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How Can I Comply?

Steps To Take

How Landlords Can Comply With the New Cooling Ordinance

Unincorporated Los Angeles County has passed a new ordinance requiring rental units to maintain a maximum indoor temperature of no more than 82°F. For most landlords, this requirement will apply to all habitable rooms by January 1, 2027. If you are a small property landlord*, you will need to meet the standard in at least one habitable room per unit by January 1, 2027, and in all habitable rooms by January 1, 2032, to comply with the ordinance.

Here’s What Landlords Need To Know
  • Landlords are responsible for making sure rental units can maintain a temperature of no more than 82°F in every habitable room.
  • If rental units continue to exceed 82°F and landlords have exhausted passive cooling options, they may be required to explore the addition of mechanical cooling such as air conditioning units or heat pumps.
  • In cases where retrofits are needed to keep the unit at no more than 82°, landlords will be allowed to request an extension to complete the needed work.
How to Prepare Your Units for Safe Cooling

To prepare for implementation of the ordinance, it’s a good idea to make sure your rental units are ready to keep tenants cool:

  • Check the electrical system: Make sure it’s safe and can handle things like fans or air conditioning (AC).
  • Add or update outlets: Make sure there are enough outlets for tenants to plug in cooling devices.
  • Ensure windows can have coverings: Make sure windows can easily support blinds or curtains to block out heat.
  • Make space for cooling devices: Make sure there’s enough space for tenants to use fans or portable cooling devices as defined in the ordinance, safely without obstruction.

Thirty days after the ordinance receives final approval by the Board of Supervisors, tenants will be able to add their own portable cooling or non-mechanical cooling, if they wish. They’ll need to give you five calendar days’ advance notice. The installation can’t conflict with existing building codes, and the tenant needs to operate the device according to the manufacturer’s written safety guidelines. Tenants will not be allowed to alter or modify the rental unit to add cooling.

While you can’t pass along the cost of portable cooling equipment you buy, other upgrade costs might be eligible for cost-sharing, depending on the circumstances. Proactive conversations with your tenants can help identify the most effective and affordable cooling solutions for everyone—before the heat hits.

  • The ordinance goes into effect on September 4, 2025.
  • Enforcement will begin January 1, 2027 (or later depending on when the fee is approved) and will be based on tenant complaints.
  • You could get extra time to comply if you need big updates.
  • Failure to comply over time could lead to enforcement action.

Also, remember that tenant protections under the County's Rent Stabilization Tenant Protection Ordinance (RSTPO) still apply.

  • Owner-occupied rental units
  • Mobile homes or mobile home parks
  • RVs or RV parks
  • Properties subject to routine inspections for habitability by another agency
  • Vacant units or properties

Also, remember that tenant protections under the County’s Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protection Ordinance (RSTPO) still apply.

  • The ordinance goes into effect on September 4, 2025.
  • Enforcement will begin January 1, 2027 (or later depending on when the fee is approved) and will be based on tenant complaints.
  • You could get extra time to comply if you need big updates.
  • Failure to comply over time could lead to enforcement action.

Also, remember that tenant protections under the County's Rent Stabilization Tenant Protection Ordinance (RSTPO) still apply.

  • Owner-occupied rental units
  • Mobile homes or mobile home parks
  • RVs or RV parks
  • Properties subject to routine inspections for habitability by another agency
  • Vacant units or properties

Also, remember that tenant protections under the County’s Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protection Ordinance (RSTPO) still apply.

Safe Maximum Indoor Temperature Thresholds 
for Residential Dwelling Units

Unincorporated Los Angeles County has passed a new ordinance requiring rental units to maintain a maximum indoor temperature of no more than 82°F. For most landlords, this requirement will apply to all habitable rooms by January 1, 2027. If you are a small property landlord*, you will need to meet the standard in at least one habitable room per unit by January 1, 2027, and in all habitable rooms by January 1, 2032, to comply with the ordinance.

Tenants are allowed to install their own portable cooling devices—such as plug-in air conditioners or fans—without being evicted, charged extra, or punished. Tenants must notify their landlord in writing, at least five days before installing the unit, so their landlord is aware of the additional electrical demand. Landlords may not pass along the cost of installing a portable cooling device to tenants, but they may be eligible for other capital improvements required to comply.

While the ordinance doesn’t require landlords to upgrade electrical systems, it’s strongly recommended that units be equipped to safely support standard cooling devices. Ensuring electrical systems are up to code and able to handle plug-in air conditioners or fans can help avoid safety issues and make compliance easier for everyone. Tenants can add a portable cooling device or utilize other non-mechanical cooling methods at their own cost, and landlords cannot raise the rent or charge extra fees under the new rule.

Get Heat Alerts and Stay Safe

Hot days aren’t just uncomfortable. They can actually be dangerous. Heat waves are getting longer and happening more often, and spending too much time in high temperatures can make you really sick. While anyone can be affected, older adults, young children, pregnant people, outdoor workers, unhoused individuals, athletes, and people with chronic health conditions are most at risk.

Check out these helpful resources from the County of Los Angeles Department of Health.

Sign up online for LA County heat alerts.

Sources: County of Los Angeles Public Health, Los Angeles Office of Climate Emergency Mobilization, LADWP

Safe Maximum Indoor Temperature Thresholds 
for Residential Dwelling Units

Unincorporated Los Angeles County has passed a new ordinance requiring rental units to maintain a maximum indoor temperature of no more than 82°F. For most landlords, this requirement will apply to all habitable rooms by January 1, 2027. If you are a small property landlord*, you will need to meet the standard in at least one habitable room per unit by January 1, 2027, and in all habitable rooms by January 1, 2032, to comply with the ordinance.

Tenants are allowed to install their own portable cooling devices—such as plug-in air conditioners or fans—without being evicted, charged extra, or punished. Tenants must notify their landlord in writing, at least five days before installing the unit, so their landlord is aware of the additional electrical demand. Landlords may not pass along the cost of installing a portable cooling device to tenants, but they may be eligible for other capital improvements required to comply.

While the ordinance doesn’t require landlords to upgrade electrical systems, it’s strongly recommended that units be equipped to safely support standard cooling devices. Ensuring electrical systems are up to code and able to handle plug-in air conditioners or fans can help avoid safety issues and make compliance easier for everyone. Tenants can add a portable cooling device or utilize other non-mechanical cooling methods at their own cost, and landlords cannot raise the rent or charge extra fees under the new rule.

Get Heat Alerts and Stay Safe

Hot days aren’t just uncomfortable. They can actually be dangerous. Heat waves are getting longer and happening more often, and spending too much time in high temperatures can make you really sick. While anyone can be affected, older adults, young children, pregnant people, outdoor workers, unhoused individuals, athletes, and people with chronic health conditions are most at risk.

Check out these helpful resources from the County of Los Angeles Department of Health.

Sign up online for LA County heat alerts.

Sources: County of Los Angeles Public Health, Los Angeles Office of Climate Emergency Mobilization, LADWP

* “Small Property Landlord” is defined as a Landlord that meets any of the following:
(1) is qualified for and receives a Homeowners' Property Tax Exemption for the property on which the subject Rental Unit is located;
(2) has an ownership interest or beneficial interest in or controls only one (1) Rental Property with no more than ten (10) Rental Units; or
(3) has an ownership interest or beneficial interest in or controls no more than three (3) Rental Properties with a combined total of no more than ten (10) Rental Units, including any Rental Properties outside of Los Angeles County.

A Small Property Landlord does not include a real estate investment trust (as defined in Internal Revenue Code section 856), a corporation, a limited liability company in which at least one (1) member is, or is controlled by, a corporation, or a partnership in which at least one (1) partner is, or is controlled by, a corporation.