Mold
As of November 9, 2017, the presence of significant visible mold in hotels and other visitor accommodations is considered a public nuisance under Anchorage Municipal Code Chapter 15.20. This ordinance does not apply to residences, apartments or other commercial facilities.
“Hotel” means any building or facility used for visitor accommodations as defined in Title 21 and meeting the definitions of “hotel”, “motel” or “extended-stay lodging,” as those specific commercial use types are defined in Anchorage Municipal Code Section 21.05.050.
Significant means mold that is present on surfaces such as walls, wall cavities, wallpaper, carpeting, ceilings, piping, ventilation systems, or other interior building structures where moisture is not intended to accumulate or where mold is not customarily found, but does not include minor mold or mildew found on surfaces that can accumulate moisture as part of their proper and intended use when maintained in proper repair.
Receiving complaints from consumers is an important part of the ongoing monitoring of conditions in food establishments and public facilities.
If significant visible mold growth is discovered in a hotel, please submit a complaint online or contact the Anchorage Health Department Environmental Health Program at (907) 343-4200. Please be prepared to provide information to support a credible complaint including photographs and a completed witness statement form: download form here.
How to make an OSHA complaint
In addition, workers may file a complaint with OSHA by calling 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) or online via eComplaint Form.
How to make a mold complaint outside of the MOA
For mold concerns outside of the Municipality of Anchorage, contact the State of Alaska, Department of Health and Social Services, Section of Epidemiology at (907) 269-8000 or (800) 478-0084, or email InfDisease@alaska.gov.
Resources