Landlords in Los Angeles County could soon be required to ensure their tenants are able to stay cool on hot days.
On Tuesday, supervisors approved an ordinance that begins the process of gathering public comment and input from stakeholders on the issue.
Supervisor Kathryn Barger cast the only no vote.
The proposal calls for a “maximum indoor temperature threshold” for rental units and requires that all rental housing be “cooling ready” so tenants can add their own air conditioning systems.
What that temperature threshold should be is still undetermined.
In Palm Springs, air conditioning has been required since 2018 and the city set a maximum temperature of 80 degrees. Phoenix and Las Vegas have similar ordinances.
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“Extreme heat is the deadliest climate risk facing Los Angeles County,” said supervisors Hilda Solis and Lindsey Horvath in their motion . “In units where air conditioning is not provided by the landlord, tenants should be able to install air conditioning without fear of eviction or retaliation … The proposed ordinance should enshrine tenants with a right to responsibly and safely further cool their dwellings at their own cost.”