Under the LA County 82-degree rule, rentals in unincorporated LA County must be able to keep habitable rooms at or below 82°F, with enforcement starting Jan. 1, 2027. Small property landlords get more time: one habitable room by Jan. 1, 2027, and every habitable room by Jan. 1, 2032.
The Board of Supervisors adopted the maximum indoor temperature ordinance in August 2025. It added Section 11.20.475 to the County Code. Here is what owners need to know with seven weeks to go.
Who does the LA County 82-degree rule apply to?
The rule covers rental housing in the unincorporated areas of LA County. It also applies in any city that adopts the entire ordinance.
It does not cover a rental just because it has an LA address. If your property sits inside an incorporated city, that city’s rules apply instead.
Does it apply in the City of Los Angeles?
Not yet. On Feb. 17, 2026, the LA City Council voted unanimously to move forward a motion to explore opting into the county rule (Council File 25-1036). As of early October 2026, the city had not adopted an ordinance, and department reports were still pending.
So a unit in Downtown LA, Hollywood or West Adams is not covered today. That could change, so city owners should plan ahead.
Compliance dates at a glance
| Landlord type | By Jan. 1, 2027 | By Jan. 1, 2032 |
|---|---|---|
| Small property landlord | At least one habitable room at or below 82°F | All habitable rooms |
| All other landlords | All habitable rooms | Already required |
Enforcement starts on Jan. 1, 2027, or when the County approves the related per-unit fee, whichever is later.
Who counts as a small property landlord?
The ordinance uses the definition in County Code Chapter 8.52. Per the DCBA rent increase bulletin, you qualify if any one of these is true:
- You receive a Homeowners’ Property Tax Exemption on the property with the rental unit.
- You control one rental property with no more than 10 units.
- You control no more than three rental properties with 10 units or fewer combined, including properties outside LA County.
How is the 82 degrees measured?
The temperature is measured 3 feet above the floor in the center of each habitable room. Bathrooms, closets, pantries and storage spaces are not habitable rooms.
Do landlords have to install air conditioning?
No. The rule sets a temperature standard, not a required appliance. Owners can meet it with passive cooling such as shades and blinds, with fans, or with portable cooling devices. Portable devices include portable air conditioners, evaporative coolers and window units.
6 steps to prepare before Jan. 1, 2027
- Confirm the jurisdiction. Check whether each property is in an incorporated city or unincorporated County land.
- Confirm your landlord category. Use the three small property landlord tests above.
- Find the hot rooms. On a hot afternoon, take readings 3 feet up in the center of each habitable room.
- Pick a cooling method. Start with shades, blinds, fans and portable units, then consider mechanical upgrades where those fall short.
- Ask for more time if needed. If portable or non-mechanical methods cannot do the job, apply in writing to the Department of Public Health for up to two extra years.
- Keep records. Save readings, receipts and tenant notices for each unit.
Can landlords pass the cost to tenants?
Not for a portable cooling device. For fully covered units under the County’s rent stabilization ordinance, installing one to meet the 82-degree standard is not a capital improvement and cannot be passed through.
What renters can do now
Since September 2025, tenants may add a portable or non-mechanical cooling method themselves. They must give the landlord 5 calendar days’ written notice first, except for a portable electric fan. Tenants own the equipment they buy and are responsible for damage their installation causes. Landlords may not retaliate against or harass a tenant for using these rights.
FAQ
Does the 82-degree rule require central air conditioning?
No. Landlords can meet the standard with passive cooling, fans or portable cooling devices. The goal is that each covered room can stay at or below 82°F.
Does the LA County 82-degree rule apply to a rental in Downtown LA?
Not as of Nov. 10, 2026. Downtown LA is in the City of Los Angeles, which has voted to explore opting in but has not adopted the ordinance.
When does enforcement of the 82-degree rule start?
Enforcement starts on Jan. 1, 2027, or when the County approves the related fee, whichever is later. The Department of Public Health plans an education-first, complaint-based approach.
Plan ahead with Studio B
Studio B DTLA manages residential and commercial rentals across Los Angeles. If you want help reviewing your units for the 82-degree rule, call us at (424) 367-3670 or reach us through our contact page. You can also read about our property maintenance and inspections service.
This post is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change, so check the LA County Department of Public Health or an attorney about your property.