A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Juneau City and Borough, Alaska
Juneau is one of the most distinctive capital cities in the United States: a city of approximately 31,000 people reachable only by plane or ferry, sandwiched between glaciated mountains and the Gastineau Channel, with a geography so constrained that much of its vast 2,717-square-mile borough is effectively uninhabitable wilderness. Juneau has been Alaska’s capital since 1906, and the concentration of state government functions here — executive, legislative, and judicial — gives Juneau a stability and income base that no other Southeast Alaska community can match. For landlords, this makes Juneau Alaska’s second-strongest rental market after Anchorage. The Alaska Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (AS 34.03.010 through AS 34.03.380) governs all residential tenancies.
State Government: The Landlord’s Best Friend
Alaska state government accounts for roughly one-quarter of Juneau’s economy, and the ripple effects touch nearly every other sector. Permanent state employees — agency directors, administrators, attorneys, accountants, social workers, environmental scientists, and the clerical and technical staff supporting them — are Juneau’s most reliable long-term tenants. These are people who have committed to building their lives in Juneau; they have stable government incomes, solid credit histories, and no intention of leaving because a PCS order arrived or a fishing boat called. The Department of Fish & Game, Department of Revenue, Division of Elections, Office of Management & Budget, and dozens of other agencies employ hundreds of professionals who need quality, long-term rental housing.
The Alaska Legislature adds a distinctive seasonal dimension. The Legislature meets beginning in January for approximately 90–121 days — ending in May under a regular session, sometimes extending into June. Legislators from Fairbanks, Anchorage, Kenai, Ketchikan, and every other district in the state need Juneau housing during session. Many rent furnished units or rooms near the Capitol for the session period. This creates a reliable annual demand for furnished short-term rentals from January through May at premium prices. Permanent legislative agency staff (Legislative Affairs Agency, Legislative Research, Ombudsman’s office) need year-round leases.
Cruise Tourism and the Supply Crunch
Juneau hosts approximately 1.65 million cruise passengers per year — more than any other Alaska port, an extraordinary volume for a city of 31,000. From May through October, downtown Juneau and the waterfront are transformed by thousands of daily visitors. The tourism industry employs whale-watching naturalists, zip-line guides, glacier tour operators, kayak outfitters, retail staff, and hospitality workers — most of whom are seasonal and need housing from May through September. This seasonal demand competes directly with the year-round housing market. The proliferation of short-term vacation rentals on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO has converted some long-term rental stock to tourist accommodation, tightening the market further. Juneau’s topography — bounded by glaciers, mountains, and ocean — severely limits land available for new residential construction, making supply expansion structurally difficult.
Juneau’s Neighborhoods
The Mendenhall Valley, approximately 13 miles north of downtown along the Egan Expressway, is Juneau’s largest residential neighborhood and the preferred choice for families. Near the Mendenhall Glacier and River, it offers more space and lower housing costs than downtown. Lemon Creek and Auke Bay are other residential corridors. Downtown Juneau and the adjacent Gastineau neighborhood are walkable to the Capitol complex and preferred by state government workers who want minimal commuting. Douglas Island, connected by bridge, is a quieter residential community with views back toward downtown.
Security Deposits, Notices, and Eviction
Alaska caps security deposits at two months’ rent (AS 34.03.070), with the cap waived for rentals exceeding $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, Diamond Court Building, 123 Fourth Street, (907) 463-4700. Self-help eviction is illegal (AS 34.03.210).
Juneau City and 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. JPD / Alaska State Troopers enforce. Court: First Judicial District, Diamond Court Building, 123 Fourth St, Box 114100, Juneau AK 99811; (907) 463-4700; Mon–Thu 8am–4:30pm, Fri 8am–12pm AKT. No Alaska income tax. Last updated: May 2026.
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