Spokane City Council Passes Renters Right to Cooling Ordinance

~ Spokane City Council Passes Ordinance to Protect Renters from Extreme Heat

At the Wednesday night Spokane City Council Legislative Session, the council voted 5-2 in favor of ordinance C36877, also known as the "Renters' Right to Cooling." This new ordinance, proposed by Council Member Sarah Dixit and supported by the Gonzaga Climate Institute and other advocates, makes adequate cooling a requirement in all residential rental units in Spokane.

According to Lisa Gardner, City Council Communications Director, the ordinance expands on tenants' current rights under state law, which only requires landlords to accommodate portable cooling units. With this new ordinance, adequate cooling will now be considered a basic right for all tenants in Spokane, regardless of their income or housing status.

Council Member Dixit expressed her gratitude towards the Gonzaga Climate Institute and other advocates for their collaboration on climate justice work in the city. She stated, "Everyone deserves shelter from extreme heat, regardless of their circumstances."

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The ordinance was amended multiple times based on community input and public testimony. As adopted by the City Council, it defines "adequate cooling" as cooling that is sufficient enough to prevent risks to tenant health. It also requires that all rental dwellings have adequate cooling in at least one room.

In addition to this, tenants will now have the right to terminate their rental agreements or arrange for installation of cooling equipment and deduct up to $500 from their rent for installation costs. This deductible amount will increase every July based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Dwellings without adequate cooling will be deemed defective and subject to enforcement remedies by local officials. However, there are provisions in place that allow for extensions of time if providing cooling poses an undue hardship or if major improvements or electrical upgrades are needed. The ordinance also encourages partnerships between the city and energy providers to identify vulnerable tenants and provide them with cooling devices and other relief.

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Furthermore, all new construction permitted after January 1, 2027, will be required to include cooling equipment. Landlords will also be required to provide notices to tenants of their rights under the ordinance.

Council Member Kate Telis stated, "This ordinance proves that we don't have to choose between protecting tenants and recognizing the realities of Spokane's housing stock – we can do both." She added that through months of collaboration, a practical approach was developed that ensures the safety of residents during extreme heat while also providing a realistic path for property owners to retrofit older buildings.

Council Member Paul Dillon emphasized the importance of this ordinance in addressing the increasing number of heat-related deaths and rising temperatures in Spokane. He stated, "Passing this ordinance is a clear statement that Spokane takes climate realities seriously and values human life over complacency." He added that it is a practical and compassionate step towards creating a safer and healthier city.

With projections indicating that temperatures will continue to rise, extreme heat has become the leading weather-related cause of death in the U.S. This makes habitability a critical concern for the City of Spokane. With this new ordinance in place, renters can now feel assured that they have the right to adequate cooling during extreme heat waves.

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