SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane’s proposed “Renters’ Right to Cooling” ordinance is moving forward with a significant amendment that adjusts how landlords must comply with cooling requirements.
Councilman Paul Dillon shared a document with 4 News Now outlining the amendment, which modifies the original proposal requiring landlords to keep all bedrooms below 80 degrees immediately. The amended ordinance takes a phased approach while addressing tenant concerns about livable conditions during hot months.
Under the amendment, landlords must immediately provide cooling equipment for at least one room in each rental unit. If a unit is not kept cool, tenants can purchase cooling equipment themselves and receive reimbursement of up to $500 from their landlord. By 2032, landlords must supply cooling equipment in each bedroom. The amendment also removes the requirement of keeping rooms below 80 degrees and, instead, defines “adequate cooling” as a temperature that does not present health risks to tenants.
Dillon said the city council plans to adopt the amendment on Tuesday, followed by a first reading later this month. Director of Communications and Community Engagement Lisa Gardner said enforcement rules will be determined by city administration, with clarification expected next week.
The proposed ordinance has drawn mixed reactions from the rental housing community. Some landlords and housing organizations expressed concerns at a city council meeting last month that complying would be financially unfeasible and could worsen housing availability.
Steve Corker, a former city councilman and longtime rental housing provider, voiced those concerns at the meeting.
“I’m not arguing the principle of what you’re trying to do. What I’m saying is that, if you don’t take time to do things right, you’re going to make the problem worse,” Corker said.
Some housing advocates acknowledged the goal of providing safe housing, but questioned the ordinance’s approach. They argued that installing air conditioning in older buildings isn’t feasible, and affordable housing organizations warned the requirements could drive up rental costs.
Spencer Lambdin, a resident, disagreed with landlord concerns.
“I’m, quite frankly, disgusted. We’re listening to landlords with hundreds and thousands of properties in our city talk about how they can’t afford to update them. If you can’t afford to update them, then you shouldn’t own them,” Lambdin said.
If the ordinance passes and landlords fail to comply, tenants will have the right to terminate their rental agreements without penalty.
COPYRIGHT 2026 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
