Council adopts amended "right to cooling" measure after debate; change removes 2032 bedroom mandate

The Spokane City Council voted 6–1 to adopt a same-day amendment to the city's "right to cooling" ordinance, a move supporters said preserves a practical compliance path for landlords and tenants while opponents warned it weakened longer-term requirements.

Council member Dylan, the amendment sponsor, said the circulated change removes a provision requiring bedrooms to meet an adequate-cooling standard by 2032 and clarifies that a portable cooling device bought under the ordinance's deductible will remain with the dwelling unit (and therefore with the landlord or property owner rather than the tenant). "It removes that section in its entirety, around bedrooms needing to meet an adequate cooling requirement by 2032," Dylan said during the briefing. He said the portable-device language came from the Multifamily Housing Association to ensure devices stay with the unit.

The amendment also clarifies enforcement and extensions: extensions granted under the ordinance would be limited to increments of no more than two years, with code enforcement complaint-driven and able to grant relief when installation is impractical (for example, in historic buildings or where electrical capacity is limited). Council discussion confirmed a tenant-notice pathway remains in the ordinance, including a 72-hour notice period that can trigger a tenant's ability to supply a portable device as a path to compliance.

Supporters framed the amendment as a pragmatic way to get cooling to people quickly during an especially hot summer. Council member Teles said the change reflects stakeholder input and allows partners such as VISTA and SNAP to move forward with assistance programs now.

Some council members, however, urged caution. One council member questioned the fiscal note and asked whether enforcement costs and climate implications were accurately estimated; staff acknowledged the fiscal note will be updated to reflect the amendment and that removing the longer-term 2032 requirement reduces projected enforcement and program costs.

The motion to suspend the rules so the late amendment could be adopted passed in a preliminary procedural vote; the amendment itself passed on a roll call of 6 in favor, 1 opposed. Council members said there will be further community input before final action on July 29.

What's next: staff said it will update the fiscal note and continue community outreach; final action remains scheduled for the council's July 29 meeting.