Anchorage Short Term Rental Regulation: A Guide For Airbnb Hosts

Starting a Short Term Rental Business in Anchorage

Starting a short term rental business in Anchorage requires obtaining a business license from the State of Alaska and may also require registration with the local municipality. Hosts should follow state guidelines as well as any specific requirements in their city, such as zoning compliance in Fairbanks or tax collection responsibilities in Juneau. Anchorage specifically requires a 12% room tax collection for stays under 30 days.

In Anchorage, short-term rentals are defined as units rented to any person for less than 30 consecutive days. This definition includes traditional home-sharing, where hosts rent out a portion of their primary residence, as well as entire home rentals, where hosts rent out an entire property that they do not occupy.

To start a short term rental business in Anchorage, hosts should first ensure that they are in compliance with local zoning laws and regulations. In Anchorage, short-term rentals are allowed in all residential zones, but hosts must obtain a conditional use permit if they are operating in a neighborhood with a homeowners association. Hosts should also ensure that they are in compliance with any local fire and safety codes, as well as any parking or noise regulations.

Once hosts have ensured compliance with local regulations, they can obtain a business license from the State of Alaska. Hosts may also need to register with the local municipality, depending on the specific requirements of their city.

In Anchorage, hosts are required to obtain a short-term rental license, which is renewable every two years and costs an annual fee of $400 per short-term rental unit. However, hosts can have up to $50 of that fee waived if the short-term rental unit is part of their primary residence or if they have rented it to an individual for a total of more than 180 days of the preceding 12 months.

Short Term Rental Licensing Requirement in Anchorage

As of May 1, 2024, anyone running a short-term rental in Anchorage will be required to have a city license, which will be renewable every two years and cost an annual fee of $400 per short-term rental unit. This licensing requirement is intended to ensure that short-term rental hosts are operating in compliance with local regulations and are providing safe and well-managed accommodations for guests.

To obtain a short-term rental license in Anchorage, hosts will need to provide proof of property liability insurance of at least $500,000 and a 24-hour contact for emergencies. Owners or property managers will also be required to ensure the unit meets city safety standards and complies with city code regarding parking, trash disposal, and noise levels.

Hosts should note that the licensing requirement applies to all short-term rental units, including traditional home-sharing and entire home rentals. Hosts who are operating without a license may be subject to fines and other penalties.

Required Documents for Anchorage Short Term Rentals

To obtain a short-term rental license in Anchorage, hosts will need to provide the following documents:

• Proof of property liability insurance of at least $500,000
• A 24-hour contact for emergencies
• Compliance with city safety standards and code regarding parking, trash disposal, and noise levels

Hosts should also ensure that they are in compliance with any local fire and safety codes, as well as any parking or noise regulations.

Anchorage Short Term Rental Taxes

In addition to the licensing fee, Anchorage short term rental hosts are required to collect and remit a 12% room tax for stays under 30 days. This tax is automatically collected and remitted by Airbnb on behalf of hosts, but hosts using other platforms are responsible for handling this tax themselves.

Hosts should ensure that they are in compliance with local tax laws and regulations, as failure to collect and remit taxes can result in fines and other penalties.

Anchorage-wide Short Term Rental Rules

Short-term rentals in Anchorage are defined as units rented to any person for less than 30 consecutive days. Sleeping areas for guests must be in a finished living space, and short-term rentals cannot be in commercial or industrial spaces or recreational vehicles. Owners are required to have a minimum property liability insurance of $500,000, which can be through a rental platform.

Short-term rentals in Anchorage are subject to the following rules:

• Hosts must obtain a short-term rental license, which is renewable every two years and costs an annual fee of $400 per short-term rental unit
• Hosts must provide proof of property liability insurance of at least $500,000 and a 24-hour contact for emergencies
• Hosts must ensure the unit meets city safety standards and complies with city code regarding parking, trash disposal, and noise levels
• Hosts must collect and remit a 12% room tax for stays under 30 days

Hosts should also ensure that they are in compliance with any local fire and safety codes, as well as any parking or noise regulations.

Does Anchorage Strictly Enforce STR Rules?

While there have been proposed changes to short-term rental laws in Anchorage, it is unclear whether these proposed changes have been implemented and how strictly they are enforced. However, Anchorage Assembly members have expressed concern about the impact of short-term rentals on the city's housing supply and have proposed regulations to gather data and better ensure the safety and management of short-term rentals.

Anchorage Assembly members have proposed regulations that would require hosts to provide data on the number of guests, the number of nights rented, and the rental income generated. This data would be used to better understand the impact of short-term rentals on the city's housing supply and to ensure that hosts are operating in compliance with local regulations.

Anchorage Assembly members have also proposed regulations that would require hosts to provide proof of property liability insurance and to ensure that the unit meets city safety standards and complies with city code regarding parking, trash disposal, and noise levels.

These regulations are intended to ensure that short-term rental units are safe and well-managed, and that hosts are operating in compliance with local regulations.

How to Start a Short Term Rental Business in Anchorage

To start a short term rental business in Anchorage, hosts should follow these steps:

• Obtain a business license from the State of Alaska.
• Register with the local municipality, if required.
• Ensure compliance with zoning laws and other local regulations.
• Obtain property liability insurance of at least $500,000.
• Apply for a short-term rental license from the city of Anchorage.
• Collect and remit the 12% room tax for stays under 30 days.
• Ensure compliance with local fire and safety codes, as well as any parking or noise regulations.
• Provide data on the number of guests, the number of nights rented, and the rental income generated, if required.

Who to Contact in Anchorage about Short Term Rental Regulations and Zoning

For more information about short term rental regulations and zoning in Anchorage, hosts can contact the Anchorage Planning and Zoning Department at (907) 343-8221 or planning@anchorageak.gov.

What Do Airbnb Hosts in Anchorage on Reddit and Bigger Pockets Think About Local Regulations?

Airbnb hosts in Anchorage have expressed mixed feelings about local regulations on forums like Bigger Pockets and Reddit. Some hosts have expressed frustration with the proposed regulations and the added costs and requirements, while others have expressed support for regulations that ensure the safety and management of short-term rentals.

On Bigger Pockets, one host expressed frustration with the proposed regulations, stating that they would add significant costs and make it difficult for hosts to operate their businesses. The host also expressed concern about the impact of the regulations on the city's housing supply, stating that they would make it more difficult for people to find affordable housing.

On Reddit, some hosts have expressed support for regulations that ensure the safety and management of short-term rentals. One host stated that they supported regulations that would require hosts to provide proof of property liability insurance and to ensure that the unit meets city safety standards and complies with city code regarding parking, trash disposal, and noise levels.

However, other hosts on Reddit have expressed concern about the impact of the regulations on the city's housing supply and the added costs and requirements for hosts. One host stated that they were worried about the impact of the regulations on their ability to operate their business and generate income.

Overall, Airbnb hosts in Anchorage on Reddit and Bigger Pockets have expressed mixed feelings about local regulations, with some expressing support for regulations that ensure the safety and management of short-term rentals, while others expressing concern about the impact of the regulations on the city's housing supply and the added costs and requirements for hosts.