Spokane City Council Passes Renters' Right to Cooling Ordinance

Spokane City Council Passes Renters Right to Cooling Ordinance

Lisa Gardner, City Council Communications Director, [email protected]

Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 8:15 a.m.

At the Wednesday night Spokane City Council Legislative Session, Council voted 5-2 on ordinance C36877, known as the "Renters' Right to Cooling," that makes adequate cooling a requirement in residential rental units. The ordinance expands tenants' current rights under state law, which requires landlords to accommodate portable cooling units, by making adequate cooling a basic right of tenants in Spokane.

"Everyone, regardless of their income or housing status, deserves shelter from the elements, including extreme heat," said Council Member Sarah Dixit. "I'm grateful to the Gonzaga Climate Institute and other advocates for their collaboration on climate justice work in our city."

The ordinance was amended several times in response to community input and public testimony. As adopted by the City Council, the ordinance defines "adequate cooling" as cooling sufficient to prevent risks to tenant health and requires that all rental dwellings have adequate cooling in at least one room. In addition, tenants will have the right to terminate their rental agreements or arrange for installation of cooling equipment and deduct the cost of installation up to $500. The deductible amount increases in July based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Dwellings without adequate cooling will be deemed defective and subject to enforcement remedies by local officials. The ordinance allows local officials to grant extensions of time to comply if providing cooling poses undue hardship, require major improvements or electrical upgrades, or if the dwelling is in an historic building. Other provisions encourage partnerships between the City and energy providers to identify tenants vulnerable to extreme heat waves and to provide them with cooling devices and other relief.

The ordinance also requires that all new construction permitted after January 1, 2027, includes cooling equipment. A separate provision also requires landlords to provide notices to tenants of their rights under the ordinance.

"This ordinance proves we don't have to choose between protecting tenants and recognizing the realities of Spokane's housing stock-we can do both," said Council Member Kate Telis. "Through months of collaboration, we developed a practical approach that keeps people safe during extreme heat while giving property owners a realistic path to retrofit older buildings."

"Passing the renters' right to cooling ordinance is a clear statement that Spokane takes climate realities seriously and values human life over complacency," said Council Member Paul Dillon. "It is a practical, compassionate step toward a safer, healthier city."

Heat-related deaths have been increasing, and average temperatures in Spokane have risen over the years. Projections indicate that temperatures will continue to rise. Extreme heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the U.S., making habitability a critical concern for the City of Spokane.

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