Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Ketchikan Gateway County, AK

Airbnb listings are allowed in Ketchikan Gateway County, AK, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals are listed as a permitted use with development standards in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough code; specific STR development standards in the code require one parking space per short-term rental and that signage comply with the zoning district. STR operation is subject to the borough’s administrative/zoning permit requirements (application with site plan, parking shown, compliance with water/sewer and building permits where applicable) and inspections/as-built documentation may be required per administrative permit rules. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rentals are listed as a permitted use with development standards in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough code; specific STR development standards in the code require one parking space per short-term rental and that signage comply with the zoning district. STR operation is subject to the borough’s administrative/zoning permit requirements (application with site plan, parking shown, compliance with water/sewer and building permits where applicable) and inspections/as-built documentation may be required per administrative permit rules.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Ketchikan Gateway County. 1) Submit a zoning land use/zoning permit application to the Borough Planning & Community Development department on the borough’s form including a detailed description of the proposed use and a to-scale site plan showing property lines, existing/proposed structures and parking; include any required water/sewer or building permit applications. 2) Borough zoning official reviews the application (decision within 30 days, may extend by 30 days), and required inspections/as-built surveys must be provided; pay any applicable fees set by borough resolution (fee amounts not stated on the cited pages).

1) Submit a zoning land use/zoning permit application to the Borough Planning & Community Development department on the borough’s form including a detailed description of the proposed use and a to-scale site plan showing property lines, existing/proposed structures and parking; include any required water/sewer or building permit applications. 2) Borough zoning official reviews the application (decision within 30 days, may extend by 30 days), and required inspections/as-built surveys must be provided; pay any applicable fees set by borough resolution (fee amounts not stated on the cited pages).

Vrbo is permitted in Ketchikan Gateway County, AK under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Ketchikan Gateway County are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Ketchikan Gateway County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.