for human habitation. Property owners and managers operating in Alaska municipalities should be aware that their local governing body may have exercised this authority, meaning locally adopted ordinances could impose specific maintenance, inspection, or remediation obligations beyond state baseline requirements. Compliant operators generally monitor their municipality's ordinance record and ensure their properties meet any locally enacted habitability standards triggered by this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
AS 18.55.760 empowers Alaska municipalities to adopt ordinances addressing dwellings unfit for human habitation, which can create enforceable local rights for residents living in substandard conditions. Tenants who believe their dwelling falls below habitability standards may want to check whether their municipality has adopted an ordinance under this provision, as such a local ordinance could provide additional protections or complaint mechanisms beyond state law. Tenant-rights organizations and local municipal offices can be useful starting points for understanding what local ordinances, if any, have been enacted pursuant to AS 18.55.760.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 28, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation