Alaska Stat. § 18.55. § 18.55.860
Ordinance to give corporation power to determine fitness of dwellings for habitation
Operative Text
(a) The ordinance adopted by a municipality under AS 18.55.480 — 18.55.960 (1) must provide that the corporation may determine that a dwelling is unfit for human habitation if it finds that conditions exist that (A) are dangerous or injurious to the health, comfort, safety, or morals of the occupant of the dwelling, the occupants of neighboring dwellings or other residents of the municipality; or (B) have a blighting influence on properties in the area; (2) may provide additional standards to guide the corporation in determining the fitness of a dwelling for human habitation. (b) The conditions sufficient to support a finding under (a)(1) of this section include the following, without limitation: (1) defects increasing the hazards of fire, accident, or other calamity; (2) lack of adequate ventilation, light, or sanitary facilities, or an adequate heating source; (3) dilapidation; (4) disrepair; (5) structural defects; (6) uncleanliness; (7) overcrowding; (8) inadequate ingress and egress; (9) inadequate drainage; or (10) a violation of health, fire, building, or zoning regulations, or any other laws or regulations, relating to the use of land and the use and occupancy of buildings and improvements.
Alaska Statute AS 18.55.860 establishes the framework under which a municipal corporation can officially declare a dwelling unfit for human habitation. A dwelling may be found unfit if conditions pose dangers to health, safety, comfort, or morals of occupants or neighbors, or if the property exerts a blighting influence on the surrounding area. The statute provides a non-exhaustive list of qualifying conditions—ranging from fire hazards and structural defects to overcrowding and violations of health or building codes—and allows municipalities to adopt additional standards beyond those listed.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under AS 18.55.860, a municipal corporation has broad authority to evaluate rental properties against a wide range of habitability criteria, including structural integrity, ventilation, sanitation, drainage, and compliance with health and building codes. Property owners and managers generally maintain records of routine inspections, promptly address repair needs, and ensure their properties meet all applicable local health, fire, and zoning regulations to avoid an unfit-for-habitation determination. Because the list of qualifying conditions in this section is explicitly non-exhaustive, operators typically stay informed of any additional standards their municipality has adopted under AS 18.55.480–18.55.960.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
AS 18.55.860 gives the relevant municipal corporation the authority to find a dwelling unfit for human habitation based on a broad set of conditions, including lack of adequate ventilation or sanitation, structural defects, overcrowding, and code violations. Tenants who believe their dwelling may meet one or more of these conditions can document the issues and contact their local municipal housing or code enforcement office to request an inspection or inquiry. Tenant-rights organizations in Alaska can also help residents understand what remedies or complaint processes may be available under the local ordinance adopted pursuant to AS 18.55.480–18.55.960.
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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