Alaska Window Tint Laws 2026
Alaska sets its tint rules in an administrative regulation, 13 AAC 04.223. Front driver and passenger windows need at least 70% light transmittance, and the rear door windows, quarter glasses and back glass need at least 40%. The windshield can carry only a top strip no more than five inches deep, mirrored tint is banned, and film colors are limited to green, gray, bronze and neutral smoke.
Rule, not statute: Alaska's limits live in the administrative code under authority of AS 28.05.011, not in a standalone tint statute. Bills to write tint limits into statute, including a 35% proposal, were introduced in past sessions, but the regulation is the rule that governs today.
Quick Reference
| Window | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | Top strip, 5" max | Eyebrow only |
| Front driver and passenger windows | 70% VLT minimum | Strictest |
| Rear door windows and quarter glasses | 40% VLT minimum | Same as back glass |
| Back glass | 40% VLT minimum | Same as rear doors |
| Colors | Green, gray, bronze, neutral smoke | Or sun reflective film |
| Mirrored tint | Banned | Any window |
How the Limits Work
Under 13 AAC 04.223, driver and front passenger side windows may carry tint that permits at least 70% light transmittance. The rear door windows, quarter glasses and back glasses may carry tint permitting at least 40%. Alaska has no separate rule for the rear window versus rear side windows, so all of the glass behind the front doors sits at the same 40% floor.
Light transmittance is the ratio of total light allowed through a window, so factory glass counts toward the reading. Measurements are taken with a certified device, and the regulation requires measuring devices to allow for manufacturing variances of plus or minus three percent.
The Windshield
The front windshield may have a strip of tinting material applied to the top edge, known in the industry as an eyebrow, which does not extend downward more than five inches. The rule is a measurement from the top edge, not the AS-1 line used by many states. No other windshield tint is allowed.
Colors and Mirrored Film
Mirrored tinting material is prohibited on any window. Allowed colors are green, gray, bronze or neutral smoke, or a sun reflective auto film. The regulation does not define sun reflective auto film, and it sits alongside the separate ban on mirrored tint, so choose a film that isn't visibly mirrored.
For-Hire Limousines and Buses, Motor Homes and Multipurpose Vehicles
The regulation allows limousines and passenger buses used to transport persons for hire, motor homes, and vehicles identified by the manufacturer as multipurpose to use tinting that complies with Standard No. 205, the federal glazing standard, rather than the Alaska 70% and 40% numbers. Under the federal standard, windows rearward of the driver on those vehicle types are not held to the 70% minimum. Whether a particular SUV counts depends on how its manufacturer classifies it, so check before assuming. Sedans and other ordinary passenger cars follow the Alaska limits.
Legal vs Illegal
Legal
- ✓70% or lighter tint on the driver and front passenger windows
- ✓40% or lighter tint on rear door windows, quarter glasses and back glass
- ✓A top-edge windshield strip up to five inches deep
- ✓Green, gray, bronze or neutral smoke film, or non-mirrored sun reflective film
Illegal
- ✗Front side windows below 70% without a medical certification
- ✗Rear glass below 40% on an ordinary passenger car
- ✗Windshield tint deeper than five inches from the top
- ✗Mirrored film or film in colors outside the allowed list
Fines and Penalties
Alaska's court bail schedule has listed 13 AAC 04.223 as a correctable offense, which means showing proof of correction can lead to dismissal. The amounts on that schedule have changed over the years and sources quote different figures, so confirm the current amount with the Alaska Court System using the citation number on your ticket.
Grandfathered Rear Tint
Rear window tint installed before July 1, 1994 is exempt from the current limits if the vehicle has both driver and passenger rearview mirrors. This now matters only for very old vehicles still on the road.
Medical Exemptions
Darker tint is allowed when a driver, or a passenger who frequently travels in the vehicle, is required for medical reasons to be shielded from the direct rays of the sun. The medical reasons must be certified annually by a physician licensed to practice in Alaska, and the certification must be carried in the vehicle. The regulation does not set a darkness figure for exempt tint.
What Legal Tint Actually Costs in Alaska
Alaska's 70% front limit means front windows need a very light film, while the rear glass can go considerably darker at 40%. Ceramic film is a popular choice for heat and UV rejection without going darker, and the long winter hours of low sun make glare control on the front windows a real consideration too.
| Film Type | Sedan | SUV / Truck |
|---|---|---|
| Dyed film | $130 to $250 | $190 to $360 |
| Carbon film | $190 to $310 | $250 to $400 |
| Ceramic film | $220 to $420 | $310 to $570 |
Use the calculator to get an estimate specific to your vehicle before contacting any shop.
Free Tint Cost CalculatorFrequently Asked Questions
Tint Enforcement by City
Anchorage
The state's largest city. The same statewide 70% and 40% limits apply.
Fairbanks
Extreme cold and low winter sun make front-window glare a common concern. The same 70% and 40% limits apply.
Juneau
Standard statewide rules apply on the road system.
Wasilla and Palmer
Mat-Su Valley, where the same statewide regulation applies.
Kenai and Soldotna
Kenai Peninsula, standard statewide rules apply.
Related Reading
Window Tint Laws by State
Alaska tint law is one piece of a bigger picture. Every state sets its own VLT limits, and they vary more than most drivers expect. Browse the full directory below.
Alaska tint law reference: 13 AAC 04.223 (Alaska Administrative Code), authority AS 28.05.011. Laws can change. Always verify current requirements with the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles before getting your windows tinted.