Frequently Asked Questions

The Borough requires that any keeper of an animal has to prevent the animal from disturbing a neighborhood or any number of persons by frequent or prolonged noise, barking, howling or other noises.

To report violations please call Animal Protection: 907-228-6660.  After Hours: 907-204-0502

Borough Code of Ordinance 6.40.010 The assembly hereby finds, determines and declares that the following animals are detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare and to the inhabitants of the borough and hereby finds, determines and declares each such animal to be a public nuisance. Each such animal may be taken into custody, impounded, held or disposed of as provided in this title or as otherwise provided by law. Such animals shall include any animal that:

(g) Creates a disturbance to the peace and privacy of other persons through excessive noise. For purposes of this section, the term “excessive noise” shall mean noise which is unreasonably annoying, disturbing, offensive, or which unreasonably interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property of one or more persons occupying property in the community or neighborhood, within reasonable proximity to the property where the animal or animals are kept. Factors that the department may use to determine whether the noise is excessive may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following:

• Make sure your pets are wearing a form of identification (dogs should be wearing their borough dog license).
• Leave a copy of your pets' vaccination records with your pet sitter or family member.
• Ask your pet sitter or family member to always walk your dog on a leash.
• Remind your pet sitter or family member to call the Animal Shelter if your pet is missing or if they bite someone.
• Before leaving town, contact the Animal Shelter and leave your sitter's and pet’s information with the staff, so that if your pet is brought into the shelter or impounded, they can easily be identified and your pet sitter or family member notified. You can also download our Pet Sitter Form online.
  
  Be aware that some pets can become depressed or confused when you leave and may run away or become lost when trying to find you.
  
  Licensing your pet and having your pet sitter walk your dogs on a leash can help ensure that they are safe and sound when you return home.

If the animal belongs to you:

1. Seek medical care if needed.
2. Call the Animal Shelter and report when you were bitten and which animal bit you.
3. By state law, the animal will need to be quarantined to observe for signs of rabies for ten days.

If the dog, cat or ferret belongs to someone else:

1. Seek medical care if needed.
2. If possible, get the owner's name, phone number, and address, as well as the animal's name and description.
3. Call the Animal Shelter and report when you were bitten and (if known) the owner's and animal's information.

It is important to report bites as soon as possible. Instructions for reporting emergencies (including all bites) after hours are available on the shelter's voice mail.

1. Call the Animal Shelter and report when the bite occurred, which animal did the biting, and who was bitten. All animal bites are required by law to be reported to Animal Protection.
2. By state law, the animal will need to be quarantined to observe for signs of rabies.
   
   It is important to report bites as soon as possible. Instructions for reporting emergencies (including all bites) after hours are available on the shelter's voicemail.

"Restraint" means under the immediate and constant physical control of a responsible person by leash or under the immediate and constant verbal control of a responsible person and obedient to that person's commands, or on the premises of the owner or responsible person.

This definition; along with other information on animal regulations in the Borough, can be found in Title 6 of the Borough Code. This code is linked on the left hand side of the screen on the Animal Protection Department section of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough web page.

The areas in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough that require residents and visitors to leash their dog(s) can be found on the Animal Protection Department section of the Borough website. The information is listed in Title 6 of the Borough Code. This link can be found on the front page of the Animal Protection section on the left hand side of the page.

Senior Citizens 65 years of age or older and Disabled Veterans with a 50% or more disability may qualify for a property tax exemption up to $150,000 of assessed value. Non-profit exemptions on property used exclusively for religious, charitable, cemetery, hospital, educational, or community purpose as defined by State Statute and Borough Code.

1. Obtain an appeal form from the borough assessor
2. Complete the form and attach all documents to substantiate the claim
3. Return to the assessor no later than 30 days from the mailing date of your assessment notice, failure to do so will eliminate your right to appeal.

1. Register to vote no later than 30 days prior to the Regular election. 2. Decide how you want to vote: in person, by fax, or by mail. 3. Get educated! Pick up sample ballots as early as 15 days prior to the election from the Clerk’s Office.

Yes. Voters may apply for absentee ballots at the Clerk's office as early as January 1, as follows: A by-mail ballot as early as January 1 of the calendar year in which the election was held; A by-fax ballot no sooner than 30 days prior to the election; An in-person absentee ballot no sooner than 15 days prior to the election.

• Show up - polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Clerk's offices for absentee in person.
• Have ID ready - election workers will have precinct register.
• Not your precinct - you can vote using a questioned envelope.
• Follow the voting instructions provided by the poll workers.
• Do not take campaign materials with you. Campaign signs and materials are not allowed within 200 feet of an active polling place, including the absentee voting locations at the Clerk's office.

There are seven Borough election precincts. Your designated polling place is based on your residential address. On election day, your name will be listed on the precinct register in the precinct where you reside. You may vote in another polling place, but you will be asked to fill out a questioned voter envelope. Questioned voter ballots will be reviewed and counted separately by the canvass board.

In order to vote for a write-in candidate the voter must, in the space provided, write in the candidate’s name as the candidate’s name appears on the declaration of write-in candidacy filed with the Borough Clerk and fill in the oval opposite the candidate’s name. The use of stickers on the ballots is prohibited. Voters may request assistance from the poll workers.

According to KGBC 5.30.040 (a), Write-in votes are only tallied if:

(1)    If the person running as a write-in candidate has, at least before 5:00 p.m. of the day before the election, filed a declaration of write-in candidacy on a form provided by the clerk stating that they are willing to assume the office if elected and have also filed a completed public officials financial disclosure statement with the borough clerk; or

(2)    If the total number of write-in votes for an office exceeds the smallest number of votes cast for a candidate for that office whose name is printed on the ballot.

Give the Borough Clerk's office a call at 228-6605, or stop by at 1900 First Avenue, Suite 230 (White Cliff building).

Simply put, filing for Borough office means gathering signatures and completing and submitting the forms to place your name on the ballot for a Borough Mayor, Assembly, or School Board member seat.

The seats up for election on the October 7, 2025 Borough ballot are: 

• Borough Mayor - 1 seat for 3-year term
• Borough Assembly - 2 seats for 3-year terms 
• Borough Assembly - 1 seat for 1 year term
• School Board - 3 seats for 3-year terms
• School Board - 1 seat for 1-year term

Filing for Borough offices is available from August 1 through August 25 in the Borough Clerk’s office. Filing forms will be available at the Borough Clerk’s Office and on the Election page of the Borough website beginning July 1.

The State of Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC) has established rules for campaign disclosure.  Those forms must be filed directly to APOC by the candidate. Campaign forms are available at http://doa.alaska.gov/apoc/ 

Alaska law prohibits the placement of outdoor advertising along state highways unless certain exceptions are met.  See Alaska Statutes 19.25.105 at:  http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/folio.asp 

In addition, there are rules regarding placement of political and campaign signs on buildings within the Borough. See KGB Code 18.20.050 at: http://www.codepublishing.com/AK/ketchikangatewayborough

Be willing to make the time and effort commitment to keep informed of the issues facing the Borough. Learn more of what is expected by looking through the Candidate Information Handbook on the Elections Page of the Borough website.

The Gateway Recreation Center is open: Monday - Friday 6am-9pm Saturday 7am-7pm Sunday 11am-6pm The Gateway Aquatic Center is open: Monday - Friday 6am-8:15pm Saturday 7am-5pm Sunday 11am-5pm Parks & Recreation is always closed on the following holidays: New Years Day (January 1) Martin Luther King Jr Day (January) Presidents Day (February) Memorial Day (Last Monday in May) Independence Day (July 4) Labor Day (First Monday in September) Alaska Day (October) Veterans Day (November 11) Thanksgiving (Fourth Thursday in November) Christmas Day (December 25)

Beginning June 2026  We will be open Monday - Friday 5am-9pm for the summer months (June - September only).

We have various swims through out the day. Check our schedule here

There are two ways to register for a class, online or in person. To register in person you can come to the Gateway Recreation Center, 601 Schoenbar Rd, Ketchikan, AK 99901.

We currently have 10 punch passes, 1 month, and annual passes. Please visit the Parks & Recreation Prices Page for more information.

Pay By License Plate:

Note your license plate number before leaving your vehicle.

At the closest pay station enter the license plate number and follow the prompts on the screen. 

You may pay with cash or credit card. Please keep your receipt.

There are two options: Someone may go to a pay station and purchase a new session with your license plate information or you can use the VenPay smartphone app. In these instances you are purchasing a new time period, not extending your current time period. 

Search your smartphone’s app store for VenPAY. Download the free app, select the parking lot you are parked in (City/Revilla Lot, Airport/Gravina Lot, or Airport ADA/Gravina Lot), select the number of days you will be parked, and add your vehicle's license plate information. Follow the app's instructions to confirm and pay for your parking session. 

Using VenPAY's free smartphone app, select the History/Payment Receipts button and follow the prompts to extend your session. 

No. Keep your receipt with you. You may need to refer to the license plate number later should you need to purchase additional parking time.

No. When parking in either the Revillagigedo or Gravina Parking Lot, you will prepay at the pay stations located near the ferry loading entrance, the pay stations located on the first and second floor of the terminal, or through the VenPAY app. 

There are pay stations located inside and next to the Revilla Passenger Waiting Facility near the ferry entrance, on the first floor of the Airport Terminal, and on the second floor of the Airport Terminal in the secured area.