Spokane landlords now must provide some air conditioning to their tenants following a vote by the Spokane City Council to approve the “right to cooling” law.
By Aaron Kirk Douglas
The Spokane City Council voted 5-2 on July 29 to adopt Ordinance C36877, requiring landlords to provide adequate cooling in at least one room of every rental, expanding to every bedroom by 2032.
Earlier drafts required every bedroom to stay below 80 degrees, but the final version was softened after landlord feedback.
Landlords must respond within 72 hours of written notice, tenants who buy their own unit can deduct up to $500 from rent, permanent-system installations can qualify for two-year hardship extensions, and new construction permitted after Jan. 1, 2027 must include cooling.
Supporters pointed to 14 Spokane deaths in the 2021 heat dome; dissenting council members and Mayor Lisa Brown flagged tenant cost pass-throughs and unfunded code enforcement work.
About the author:
Aaron Kirk Douglas is director of market intelligence for HFO Investment Real Estate In Portland.
