Wednesday, August 6, 2025

LA County OKs Ordinance Capping Allowable Temperatures in Rental Units

CITY NEWS SERVICE

All rental housing units in unincorporated parts of Los Angeles County will soon be required to have a maximum indoor temperature of 82 degrees under an ordinance approved by the Board of Supervisors Tuesday.

“The proposed ordinance will enhance and strengthen the health and safety of occupants residing in rental housing units by ensuring indoor temperatures do not reach levels that are dangerous to health,” according to a letter sent to the board by the county Department of Public Health.

The ordinance will also require landlords to allow tenants to install portable cooling devices — such as air-conditioning units or fans — or other “non-mechanical cooling methods” — such as blackout curtains — to control the temperature in their units. That requirement is expected to take effect in 30 days, but enforcement of the overall 82-degree maximum temperature requirement will not begin until Jan. 1, 2027.

The ordinance was approved on a 4-0 vote, with Supervisor Kathryn Barger absent.

“For many residents of East L.A., Florence-Firestone, and Walnut Park, this ordinance could be life-saving — especially for vulnerable populations such as children, seniors, people with disabilities, and pregnant individuals,” according to a statement from Supervisor Hilda Solis’ office prior . “It also supports low-income households, many of whom live in older buildings lacking modern cooling systems. Importantly, the ordinance helps protect immigrant tenants by ensuring they can safely access cooling measures without fear of harassment or discrimination.”

The ordinance will require the maximum temperature of 82 degrees in all habitable rooms of the rental unit beginning Jan. 1, 2027.

Under an amendment introduced by Supervisor Janice Hahn, “small property landlords” will initially only be required such smaller landlords to maintain that temperature standard “in at least one habitable room.”

Some members of the public who attended the meeting urged the board to reject that amendment to ensure the full requirement applies to all rental units. But Hahn said her compromise will require smaller landlords to limit the temperature in all habitable rooms by Jan. 1, 2032. Hahn said it will give smaller landlords “a longer onramp” to achieve the cooling goal.

The board also asked its staff to explore possible financial resources to help tenants and landlords reduce the costs of meeting the ordinance requirements.