LA County Caps Indoor Temps for Renters

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed a new ordinance by a 4-0 vote requiring landlords in unincorporated areas to keep rental units at or below 82 degrees Fahrenheit to protect tenants from extreme heat. The ordinance takes full effect in 2027, with phased compliance and extensions for small landlords, who must meet the standard in at least one room until 2032. Landlords are encouraged to use passive cooling measures before considering air conditioning and are prohibited from passing retrofit costs onto tenants. Tenants may install their own cooling devices without penalty. Enforcement will be based on tenant complaints, and county officials are considering financial support for landlords needing to upgrade buildings. The measure aims to address the rising public health threat posed by increasingly frequent and deadly heat waves.