Haines Borough is a home-rule borough situated in northern Southeast Alaska on the shores of Lynn Canal, nestled between the Chilkat and Chilkoot Rivers at the head of one of North America’s deepest and most scenic fjords. The borough spans approximately 2,726 square miles and shares a border with British Columbia, Canada. A home-rule borough since 2002 (when the City of Haines and the former Haines Borough consolidated), it is one of the few Southeast Alaska communities connected to the continental road system — the Haines Highway runs north through Canada to connect with the Alaska Highway. The 2020 census population was 2,080, declining to an estimated 2,100 by 2025. Haines holds the distinction of having the oldest median age of any Alaska borough at 50.9 years, reflecting its demographic profile of established residents, retirees, and a community-oriented population that has largely settled in place.
The Haines economy is diverse relative to its small size: tourism (cruise ships brought approximately 79,000 passengers in 2023, and ~92,500 were projected for 2024), healthcare, construction, retail trade, seafood, and local government are the primary sectors. Haines is notably less dependent on federal employment than most Southeast Alaska communities — it has no large military installation or major federal agency presence. The Haines State Forest (286,200 acres) is one of the largest state forests in the nation. Haines is also an important transshipment point: its ice-free deep-water port on Lynn Canal and year-round highway access to Canada and the Lower 48 make it a logistics hub for interior communities. The Alaska Marine Highway System connects Haines to Juneau (approximately 4 hours by ferry), Skagway, and points south. Median household income is approximately $86,927.
All residential landlord-tenant matters are governed by the Alaska Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, AS 34.03.010 through AS 34.03.380. Eviction actions are filed in the First Judicial District Court in Haines, located at 219 Main Street. No rent control exists anywhere in Alaska.
Haines (~1,800) — community of Haines; Klukwan (Chilkat Tlingit village)
Other Communities
Klukwan, Lutak, Mosquito Lake, Mud Bay, Excursion Inlet, Covenant Life
Borough Population
~2,100 (2025 est.) — declining; home-rule borough since 2002
Median Age
50.9 years — oldest median age of any Alaska borough
Median HH Income
~$86,927
Principal Economy
Tourism (cruise ships ~79,000–92,500/yr); healthcare; construction; retail; seafood; local government; transshipment port
Road Access
Yes — Haines Highway north through Canada to AK Hwy; Alaska Marine Highway south to Juneau & Skagway
Sec. Deposit Cap
2 months’ rent (AS 34.03.070); waived if rent >$2,000/mo
Rent Control
None
Landlord Rating
4/10 — small but road-connected market with genuine year-round community demand; high homeownership rate (~72%) limits renter pool; older demographic; tourism seasonality; tight supply can support solid rents for well-maintained units
Haines Borough has not enacted borough-wide landlord licensing or mandatory rental registration. Haines Borough code enforcement is complaint-driven. Short-term rental operators should consult borough ordinances regarding the borough’s accommodation/bed tax requirements — Haines levies an accommodation tax that applies to short-term lodging including vacation rentals. Alaska has no state-level landlord licensing requirement.
Rent Control
None. Alaska preempts local rent control statewide. Haines Borough has no rent stabilization ordinance. Month-to-month rent increases require 30 days’ written notice before the rental due date (AS 34.03.060).
Security Deposit
Cap: 2 months’ rent (AS 34.03.070); cap waived for rentals exceeding $2,000/month. Additional pet deposit up to 1 month’s rent (non-service animals, accounted separately). Return within 14 days with proper tenant notice; 30 days if no notice or damages. Itemized deduction notice required. Willful failure to return: up to 2× wrongfully withheld amount (AS 34.03.070(d)).
Haines Rental Market
Haines is a small but road-connected Southeast Alaska community with a genuine year-round residential market. The high homeownership rate (~72%) means the renter pool is relatively limited, but those who do rent tend to be long-term community members, tradespeople, healthcare workers, teachers, and borough/state employees. The tourism sector creates some seasonal demand from hospitality workers (May–September cruise season), particularly as Haines has recovered well post-pandemic. Supply is tight relative to demand, and well-maintained units can command solid rents. The older demographic profile (median age 50.9) suggests a tenant base of established adults rather than young transient renters.
Cruise Tourism & Seasonal Economy
Haines hosted approximately 79,000 cruise passengers in 2023 and projected ~92,500 in 2024, representing significant seasonal economic activity from May through September. Tour operators, hospitality staff, and service workers need short-term housing during the cruise season. For seasonal rentals, use fixed-term leases aligned to the season. The cruise industry was devastated by the pandemic and has recovered gradually; 2023 was Haines’ best cruise year in over two decades.
Road Access & Strategic Location
Unlike most Southeast Alaska communities, Haines has year-round road access via the Haines Highway (north through the Yukon to the Alaska Highway at Haines Junction). This makes it a transshipment hub for fuel, freight, and goods moving between the port and interior communities. It also means the construction and trades sector has more activity than typical for its size — tradespeople and contractors are a reliable tenant population. The Alaska Marine Highway connects Haines to Skagway (about 1 hour by ferry) and Juneau (about 4 hours).
Alaska FED Eviction Process
FED proceedings filed at First Judicial District Court, 219 Main Street, Haines, (907) 766-2801. Enforcement by Alaska State Troopers and Haines Borough Police Department. Self-help eviction strictly illegal — no lockouts, utility shutoffs, or removal of belongings (AS 34.03.210). Domestic violence is an affirmative defense to eviction (AS 34.03.300).
AS 34.03.010–34.03.380 — applicable in Haines Borough
⚡ Quick Overview
7
Days Notice (Nonpayment)
10
Days Notice (Violation)
30-60
Avg Total Days
$150
Filing Fee (Approx)
💰 Nonpayment of Rent
Notice Type7-Day Notice to Pay or Quit
Notice Period7 days
Tenant Can Cure?Yes
Days to Hearing10-20 days
Days to Writ5-10 days
Total Estimated Timeline30-60 days
Total Estimated Cost$150-$500
⚠️ Watch Out
Tenant can cure by paying all rent owed plus late fees within the 7-day notice period. If tenant pays, landlord cannot proceed. Alaska has strong habitability defense protections.
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the District Court. Pay the filing fee (~$150).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Alaska eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Alaska attorney or local legal aid organization.
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⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Haines (main community, ~1,800) + Klukwan (Chilkat Tlingit) + Lutak + Excursion Inlet. Home-rule since 2002. Road + Alaska Marine Highway access. Oldest median age in AK (50.9). First Judicial District, 219 Main St, (907) 766-2801. Deposit cap 2 months. 7-day nonpayment; 30-day M-t-M. No rent control. No AK income tax.
Haines Borough
Screen Before You Sign
Best profiles: borough and state government employees, healthcare workers, school district staff, established tradespeople. High homeownership rate means renters are often those not yet ready to purchase or new to the community — verify stable employment. For cruise season hospitality workers: fixed-term leases only. References from local employers carry significant weight in a community this size. Run Alaska court records. Income at 3x rent.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Haines Borough, Alaska
Haines Borough occupies one of the most dramatic settings in Southeast Alaska, cradled between the Chilkat and Chilkoot Rivers where they meet Lynn Canal — one of the world’s longest and deepest fjords. Mountains exceeding 6,000 feet rise on every horizon. The Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, just north of town along the Chilkat River, hosts one of the world’s largest concentrations of bald eagles. Haines sits at a geographic crossroads rare in Southeast Alaska: it has both deep-water port access and a year-round road connection to the continental highway system via the Haines Highway through Canada. The Alaska Marine Highway links it to Juneau and Skagway. This combination makes Haines simultaneously a Southeast Alaska community and an interior highway community — a unique position that shapes both its economy and its rental market. The Alaska Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (AS 34.03.010 through AS 34.03.380) governs all residential tenancies.
An Established Community With a Mature Demographic
Haines Borough has the oldest median age of any Alaska borough at 50.9 years — well above the statewide median and reflective of a community that has stabilized around long-established residents, retirees, and people who have deliberately chosen to build their lives in this small Southeast Alaska town. The 2020 census counted 2,080 residents; population has declined from a peak of about 2,500 in 2010, following a decade-long statewide trend of rural Alaska population loss. The high homeownership rate of approximately 72% means the private rental market, while genuine, is relatively modest in scale. Most renters in Haines are established community members who have not yet purchased: tradespeople, teachers, healthcare workers, borough employees, and newer arrivals who are still putting down roots.
Tourism and the Cruise Season
Haines relies significantly on tourism, particularly cruise ship visitors who arrive on the Alaska Marine Highway or small-ship expedition vessels. Approximately 79,000 cruise passengers visited in 2023, and projections called for around 92,500 in 2024 — levels approaching pre-pandemic volumes. The cruise season runs from approximately May through September and brings hospitality workers, tour guides, and service staff who need short-term housing. Landlords accommodating seasonal workers should always use fixed-term leases with clear end dates aligned to the season. Haines is also a destination for outdoor recreation, particularly rafting the Chilkat River, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing — creating some demand for shorter-stay housing from recreationists and outdoor industry workers.
Transshipment and the Trades
Haines’ year-round road and port access makes it an important transshipment point — freight, fuel, and supplies move through Haines to interior communities via the Haines Highway. The port, construction sector, and trades are more active here than in comparable road-inaccessible Southeast Alaska communities. Tradespeople and construction workers are a reliable tenant population: typically stable income, predictable work schedules, and practical expectations for rental housing.
Security Deposits, Notices, and Eviction
Alaska caps security deposits at two months’ rent (AS 34.03.070), waived for rentals over $2,000 per month. Return within 14 days with proper notice, or 30 days if no notice or damages. For nonpayment: 7-Day Notice to Pay or Quit. Curable violations: 10-Day Notice to Cure or Quit. Repeat or non-curable: 5-Day Unconditional Notice. Intentional damage over $400: 24-Hour Notice. Month-to-month termination: 30-Day Written Notice. FED actions are filed at the First Judicial District Court, 219 Main Street, Haines, (907) 766-2801, open Monday through Thursday 8am–4:30pm and Friday until noon. Self-help eviction is illegal (AS 34.03.210).
Haines Borough landlord-tenant matters governed by AS 34.03.010–34.03.380. Nonpayment: 7-Day Notice to Pay or Quit. Lease violation (curable): 10-Day Notice to Cure or Quit. Repeat/non-curable: 5-Day Unconditional Notice to Quit. Intentional damage >$400: 24-Hour Notice. Month-to-month termination: 30-Day Written Notice. Security deposit cap: 2 months’ rent (waived >$2,000/mo); pet deposit up to 1 additional month. Return 14 days with notice; 30 days if no notice or damages. Willful withholding: up to 2× damages. No rent control. Self-help eviction illegal — up to 1.5× damages (AS 34.03.210). Domestic violence affirmative defense: AS 34.03.300. Alaska State Troopers / Haines Borough Police enforce. Court: First Judicial District, 219 Main St, Box 169, Haines AK 99827; (907) 766-2801; Mon–Thu 8am–4:30pm, Fri 8am–12pm AKT. No Alaska income tax. Last updated: May 2026.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in Haines Borough, Alaska and is not legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always verify current requirements with a licensed Alaska attorney before taking legal action. Last updated: May 2026.
