Extreme heat is getting worse. Starting September 4, 2025, all rental dwelling units in unincorporated Los Angeles County must be able to stay at a safe temperature—no more than 82°F. Although the ordinance takes effect on that date, it won’t be enforced until January 1, 2027, giving landlords time to prepare. Landlords are responsible for making sure all livable rooms don’t get hotter than that. While the ordinance doesn’t require landlords to upgrade electrical systems, it’s strongly recommended that units are 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. If your home doesn’t have AC, you can install your own portable units, and your landlord can’t punish you or raise your rent because of it.
This is just one part of your rights as a renter. Here are some other important things to know:
Learn about what landlords can and can’t do, including rent increases and evictions.
If you're being evicted, you may be able to get free legal support through the Tenant Right to Counsel program.
Your landlord has to keep your home safe and livable. That includes making sure it meets the new cooling rules.
If something doesn’t feel right, speak up. You have the right to a safe, comfortable place to live. Now, that means staying cool, too.
A proposed ordinance is expected to go before the Board of Supervisors in early August, which, if approved by the Board, would require all rental dwellings in unincorporated Los Angeles County to maintain safe indoor temperatures—no higher than 82°F. This measure aims to protect tenants during extreme heat. If approved, the ordinance would go into effect 30 days after Board adoption, enforcement would begin in January 2027, providing landlords with time to prepare.
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.
It can be expensive to run air conditioning, especially during extreme heat. There are lots of programs that can help with the cost of keeping rental dwellings cooler.
Whether you’re a landlord making upgrades or a tenant trying to stay comfortable, you may qualify for:
These resources can help with things like electrical updates, cooling devices, and lower energy bills. Let’s keep homes safe and comfortable—for everyone.
You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Whether you’re a landlord starting to upgrade your property or a tenant trying to stay safe in the heat, there are trusted experts and programs ready to help.
Here’s what you can access:
These tools can help make sure upgrades are safe, affordable, and up to code.
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
A proposed ordinance is expected to go before the Board of Supervisors in early August, which, if approved by the Board, would require all rental dwellings in unincorporated Los Angeles County to maintain safe indoor temperatures—no higher than 82°F. This measure aims to protect tenants during extreme heat. If approved, the ordinance would go into effect 30 days after Board adoption, enforcement would begin in January 2027, providing landlords with time to prepare.
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.
It can be expensive to run air conditioning, especially during extreme heat. There are lots of programs that can help with the cost of keeping rental dwellings cooler.
Whether you’re a landlord making upgrades or a tenant trying to stay comfortable, you may qualify for:
These resources can help with things like electrical updates, cooling devices, and lower energy bills. Let’s keep homes safe and comfortable—for everyone.
You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Whether you’re a landlord starting to upgrade your property or a tenant trying to stay safe in the heat, there are trusted experts and programs ready to help.
Here’s what you can access:
These tools can help make sure upgrades are safe, affordable, and up to code.
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