Alaska landlord guide — Yakutat (Yaakwdáat, Tlingit & Eyak homeland, least populous borough in Alaska), Hubbard Glacier (N. America’s largest tidewater glacier), Situk River steelhead, Gulf of Alaska surfing, Wrangell-St. Elias NP & AS 34.03.010–34.03.380
🌞 Least Populous AK Borough: ~694 residents (2025 est.) 🎡 Hubbard Glacier: North America’s largest tidewater glacier 🍽️ Economy: Fishing, sport fishing lodges, ecotourism
Landlord-Tenant Law in Yakutat City and Borough, Alaska
Yakutat City and Borough is the least populous borough in Alaska and one of the most remote and scenically extraordinary communities in the United States. Located on the Gulf of Alaska coast approximately 200 miles northwest of Juneau and 185 miles southeast of Cordova, Yakutat sits where Southeast Alaska’s panhandle meets the broad curve of the Gulf, backed by the St. Elias Mountains — the highest coastal mountain range in the world — and flanked by the largest concentration of glaciers in North America outside of Greenland. The borough covers approximately 7,623 square miles of land — roughly six times the size of Rhode Island — yet is home to just 694 people as of 2025 estimates. The 2020 census counted 662 residents, making it Alaska’s least populous borough by that measure.
The Tlingit people of the Yaakwdáat (meaning “the place where canoes rest”) have inhabited this coast for thousands of years, blending with the earlier Eyak-speaking peoples of the region. European contact began with 18th-century Spanish, French, Russian, and English explorers; the Russian-American Company built a fort here in 1795 that was destroyed by Tlingit warriors in 1805. The community formally incorporated in 1948 and reorganized as a home-rule borough in 1992. Today Yakutat is home to the Yakutat Tlingit Tribe (YTT), which has received multiple federal grants for Tlingit language preservation — one of the most important active language revitalization efforts in Southeast Alaska.
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 Yakutat, 508 Max Italio Drive, (907) 784-3274. No rent control exists anywhere in Alaska.
Hubbard Glacier (N. America’s largest tidewater glacier); Situk River (world-class steelhead & salmon); Gulf of Alaska surfing (Yakutat has surf breaks on the open Gulf — rare in Alaska); Russell Fjord Wilderness; Wrangell-St. Elias NP border access; Icy Bay (kayaking)
Access
Alaska Airlines daily service; Alaska Marine Highway ferry (AMHS); no road connections to any other community
Rent Control
None
Landlord Rating
3/10 — Extremely small, extremely remote; limited private rental market; sport fishing lodge industry creates some seasonal demand; stable government/tribal employment; 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
2 months’ rent (AS 34.03.070); waived if rent >$2,000/mo
Eviction Enforcement
Yakutat Police Department / Alaska State Troopers
Yakutat City and Borough Local Ordinances & Landlord Rules
Local rules that apply alongside Alaska state law
Category
Details
Borough Government & Rental
Yakutat City and Borough is a unified home-rule borough incorporated in 1992. There is no mandatory landlord registration or rental licensing program. No local landlord-tenant ordinance supplements Alaska state law. AS 34.03 governs all private residential tenancies.
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)).
Fishing & Sport Lodge Economy
Yakutat’s economy revolves around fishing in multiple forms. Commercial fishermen target salmon, halibut, and sablefish from the Gulf of Alaska. The Situk River — just south of the community — is one of the world’s premier steelhead rivers, drawing fly-fishermen from across the globe. Sport fishing lodges (Leonard’s Landing Lodge, Yakutat Lodge, Glacier Bear Lodge, Monti Bay Lodge, and others) provide guided fishing packages that combine lodging with charters. These lodges are significant employers and economic drivers during the April–September season. The community’s position on the Gulf of Alaska — with deep reefs in Yakutat Bay producing unusually large halibut at shallower depths than most Southeast Alaska ports — makes it a premier halibut destination.
Hubbard Glacier & Ecotourism
Hubbard Glacier, approximately 30 miles northwest of Yakutat, is the largest tidewater glacier in North America and one of the few advancing glaciers in Alaska. It periodically surges forward to block the entrance to Russell Fjord — in 1986 and 2002, it temporarily formed “Russell Lake” before the ice dam broke. Hubbard is a major ecotourism draw, accessible by boat charter from Yakutat. Russell Fjord Wilderness (part of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve) borders Yakutat to the north. The borough also has access to Glacier Bay National Park to the south. Yakutat is one of the only communities in the world where you can surf genuine ocean swells from the Gulf of Alaska — the Yakutat surf break is known to core surfers and was featured in surf films decades before the community’s fishing reputation spread.
Tlingit Language & Yakutat Tlingit Tribe
The Yakutat Tlingit Tribe (YTT) is a federally recognized tribe and major community institution and employer. YTT has received multiple grants from the Administration for Native Americans for Tlingit language revitalization — using communicative approaches to second-language teaching to bring the Tlingit language back to younger generations. YTT operates cultural programs, social services, and tribal governance, and is among Yakutat’s largest employers. The borough also includes the Icy Bay community at the far western edge, accessible only by small aircraft.
Alaska FED Eviction Process
FED proceedings filed at First Judicial District Court, 508 Max Italio Drive, Yakutat, (907) 784-3274. Mon–Thu 8am–12pm & 1pm–4:30pm; Fri 8am–noon. Enforcement by Yakutat Police Department or Alaska State Troopers. 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 Yakutat City and 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.
Underground Landlord
🏙️ Yakutat City and Borough
On the Gulf of Alaska, gateway to Hubbard Glacier & the Situk River
~694 pop (2025); Alaska’s least populous borough. Tlingit Yaakwdáat & Eyak homeland. Hubbard Glacier (N. America’s largest tidewater glacier). Situk River steelhead & salmon. Gulf of Alaska surfing. Wrangell-St. Elias NP access. No road connections — air + AMHS ferry. 1st Judicial District, 508 Max Italio Dr, (907) 784-3274, Mon–Thu 8am–12pm & 1–4:30pm, Fri 8am–noon. Deposit cap 2 months. 7-day nonpayment. No rent control. No AK income tax.
Yakutat City and Borough
Screen Before You Sign
Yakutat’s private rental market is extremely small. Best profiles: Borough government employees, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe staff, SEARHC clinic staff, Alaska Airlines ground crew, AMHS employees, Yakutat School District teachers. Sport fishing lodge staff typically live in lodge accommodations during the season. The rental market is village-scale: know your community. Alaska court records check. Income at 3x rent.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Yakutat City and Borough, Alaska
Yakutat is one of the most dramatically situated communities in Alaska — a small Tlingit village on the Gulf of Alaska coast, backed by the world’s highest coastal mountain range and surrounded by the largest concentration of glaciers in North America outside Greenland. With approximately 694 residents and no road connection to any other community, Yakutat is among the most remote inhabited places in the United States. Yet it draws visitors from around the world: steelhead and salmon fishermen who make pilgrimages to the Situk River, surfers seeking the rare pleasure of genuine ocean waves on an Alaskan break, and glacier enthusiasts making boat trips to Hubbard Glacier — North America’s largest tidewater glacier. The Alaska Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (AS 34.03.010 through AS 34.03.380) governs all residential tenancies.
The Situk River: World-Class Steelhead Fishery
The Situk River, just south of Yakutat, is recognized by fly fishermen worldwide as one of the finest steelhead rivers on earth. Its short run from a lake to the sea creates a concentrated migration of wild steelhead in April–May and again in September–October. The river also supports runs of all five Pacific salmon species. Sport fishing lodges position their operations around Situk access, bringing hundreds of anglers to Yakutat each season. Guides, lodge staff, and fly-in anglers create significant seasonal economic activity. Lodge employees typically live in lodge accommodations during the season, but some year-round lodge management staff may rent privately in town.
Hubbard Glacier: An Advancing Wonder
Hubbard Glacier is one of the most dynamic tidewater glaciers in the world — and one of the rare ones that is advancing rather than retreating. It periodically surges forward far enough to block the entrance to Russell Fjord, temporarily creating “Russell Lake” before the ice dam gives way to the pressure of backed-up water. When the dam breaks, it creates one of the most spectacular natural events in Alaska. Boat charter operators from Yakutat take visitors to view Hubbard’s massive calving face up close. The Russell Fjord Wilderness, protected as part of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, borders Yakutat to the north.
Surfing at the Edge of Alaska
Yakutat holds a distinctive distinction almost unknown outside core surfing circles: it has genuine surf breaks on the open Gulf of Alaska. Ocean swells that travel unobstructed across thousands of miles of Pacific Ocean arrive at Yakutat’s beaches with enough power and consistency to support surfing. This makes Yakutat one of the northernmost functioning surf destinations in the world, and its breaks have appeared in surf films for decades. The cold water (—temperatures typically 45–52°F), frigid air, and remote logistics make it a niche pursuit, but dedicated surfers travel here specifically for the experience.
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 First Judicial District Court, 508 Max Italio Drive, Yakutat, (907) 784-3274. Self-help eviction is illegal (AS 34.03.210).
Yakutat 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. YPD / AK State Troopers enforce. Court: First Judicial District, 508 Max Italio Dr, Yakutat AK 99689; (907) 784-3274; Mon–Thu 8am–12pm & 1–4:30pm, Fri 8am–12pm AKT. No Alaska income tax. Last updated: May 2026.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in Yakutat City and 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.
