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Spokane council debates ordinance to require indoor cooling for renters, members seek clearer enforcement and cost details
Summary
Council member Dylan proposed an ordinance to add an indoor cooling standard (bedroom temperatures not to exceed 80°F) to Spokane's habitability code; council discussion focused on enforcement, measurement, exemptions for new construction and potential costs for landlords and tenants.
Council member Dylan proposed an ordinance to add a renters' right to cooling to Spokane's habitability code, setting a maximum indoor bedroom temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit and creating complaint‑driven enforcement under existing code. Dylan told the council the measure builds on recent state law and on local work by the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Board.
The ordinance would exempt units permitted after Jan. 1, 2027, and make the city's ordinance effective in 2031, a timeline Dylan said was intended to allow time for implementation and alignment with state rules. Dylan said the measure is agnostic about cooling methods, allowing passive strategies (shade, ventilation, insulation) or mechanical…
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