Renters' right to cooling ordinance
about the ordinance
The proposed Renters’ Right to Cooling ordinance would establish cooling as a minimum habitability standard for residential rental properties in Spokane. Under the proposal, landlords would be required to provide and maintain a cooling system capable of keeping indoor temperatures within specified limits during periods of hot weather. The ordinance is intended to define minimum cooling standards, clarify landlord and tenant responsibilities related to cooling equipment, and establish a process for addressing situations in which rental units do not meet the required temperature standards.
dsp position: oppose
The DSP opposes the Renters’ Right to Cooling Ordinance (ORD C36877) due to concerns that a one-size-fits-all cooling mandate could create significant challenges for Spokane’s existing housing stock, particularly historic downtown buildings that provide naturally occurring affordable housing. While recognizing the importance of protecting residents from extreme heat, the DSP believes the proposed requirements may be difficult or cost-prohibitive for many older properties to meet due to limitations in building design, infrastructure, and the financial realities of retrofitting historic structures.
The DSP is concerned that increased compliance costs could reduce investment in existing housing, contribute to higher operating costs, or put some residential units at risk of becoming financially infeasible. Instead, the DSP supports solutions that improve cooling access while preserving housing availability, including flexible standards, incentives, and collaborative approaches that account for the unique characteristics of Spokane’s historic housing.
—
Read a recent editorial co-authored by DSP Board Chair Dana Harbaugh by clicking below.
take action
Share concerns with city council on adoption of the Renters’ Right to Cooling Ordinance (ORD C36877) in any of the following ways:
- Email citycouncil2@spokanecity.org
- Submit a letter to the editor (see instructions)
- You can also sign up to testify at City Council’s hearing on July 15.