Spokane’s New Right to Cooling | Spokane News

Spokane News Today | 2 Min | The Daily News Now! · Jul 30, 2026 · 1m

Spokane just passed a bold new law: the “right to cooling” ordinance, mandating landlords provide at least one adequately cooled room in every rental to protect tenants from deadly heat. Born from the trauma of the 2021 heat dome that killed 14, the law balances public health with landlord concerns—softening earlier strict temperature rules to focus on avoiding harm. Critics worry about vague definitions and legal battles, while landlords grumble about costs, though some applaud the compromise. Tenants have options if landlords fail to comply: break the lease or pay for their own cooling unit…