Alaska Stat. § 18.55. § 18.55.930
Powers of a municipality to control use and occupancy of dwellings
Operative Text
A municipality may, by ordinance adopted by its governing body, (1) prescribe minimum standards for the use and occupancy of dwellings inside its boundaries; (2) prevent the use or occupancy of a dwelling that is injurious to the public health, safety, morals or welfare; and (3) prescribe punishment for the violation of the ordinance.
Alaska Statute AS 18.55 § 18.55.930 grants municipalities the authority to establish local housing standards through ordinance. A city or borough governing body may set minimum requirements for how dwellings are used and occupied, prohibit occupancy of dwellings deemed harmful to public health, safety, morals, or welfare, and define penalties for violations of those local rules. This provision functions as enabling legislation, meaning it authorizes local action rather than imposing a single statewide standard.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under AS 18.55 § 18.55.930, the specific minimum occupancy and use standards that apply to a rental property depend on the ordinances adopted by the municipality where the property is located. Compliant operators generally stay current with local housing codes enacted under this authority, ensure their properties meet any locally prescribed habitability and occupancy requirements, and understand that violations of such ordinances may carry locally defined penalties. Reviewing the governing body's adopted ordinances for the relevant jurisdiction is a standard part of responsible property management in Alaska.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
AS 18.55 § 18.55.930 is the state law that empowers your local municipality to set and enforce dwelling standards, so the specific protections available to you depend on what ordinances your city or borough has adopted under this authority. If a dwelling appears to be unsafe, unhealthy, or otherwise in violation of local occupancy standards, tenants may have the option of filing a complaint with the local municipal authority responsible for housing or code enforcement. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with local ordinances can help identify what standards apply and what complaint or defense options may be available in a given municipality.
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.
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