West Hollywood city leaders are considering whether to direct staff to develop a maximum indoor temperature requirement for rental housing.

The proposal comes as U.S. Census Bureau data estimated that 5,792 occupied homes in the city, about 25.8%, lack air conditioning.

Here's what to know

West Hollywood does not currently require landlords to keep rental apartments below a specific indoor temperature. According to WEHOonline, Councilmember John Erickson is backing a proposal to have city staff draft that kind of rule.

A county ordinance may offer a starting point. In unincorporated Los Angeles County, rental units must be able to maintain habitable rooms at 82 degrees or below.

While California landlords are already required to provide adequate heat, state law does not set a comparable standard for when a rental becomes dangerously hot indoors. 

Erickson told WEHOonline, "If we expect rental homes to be safe when it's cold, we should have the same expectation when it's dangerously hot. I want West Hollywood to establish a clear maximum indoor temperature standard."

More background

The estimate was based on the U.S. Census Bureau's first Local Air Conditioning Estimates, using American Community Survey and American Housing Survey data at the Census-tract level. They are modeled estimates rather than a home-by-home count, and they cover owner-occupied housing as well as rentals.

WEHOonline reported that the city began looking at cooling rules in 2020, including whether tenants should be allowed to install cooling systems at their own expense. West Hollywood returned to the issue in 2024 but delayed work on its own ordinance until Los Angeles County finished its rules.

What's being done?

The county's ordinance gives landlords several ways to comply, including AC, heat pumps, portable cooling devices, passive cooling measures, or a combination of those options.

Before the proposal returns to the City Council, the staff report cited by WEHOonline said city staff would need to study an appropriate temperature threshold, consult tenants and property owners, conduct community outreach, and take the measure to the Rent Stabilization Commission. The report also said the ordinance likely would not be added to the city's work plan before the fiscal year 2028 budget cycle because of other priorities.

For Southern California residents who can make energy upgrades at home, Palmetto's special offer could provide another way to offset rising cooling costs. With Palmetto's help, the average Southern California resident can save 40% on their electric bills, which can add up to thousands of dollars per year.

Erickson told WEHOonline, "We need to start that work sooner than 2028. These heat waves aren't going away, and we have a responsibility to protect people in their homes."

Where can I learn more?

West Hollywood isn't alone: Cities and states across the country are grappling with dangerous indoor heat for renters.

• In Los Angeles, officials proposed a new heat rule to shield renters indoors.

• Across the U.S., many renters still endure policy gaps without cooling during dangerous heat waves.

• In Washington, advocates pushed to make air conditioning a basic right after deadly heat.

• In Arizona, renters can demand an emergency AC fix when triple-digit temperatures turn dangerous.

• In Texas, a tenant sought a simple air-conditioning request as weak renter protections fueled frustration.

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