Short-Term Rental Investment Guide: Haines, Alaska

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Haines, AK?

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Haines, Alaska. The evidence confirms that Haines currently has an active short-term rental market with 54 documented short-term housing units as of June 2023. These properties range from purpose-built vacation rentals to converted long-term rentals and private homes, demonstrating that the borough permits and regulates this business model.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Haines?

Haines hosts earn a median $23,629/year with $243 ADR and 59% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $42,988+ per year.

See the full Haines market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Haines

Based on the available information, starting an STR business in Haines involves several key considerations:

Market Analysis and Property Selection

The current STR inventory shows diverse property types are successful:

Purpose-built vacation rentals (Chilkat Tower, Chilkoot Haven, Cozy Chilkat, Viking Cove, View at Oceanside)
Owner-occupied properties with rental portions (Blue Heron, Cozy Cove Cottage, Snappers Inn, The Aerie)
Converted long-term rentals (The Attic, The Cottage)
Private homes for guest accommodation (Alaska Guardhouse, Picture Point Seaside Flat)

Property Development Considerations

According to housing dialogue notes, there are accessory unit regulations for units under 600 square feet, though stakeholders noted these may be "too restrictive" and require more education about existing possibilities.

Market Positioning Strategy

The local market shows a preference for:

Properties with 1-2 bedrooms and under 1,500 square feet
Units close to town center
High-end accommodations (noted as "high end housing units, often closed in the winter")
Properties suitable for the seasonal tourism market

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Current Regulatory Environment

The documents indicate that Haines Borough is currently reviewing 12 permits encompassing both housing and commercial properties. The borough government has identified a need for more resources to effectively enforce existing regulations and is considering whether to expand building code enforcement and inspection services.

Specific STR Requirements

While the provided documents do not detail specific STR permit requirements, they indicate:

Permit review process exists through the Borough
Building codes and inspections are under consideration for enhanced enforcement
Zoning revisions are being discussed to utilize more land for housing and increase density
Accessory unit regulations exist for units under 600 sq ft (details not specified in provided content)

Business License Considerations

The documents suggest that sales tax collection is already established ("generating more sales tax for the borough"), indicating a business licensing framework exists, though specific STR licensing requirements are not detailed in the provided content.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Borough-Level Regulations

While comprehensive STR regulations are not detailed in the provided documents, several regulatory frameworks are referenced:

Housing Working Group Oversight: The borough has an established Housing Working Group identifying key locations for housing development.
Zoning Framework: The borough is reviewing zoning regulations to "utilize more land for housing or to increase density of housing on existing housing areas."
Accessory Dwelling Regulations: Exists for units under 600 square feet, though stakeholders view current requirements as restrictive.

County-Level Regulations

The documents focus primarily on borough-level governance rather than county-specific regulations, indicating that Haines operates under borough governance structure typical of Alaska municipalities.

State-Level Regulations (Alaska)

The documents reference Alaska Housing Finance Corporation involvement and discuss Alaska Housing Vouchers, though specific state-level STR regulations are not detailed in the provided content. Note that Southeast Alaska Independent Living (SAIL) has identified challenges with Alaska Housing Voucher availability for Haines residents.

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary Borough Contacts

Haines Borough Government

Annette Kreitzer - Borough Representative
Doug Olerud - Borough Representative
Diana Lapham - Borough Representative
Alekka Fullerton - Borough Representative
Richard Clement - Borough Representative

Housing Development and Planning Contacts

Haines Borough Housing Working Group

Identified as the primary body for housing development strategy and policy recommendations

Haines Economic Development Corporation (HEDC)

Cindy Zuluaga Jimenez - Contact for housing survey data and economic development initiatives
Conducted "HEDC Housing Survey Report 2022-2023" focusing on demographics, housing needs, and planned projects

Industry Professional Contact

Randa Szymanski - Reservations by Randa

Phone: 907-314-0466
Email: info@reservationsbyranda.com
Website: www.reservationsbyranda.com
Experience: Managing vacation rentals in Haines since 2014
Can provide practical insights on STR operations and market dynamics

Specialized Housing Contacts

Southeast Alaska Independent Living (SAIL)

Sierra Jimenez - Contact for accessibility housing needs and policy advocacy
Note: SAIL has been researching Alaska Housing Voucher availability issues

Chilkoot Indian Association

Harriet Brouillette - Contact for tribal housing partnerships and considerations

Additional Resources and Sources

Source Documents

Haines Comprehensive Plan Revision: Housing Dialogue Notes - Primary source for regulatory framework and stakeholder discussions

Planning and Development

HEDC Housing Survey Report 2022-2023 - Comprehensive housing market analysis (not directly linked but referenced)
Haines Borough Assembly Chambers - Venue for public meetings on housing policy

Investment Recommendations

Based on the provided documentation, STR investors should:

Engage with the Housing Working Group early in the development process to understand current policy priorities
Focus on high-quality accommodations to align with the existing market positioning
Consider seasonal operation strategies given the noted winter closure patterns
Monitor zoning revision efforts that may create new development opportunities
Partner with local management companies like Reservations by Randa for operational expertise

The regulatory framework appears supportive of STR development, though investors should expect continued evolution of regulations as the borough balances housing needs with tourism economic benefits.

Next step

Found a property in Haines?

Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.

Ask the AI Advisor about Haines

Haines is a small, scenic community of roughly 2,500 residents sitting on a narrow neck of land along the Lynn Canal in southeastern Alaska. It serves as the seat of the Haines Borough and is well known as a gateway to the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, one of the largest gatherings of bald eagles in the world, and as a stopover for travelers moving between the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system and the interior of the Yukon. The town carries a relaxed, outdoorsy character, with a working harbor, a compact historic core, and a backdrop of forested mountains and hanging glaciers. The nearest major city is Juneau, the state capital, which lies about 75 miles to the southeast across the Lynn Canal and is reached primarily by ferry or small aircraft rather than by road.

A few miles north of town, the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve protects a stretch of the Chilkat River flats that draws thousands of eagles each fall to feed on late-run salmon. Visitors typically reach the preserve in about 20 to 30 minutes by car, with roadside pullouts and short trails providing close viewing of the birds against the surrounding peaks. The preserve is widely considered the centerpiece of the local fall and winter tourism season and gives the area a distinctive seasonal rhythm that is well suited to short-term rental demand.

In the heart of Haines, Fort Seward is a former U.S. Army coastal defense post established in 1904 and converted over the decades into a mix of residences, galleries, and small businesses. Its wide parade ground, historic timber officers' quarters, and waterfront setting make it an easy, walkable stop from the harbor and downtown. The same area anchors the Klondike Gold Rush story in Haines, since the fort was built to maintain order during the gold rush era and today is interpreted as part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, which has a visitor center and trails right in town.

A short drive southwest of Haines, Chilkoot Lake sits within the Chilkoot Lake State Recreation Site, about 11 miles from the ferry terminal. The area offers salmon fishing, kayak launches, and a quiet road that parallels the Chilkoot River toward the Taiya Inlet. It is a popular summer destination for visitors who want a low-key, half-day outing and is a common feature on day-trip itineraries out of Haines.

Haines is a compelling base for short-term rentals because it combines a small-town Alaskan feel with unusually rich natural and historic assets. The community sits along the Inside Passage cruise and ferry route, borders one of the continent's most dramatic eagle-viewing areas, and provides easy road access to glaciers, rivers, and mountain scenery that are harder to reach from larger Alaskan ports, giving property owners a market that is shaped by both summer travelers and a distinctive fall and winter eagle-focused season.

Haines, Alaska

Generally Investor Friendly

STR Regulations for Haines, Alaska