Landlord-Tenant Law in Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska
Northwest Arctic Borough is Alaska’s second-largest borough by land area, encompassing approximately 40,749 square miles of northwestern Alaska — slightly larger than the state of Maine — along the Kotzebue Sound, Chukchi Sea, and the Noatak, Kobuk, Selawik, and Buckland Rivers. The borough was incorporated in 1986 and became a home-rule borough in 1987. With a 2020 census population of 7,793, the borough is home to approximately 7,134 residents as of 2026 estimates, approximately 85% of whom are Inūpiat Alaska Native — the largest concentration of Inūpiat people in the world. The borough seat is Kotzebue, a city of approximately 2,889 on a 3.5-mile-long spit at the entrance to Kotzebue Sound, which has been the hub of Arctic trade routes for thousands of years. The Inūpiaq name Qikiqtaġruk (“almost an island”) reflects the spit’s geography.
The Northwest Arctic Borough’s economy has been dominated for four decades by the Red Dog Mine, located approximately 75–90 miles north of Kotzebue. Red Dog is the world’s largest zinc and lead mine, owned by NANA Regional Corporation (the Inūpiat-owned Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act corporation for the region) and operated by Teck Resources Ltd. under a landmark 1982 joint operating agreement. The mine produces approximately 5% of global zinc supply and has generated enormous economic benefits for the region: Red Dog accounts for approximately 80–90% of the borough’s yearly revenue and more than one-quarter of the entire borough’s wage and salary payroll. However, Red Dog faces a deadline: Teck estimates only enough ore remains to sustain operations through approximately 2031, creating a significant fiscal and economic challenge for the borough. The borough’s leaders are urgently planning for a post-Red Dog future. Maniilaq Association — the regional tribal health and social services organization serving the borough’s 11 communities — is among the largest employers.
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 Second Judicial District Court in Kotzebue, 605 Third Avenue, (907) 442-3208. No rent control exists anywhere in Alaska.
~7,134 (2026 est.); 85% Inūpiat Alaska Native — largest Inūpiat concentration in world
Median Age
28.0 years — very young; 36% under 18
Median HH Income
~$45,976 (borough); Kotzebue ~$95,385
Principal Economy
Red Dog Mine (world’s largest zinc mine, ~80% of borough revenue; closing ~2031); borough government; NANA Regional Corporation; Maniilaq Association; NW Arctic Borough School District; subsistence
Access
No roads connecting borough to outside Alaska or villages to each other; all fly-in; Kotzebue: Alaska Airlines + charter service; seasonal barge
Rent Control
None
Landlord Rating
3/10 — Small private market in Kotzebue for mine workers, teachers, healthcare staff; villages have no private market; Red Dog closure ~2031 creates economic uncertainty; no rent control
⚖️ Eviction At-a-Glance (Alaska)
Nonpayment Notice
7-Day Notice to Pay or Quit (AS 34.03.220)
Lease Violation (curable)
10-Day Notice to Cure or Quit (AS 34.03.220)
Repeat / Non-curable
5-Day Unconditional Notice to Quit
Intentional Damage (>$400)
24-Hour Unconditional Notice to Quit
Month-to-Month Termination
30-Day Written Notice (AS 34.03.230)
Court Action
Forcible Entry & Detainer — Second Judicial District
2 months’ rent (AS 34.03.070); waived if rent >$2,000/mo
Eviction Enforcement
Kotzebue Police Dept / Alaska State Troopers / VPSOs
Northwest Arctic Borough Local Ordinances & Landlord Rules
Local rules that apply alongside Alaska state law
Category
Details
Borough Government & Rental
Northwest Arctic Borough is a home-rule borough with its own assembly and code. There is no borough-wide mandatory landlord registration or rental licensing program. Most housing in the borough’s 11 communities is provided through the borough, tribal housing authorities, or NANA Regional Corporation programs. The private rental market is concentrated almost entirely in Kotzebue, where Red Dog Mine workers (who rotate between Kotzebue and the mine site), teachers, healthcare workers, and government employees seek private accommodations. No local landlord-tenant ordinance supplements Alaska state law.
Rent Control
None. Alaska preempts local rent control statewide. 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. 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)).
Red Dog Mine & Economic Transition
Red Dog Mine, the world’s largest zinc and lead mine, has been the economic engine of the Northwest Arctic Borough since it opened in 1989. The mine produces approximately 5% of global zinc supply and employs nearly 1,000 people who are NANA shareholders or family members, in addition to Teck employees and contractors. The mine’s agreement with NANA preferentially hires NANA shareholders and shares profits with the corporation. However, Teck estimates the remaining ore will sustain operations only through approximately 2031. Tax-like payments from Red Dog account for approximately 80% of the borough’s annual budget. The approaching end of Red Dog operations represents a major economic and fiscal challenge; borough leaders are planning for a significant reduction in revenue and services. For landlords in Kotzebue, this creates uncertainty about future rental demand from mine-related workers.
Kotzebue Private Rental Market
Kotzebue has a genuine (if modest) private rental market. The Northwest Arctic Borough School District employs teachers across the borough, some of whom prefer private housing to district-provided accommodations. Maniilaq Association — the regional Inūpiat health and social services organization, headquartered in Kotzebue — employs physicians, nurses, behavioral health workers, and administrative staff. The NANA-owned Nullaġvik Hotel serves business travelers and mine workers. Government employees with the borough, state agencies (ADOT, ADEC, ADF&G), and federal agencies (NPS, BIA, NWS) add to the pool of potential private renters. The Kotzebue rental market is very small and supply-constrained; the few private rentals available command premium prices reflecting the extreme remoteness and high cost of goods and construction.
Village Housing
The ten communities outside Kotzebue — Ambler, Buckland, Deering, Kiana, Kivalina (facing coastal erosion and potential relocation), Kobuk, Noorvik, Selawik, Shungnak, and unincorporated Noatak — rely on tribal housing authorities for virtually all residential housing. Private rental markets do not exist in these communities. No roads connect any village to Kotzebue or to each other; travel is by small aircraft or, seasonally, by boat on river systems.
Alaska FED Eviction Process
FED proceedings filed at Second Judicial District Court, 605 Third Avenue, Kotzebue, (907) 442-3208. Mon–Thu 8am–12pm & 1pm–5pm; Fri 8am–noon. Enforcement by Kotzebue Police Department or Alaska State Troopers/VPSOs. Self-help eviction strictly illegal (AS 34.03.210). Domestic violence affirmative defense (AS 34.03.300).
AS 34.03.010–34.03.380 — applicable in Northwest Arctic 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.
Kotzebue (~2,889, hub) + Ambler + Buckland + Deering + Kiana + Kivalina + Kobuk + Noatak + Noorvik + Selawik + Shungnak. 85% Inūpiat. Red Dog Mine (~80% of borough revenue; closing ~2031). NANA Regional Corp + Maniilaq Association. 2nd Judicial District, 605 Third Ave, (907) 442-3208, Mon–Thu 8am–12pm & 1–5pm, Fri 8am–noon. No rent control. No AK income tax.
Northwest Arctic Borough
Screen Before You Sign
Private market is limited to Kotzebue. Best profiles: Maniilaq Association healthcare staff (stable year-round), NWAB School District teachers, borough government employees, state/federal agency staff. For Red Dog Mine contractors: obtain written confirmation of contract duration — mine closure ~2031 will end contractor housing demand. Distinguish mine rotation workers (on-site company housing) from mine-support employees based in Kotzebue. Run Alaska court records. Income at 3x rent.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska
Northwest Arctic Borough is the Inūpiat homeland of northwestern Alaska — a vast region of tundra, river deltas, mountains, and Arctic coastline that the Inūpiat people have occupied for at least 10,000 years. Kotzebue Sound was the hub of ancient Arctic trade routes long before European contact; today Kotzebue (the traditional Qikiqtaġruk) remains the regional hub for commerce, transportation, and government. The borough covers an area roughly the size of Maine, but has no roads connecting it to the rest of Alaska or connecting its 11 communities to each other. All travel is by small aircraft or, in summer, by boat on the river systems. The Alaska Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (AS 34.03.010 through AS 34.03.380) governs all residential tenancies.
Red Dog Mine: The Economic Engine and Its Expiration
Red Dog Mine, 75–90 miles north of Kotzebue on NANA Regional Corporation’s ancestral lands, opened in 1989 and quickly became the world’s largest zinc and lead mine. The mine produces roughly 5% of global zinc supply and has transformed the Northwest Arctic Borough’s fiscal situation: payments from Teck Resources account for approximately 80% of the borough’s annual budget. The mine employs nearly 1,000 people, most of them NANA shareholders preferentially hired under the NANA-Teck agreement, and accounts for more than a quarter of the entire borough’s wage and salary payroll. The NANA-Teck model has been celebrated as a success story for Alaska Native economic self-determination under ANCSA. However, Red Dog has an expiration: Teck estimates sufficient ore for operations only through approximately 2031. Borough leaders are urgently planning for the fiscal cliff this represents, contemplating service reductions, new revenue sources, and the possibility of expanded mining in adjacent NANA lands if exploration succeeds. For landlords in Kotzebue, this trajectory means increasing uncertainty about future rental demand from mine-related employment.
Kotzebue: The Hub Community
Kotzebue, on a 3.5-mile gravel spit at the entrance to Kotzebue Sound, is the only community in the borough with more than 750 residents. It serves as the regional hub for air transport (Alaska Airlines provides jet service to Anchorage and Fairbanks), barge service (during the three ice-free months), government services, healthcare, and commerce. Maniilaq Association, headquartered in Kotzebue, is one of the largest employers in the region, providing comprehensive tribal health services to all 11 borough communities as well as additional northwestern Alaska villages. The Northwest Arctic Borough School District, Kikiktagruk Inupiat Corporation (the village corporation for Kotzebue), and NANA’s Nullaġvik Hotel add to the employment base. Kotzebue has a small but real private rental market for the professionals who staff these institutions.
Kivalina: The Erosion Challenge
Kivalina, a small Inūpiat village on a low-lying barrier island approximately 120 miles north of Kotzebue, faces one of Alaska’s most acute climate-related challenges: the island is eroding at a rate that threatens the community’s long-term viability. Kivalina has been studied as a potential candidate for community relocation, a complex and expensive undertaking. This makes investment in private housing near Kivalina inadvisable.
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. Non-curable: 5-Day Unconditional Notice. Intentional damage over $400: 24-Hour Notice. Month-to-month termination: 30-Day Written Notice. FED actions filed at Second Judicial District Court, 605 Third Avenue, Kotzebue, (907) 442-3208. Self-help eviction is illegal (AS 34.03.210).
Northwest Arctic 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. KPD / AK State Troopers / VPSOs enforce. Court: Second Judicial District, 605 Third Ave, Box 317, Kotzebue AK 99752; (907) 442-3208; Mon–Thu 8am–12pm & 1–5pm, Fri 8am–noon AKT. No Alaska income tax. Last updated: May 2026.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in Northwest Arctic 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.
