Heat pumps (File Photo – raw-pixel)
On Tuesday, August 5, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a groundbreaking ordinance establishing a maximum indoor temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit for rental units in the county’s unincorporated areas.
By News Desk
The ordinance, the first of its kind in the region, was introduced by Chair Pro Tem and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, with strong support from Third District Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. It aims to safeguard the health of renters, particularly vulnerable populations such as children, seniors, people with disabilities, and immigrant families living in aging buildings without modern cooling systems.
“We know that extreme heat is not just uncomfortable. It is deadly,” said Supervisor Solis. “This ordinance is a critical, life-saving policy that prioritizes the health and dignity of renters… Everyone deserves to feel safe and stay healthy in their own home.”
Under the new policy, tenants will have the right to use portable cooling devices, such as plug-in air conditioners, fans, or blackout curtains, without fear of eviction, retaliation, or added costs. It also prohibits landlords from using the presence of such devices as grounds for rent increases, harassment, or eviction, providing key protections for immigrant renters and low-income households.
The ordinance responds to worsening climate conditions across Los Angeles County, particularly in unincorporated areas like East Los Angeles, Puente Valley, Florence-Firestone, and Walnut Park. These communities have experienced increasingly severe heat waves and are home to many renters in older, uncooled housing stock.
“As climate change intensifies and temperatures rise, Los Angeles County is taking bold action to protect renters and safeguard community health,” said Supervisor Horvath. “Setting a maximum indoor temperature of 82 degrees isn’t a luxury, it’s a basic right.”
The policy sets a public health standard aimed at climate resilience, tenant protection, and equity. With heat-related illnesses on the rise, County officials say this ordinance is a vital step in adapting to a warming climate while protecting the well-being of residents.
The ordinance is expected to serve as a model for other jurisdictions facing similar climate challenges across the region and beyond.
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