In a decisive move against rising heat-related fatalities exacerbated by climate change, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has approved a groundbreaking cooling mandate for rental housing. This 4-0 vote, passed on Tuesday, establishes a maximum indoor temperature of 82°F for rental units, aimed at addressing the dangers posed by extreme heat, especially as heat waves become more severe. The fifth supervisor, Kathryn Barger, was absent during the vote.
Historically, landlords in L.A. have been obligated to provide heating but not necessarily air conditioning. Public health officials, alongside tenant advocates, argue that the new requirement is crucial for preserving lives during increasingly dangerous heat events. However, some critics express concerns that the new regulations could impose significant financial burdens on landlords.
Supervisor Hilda Solis, a key proponent of the cooling mandate, noted that the county is exploring funding avenues to assist landlords in retrofitting their buildings to meet the new standards. Yet, she emphasized that many landlords could comply without installing air conditioning units.
“I would want to rephrase it from being called an air-conditioning ordinance, because that’s not what this is,” said Solis.
She explained that cooling measures such as blackout curtains, reflective roofing, and double-pane windows may suffice to maintain an indoor temperature of 82°F. However, officials acknowledged that air conditioning units might be necessary in areas experiencing extreme heat.
The new regulations will primarily apply to unincorporated areas of L.A. County, including East L.A. and certain regions in South L.A. They could also extend to the county’s 88 incorporated cities if local officials decide to adopt them.
Data from a 2025 report by the California Department of Housing and Community Development highlights that heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths nationwide, with dangerous heat events becoming more prevalent. The report advises that maintaining indoor temperatures at a maximum of 82°F is critical for safety.
In comparison, other cities have set differing temperature thresholds: Palm Springs mandates indoor temperatures not to exceed 80°F, while Dallas allows up to 85°F. Between 2013 and 2022, California experienced seven extreme heat events, resulting in 460 deaths and over 5,000 hospitalizations, as reported by the California Department of Insurance. The deadliest of these events occurred during a two-week heatwave in 2022, claiming the lives of 200 individuals in L.A. County and surrounding areas.
Tenant advocates argue that the cooling mandate is long overdue. Jannet Torres, an organizer with Strategic Actions for a Just Economy, shared her personal struggle with extreme heat, revealing that her family cannot use an air conditioning unit due to electrical limitations imposed by their landlord.
“You become very depressed or you can’t move — you’re not as productive as you wish you were. My mom gets nosebleeds sometimes, and it makes it really hard for her to be able to get to and from work,” Torres explained.
The implementation timeline for the new rules allows for thirty days following the vote, during which renters will gain protections against eviction and landlord retaliation for installing their own cooling solutions. While landlords will be tasked with maintaining compliance with the 82°F limit, the enforcement of these rules is not expected to begin until January 1, 2027.
Enforcement will be managed through the county’s Rental Housing Habitability Program by responding to tenant complaints. If landlords require retrofits to meet the new cooling standards, they will be granted a grace period of two years to make necessary adjustments.
Supervisor Janice Hahn expressed concern about the potential financial strain this mandate could place on smaller landlords. Consequently, an amendment was passed allowing landlords who own ten units or fewer to meet the requirements by cooling only one habitable room per unit until 2032, after which they will need to provide cooling in all habitable spaces.
Hahn raised doubts regarding the county’s ability to adequately support landlords through financial and resource solutions, especially in light of previous COVID-related ordinances.
Fred Sutton, a spokesperson for the California Apartment Association, indicated that compliance challenges may arise if a landlord effectively cools bedrooms, living rooms, and dining areas but fails to maintain kitchen temperatures at or below the required threshold.
“These projects can take a lot of capital outlays and can be incredibly complicated and invasive,” Sutton stated, emphasizing that the Board may not fully grasp the implications of these mandates on various properties.
Concerns regarding the power grid’s ability to accommodate additional cooling demands were addressed by Ted Bardacke, the CEO of Clean Power Alliance. Bardacke assured the Board of Supervisors that by the time the new ordinance is enforced, all electricity supplied to affected areas would be carbon-free, mitigating any concerns around exacerbating climate change through increased electricity consumption.
Regarding electrical demand, Bardacke also noted that implementing air conditioning in every unit is unlikely to push peak demand beyond manageable levels.
Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, a co-author of the cooling proposal, emphasized the urgency of the mandate. “Extreme heat is no longer a future problem; it is here,” she remarked.
As Los Angeles County takes this significant step forward in combating the health impacts of climate change, the success of this initiative will depend on its implementation and the support provided to landlords and tenants alike.
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