Los Angeles just took a big step forward in the fight against extreme heat, LA County leaders passed a “safe maximum temperature threshold” that will require landlords to keep rental units at or below 82 degrees Fahrenheit. For many renters—especially in low-income communities—this is a long-overdue win for climate justice.
As a mom of a 15-month-old and a dog mom, I couldn’t be more relieved. Keeping my home at a livable temperature during LA’s brutal summers is something I think about every single day. The extreme heat we now experience in my neighborhood of East LA makes it more than just a comfort issue—it’s a matter of health and safety.
Over the past 12 years, extreme heat has killed hundreds of people and sent thousands to the hospital in Los Angeles. This new rule aims to prevent those tragedies by ensuring residents can stay safe inside their homes, no matter the temperature outside.
The new policy will take effect 30 days after the August 5 vote, granting tenants the right to install personal cooling devices without fear of eviction or retaliation. While enforcement won't begin until January 1, 2027, landlords will ultimately be responsible for ensuring indoor temperatures do not exceed 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
This protection is a major step—but it can’t be the last. As a mom, a dog owner, and a proud member of the LA community, I know firsthand how urgently we need to protect our neighbors and prepare our city for the reality we’re living in. We need bold, continued action to retrofit our homes, cool our neighborhoods, and build a Los Angeles where everyone—regardless of zip code—can stay safe as climate change accelerates.
By Gigi Singh