Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area Landlord-Tenant Law
Alaska landlord guide — Prince of Wales Island (4th largest U.S. island), Craig & Klawock (fishing/timber hubs), Metlakatla (Alaska’s only Indian reservation, Tsimshian), Hyder (BC-accessible exclave), Tlingit & Haida homeland & AS 34.03.010–34.03.380
🌍 POW Island: 4th largest island in U.S. (2,577 sq mi) 💰 Median HH Income: ~$61,156 🍽️ Economy: Fishing, timber, subsistence
Landlord-Tenant Law in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area encompasses one of the most geographically and culturally complex corners of Southeast Alaska. Its centerpiece is Prince of Wales Island — at 2,577 square miles the fourth-largest island in the United States (after Hawaii, Kodiak, and Puerto Rico) — a vast temperate rainforest island laced with one of the most extensive road networks in rural Alaska, built largely to support 20th-century logging operations. The census area also includes Annette Island (home to Metlakatla and Alaska’s only federal Indian reservation) and the community of Hyder, an isolated exclave accessible primarily via road from Stewart, British Columbia, Canada. As of 2020 the census population was 5,753; by 2026 it is estimated at approximately 5,822.
The census area is part of Alaska’s Unorganized Borough and has no census-area-level government. Its largest communities are Craig (~1,050), Klawock (~900), and Metlakatla (~1,454 in 2020). The area is approximately 44% Alaska Native, predominantly Tlingit and Haida on Prince of Wales Island and Tsimshian at Metlakatla. Commercial fishing has been the economic foundation for generations, targeting all five Pacific salmon species, halibut, sablefish, Dungeness crab, and year-round dive fisheries. Timber harvesting dominated from the 1950s through the 1990s, when the Tongass National Forest reform and market shifts sharply curtailed logging operations. Today the economy is more diversified: fishing, fish processing, USFS employment, borough and tribal government, healthcare, and growing sportfishing tourism.
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 serving Prince of Wales Island, located in Klawock at 6738-B Klawock-Hollis Road, (907) 755-8801. No rent control exists anywhere in Alaska.
Extensive paved & unpaved road network connects Craig, Klawock, Thorne Bay, Coffman Cove, Naukati Bay — unusual for rural Alaska; ferry service (Inter-Island Ferry Authority) to Ketchikan via Hollis
Metlakatla Special Status
Alaska’s only Indian reservation; Annette Islands Reserve; Tsimshian people; opted out of ANCSA; not subject to state jurisdiction; AS 34.03 does not apply within the reservation
Hyder
Exclave accessible primarily via road from Stewart, BC, Canada; small community; unique cross-border character
Rent Control
None (outside Metlakatla reservation)
Landlord Rating
4/10 — Modest private rental market in Craig & Klawock for fishing/USFS/government workers; Metlakatla is a reservation with tribal housing; limited supply; 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 — First Judicial District
Court
First Judicial District — Prince of Wales (Klawock)
2 months’ rent (AS 34.03.070); waived if rent >$2,000/mo
Metlakatla Note
Annette Islands Reserve is not subject to state jurisdiction; consult tribal court for matters on the reservation
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area Local Ordinances & Landlord Rules
Local rules that apply alongside Alaska state law
Category
Details
No Census Area Government
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area is part of Alaska’s Unorganized Borough and has no census-area-level government. Individual communities have city governments (Craig, Klawock, Hydaburg, Thorne Bay, Coffman Cove, Kasaan, Whale Pass) and tribal governments. There is no area-wide landlord registration program. AS 34.03 governs all private residential tenancies outside the Metlakatla reservation.
Metlakatla Indian Reservation (Special Status)
The Annette Islands Reserve on Annette Island is the only federal Indian reservation in Alaska. When the Metlakatla Indian Community voted not to participate in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in the 1970s, they retained their reservation status and sovereign rights. The reservation is not subject to state of Alaska jurisdiction. AS 34.03 does not apply to residential tenancies on the reservation. Housing within the reservation is governed by tribal law and the Metlakatla Indian Community. Landlords with units on Annette Island should consult the Metlakatla Tribal Council directly regarding housing rules.
Rent Control
None. Alaska preempts local rent control statewide (outside the Metlakatla reservation, which operates under its own tribal authority). Month-to-month rent increases on Prince of Wales Island and elsewhere in the census area 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)).
Craig & Klawock: Hub Communities
Craig is the largest community on Prince of Wales Island, serving as the commercial and governmental hub. Klawock, 7 miles north, is the site of the state court and the Inter-Island Ferry Authority headquarters; it also has Klawock Airport, the island’s primary fixed-wing airfield. Both communities have modest private rental markets serving commercial fishermen, USFS employees, school district teachers, healthcare workers (SEARHC operates a clinic), and state/federal agency staff. The road network connecting Craig, Klawock, Hollis (ferry terminal), Thorne Bay, Coffman Cove, and smaller communities is extensive by rural Alaska standards, making Prince of Wales Island more accessible than most comparable communities.
Commercial Fishing Economy
Commercial fishing is the economic foundation of the census area. Trollers and seiners fish all five Pacific salmon species (king, sockeye, coho, pink, chum). Longliners target halibut and sablefish. Dungeness crab and shrimp seasons run year-round. Dive fisheries for geoducks, sea cucumbers, and sea urchins operate through winter. Craig, Klawock, Hydaburg, Port Protection, and Point Baker are all fishing-dependent communities. Fish processing facilities in Craig and Klawock employ significant seasonal workforces. The fishing economy is seasonal, with strongest demand from May through October.
Timber Legacy & USFS
Prince of Wales Island was the site of intensive Tongass National Forest logging from the 1950s through the 1990s. The extensive road network was largely built for timber access. When Tongass reform and market changes curtailed logging in the 1990s, the island lost significant employment. Today the USFS Craig and Thorne Bay ranger districts remain major employers. Timber activity continues at reduced levels through Viking Lumber and other operators. Some USFS and state DOT employees in Thorne Bay and Coffman Cove need private housing.
Hyder: The Cross-Border Exclave
Hyder, at the head of the Portland Canal on the Alaska-BC border, is one of the most unusual communities in the United States. It is accessible primarily via road from Stewart, British Columbia — no road connects it to the rest of Alaska. Many Hyder residents use Canadian dollars, shop in Stewart, and live in a de facto cross-border community. Despite its unique character, Hyder is legally in Alaska and AS 34.03 applies to private residential tenancies there. The community has only a few dozen residents and no real rental market.
Alaska FED Eviction Process
FED proceedings filed at First Judicial District Court, Prince of Wales, 6738-B Klawock-Hollis Road, Klawock, (907) 755-8801, Mon–Thu 8am–4:30pm, Fri 8am–noon. Enforcement by Craig Police Department or Alaska State Troopers. Self-help eviction strictly illegal (AS 34.03.210). Domestic violence affirmative defense (AS 34.03.300). Note: Metlakatla reservation matters fall under tribal jurisdiction, not AS 34.03.
AS 34.03.010–34.03.380 — applicable in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area (outside Metlakatla reservation)
⚡ 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.
Underground Landlord
🏙️ Communities in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area
*Metlakatla (Annette Islands Reserve) is Alaska’s only Indian reservation — state jurisdiction does not apply; tribal law governs housing matters.
📍 Prince of Wales-Hyder at a Glance
~5,822 pop (2026). POW Island (4th largest U.S. island, 2,577 sq mi). Craig (largest, ~1,050) + Klawock + Metlakatla (only AK reservation, Tsimshian) + Hydaburg (Haida) + Thorne Bay + Coffman Cove + Hyder (BC access only). Fishing + USFS + tribal government. Court: 1st JD, 6738-B Klawock-Hollis Rd, Klawock, (907) 755-8801. No rent control. No AK income tax.
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area
Screen Before You Sign
Best profiles in Craig/Klawock: SEARHC healthcare staff, USFS employees, school district teachers, state agency staff, year-round fish processors/management. For fishermen: vessel owners (stable) vs. crew (seasonal income — use fixed-term leases tied to season). Do not assume Metlakatla tenants fall under AS 34.03 — reservation housing governed by tribal authority. Run Alaska court records. Income at 3x rent.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska
Prince of Wales Island is one of Alaska’s best-kept secrets — a vast, forested island with an extensive road network, a rich multi-tribal Alaska Native heritage, active commercial fisheries, and a post-logging economy working toward diversification. At 2,577 square miles it is the fourth-largest island in the United States, roughly the size of Delaware plus Rhode Island combined. The census area also encompasses the unique Tsimshian community of Metlakatla on Annette Island (the only Indian reservation in Alaska) and the cross-border exclave of Hyder. The Alaska Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (AS 34.03.010 through AS 34.03.380) governs all residential tenancies in the census area except within the Metlakatla reservation.
Prince of Wales Island: Road-Connected Rural Alaska
What sets Prince of Wales Island apart from most of rural Alaska is its road network. Roads built for logging access now connect Craig, Klawock, Thorne Bay, Coffman Cove, Hollis (ferry terminal), Naukati Bay, and dozens of smaller communities and recreation areas across the island. This connectivity makes island life more practical — residents can drive between communities, access the ferry to Ketchikan, and reach services that would be inaccessible in most rural Alaska communities. For landlords, this means that rental units in Craig and Klawock serve the entire island’s professional workforce, not just local residents.
Craig and Klawock: The Rental Hubs
Craig is the island’s commercial center — the largest community, home to the Craig Tribal Association, grocery stores, fuel docks, fishing supply businesses, and the primary medical clinic. Klawock is the governmental hub, home to the state courthouse, the Inter-Island Ferry Authority headquarters, Klawock Airport, and the Klawock Cooperative Association. Private rental housing in both communities serves USFS employees from the Craig and Thorne Bay ranger districts, Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) healthcare staff, Kake school district teachers, state agency employees, and commercial fishing vessel owners and crew who need shore-side housing between openings.
Metlakatla: Alaska’s Only Reservation
Metlakatla on Annette Island deserves special attention for landlords because it operates outside normal Alaska state law. When the Tsimshian community was founded in 1887 by followers of Anglican missionary William Duncan who relocated from British Columbia, the U.S. Congress established the Annette Islands Reserve in 1891. When Alaska became a state and ANCSA was passed, Metlakatla uniquely voted to opt out, preserving their reservation status and sovereign rights. The Annette Islands Reserve is not subject to Alaska state jurisdiction — state courts do not apply and AS 34.03 does not govern housing on the reservation. Any residential tenancy within the reservation is governed by Metlakatla Indian Community tribal law.
Security Deposits, Notices, and Eviction
For private rentals outside the Metlakatla reservation: 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 First Judicial District Court, 6738-B Klawock-Hollis Road, Klawock, (907) 755-8801. Self-help eviction is illegal (AS 34.03.210).
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area landlord-tenant matters (outside Metlakatla reservation) 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. Craig PD / AK State Troopers enforce. Court: 1st JD Prince of Wales, 6738-B Klawock-Hollis Rd, Klawock AK 99925; (907) 755-8801; Mon–Thu 8am–4:30pm, Fri 8am–noon AKT. Metlakatla (Annette Islands Reserve): tribal jurisdiction, not state jurisdiction. No Alaska income tax. Last updated: May 2026.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska and is not legal advice. The Metlakatla Indian Community on the Annette Islands Reserve operates under tribal jurisdiction, not state law. Laws change frequently. Always verify current requirements with a licensed Alaska attorney before taking legal action. Last updated: May 2026.
