SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane City Council voted 5-2 Wednesday night to require adequate cooling in residential rental units.
The “Renters’ Right to Cooling” ordinance defines adequate cooling as cooling sufficient to prevent risks to tenant health and mandates that all rentals have adequate cooling in at least one room.
“People died in their homes five years ago,” said Sarah Dixit, Spokane City Council Member. “There has been plenty of time to start this work or doing the retrofitting or whatever has to happen to equip their units with cooling…and if that hasn’t happened in five years it is our job to step in.”
Tenants can now terminate rental agreements if adequate cooling is not provided or arrange for cooling equipment installation and deduct the cost up to $500 from their rent. The deductible amount increases each July based on the Consumer Price Index.
Homes without adequate cooling will be classified as defective and subject to enforcement remedies by local officials.
The ordinance includes flexibility for property owners, allowing extensions to comply if providing cooling poses undue hardship, requires major improvements, or if the home is in a historic building.
Council Member Michael Cathcart emphasized the importance of clear standards during the discussion. “Don’t leave it up to guesses,” Cathcart said. “Try not to leave it in the hands of a judge who might have some wayward interpretation…we have seen that before…try to decide what it is you want to achieve and try to achieve it…and I think that’s a frustration of mine.”
Starting January 1, 2027, all new construction must include cooling equipment, and landlords must provide written notices to tenants explaining their rights.
“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.”
COPYRIGHT 2026 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
