LA County's cooling ordinance (LACC §11.20.475) requires landlords to ensure each habitable room in a rental unit can maintain 82°F or lower during hot weather. The ordinance was enacted September 2025 with enforcement beginning January 2027 for larger landlords, phased in through 2032 for smaller landlords.
If your property is subject to the ordinance — or if you want to get ahead of it — the practical question is: what installation options actually qualify, and how do you size the equipment for your unit?
What qualifies as compliant cooling
The ordinance is performance-based, not equipment-specific. It requires the ability to maintain temperature — not any particular type of cooling system. Several options can satisfy the requirement:
Central air conditioning. Whole-unit ducted system. Cools multiple rooms simultaneously. Most expensive to install (typically $8,000-$20,000+ per unit) but tends to be the highest tenant satisfaction option and works well for larger units.
Ductless mini-split systems. Individual air handlers in each room served, connected to an outdoor condenser. Effective for retrofit installations where ductwork isn't feasible. Typically $3,500-$8,000 per unit depending on head count.
Window air conditioning units. Individual units installed in windows or through-wall sleeves. Least expensive option ($200-$600 per unit). Can be landlord-provided as permanent fixtures.
Portable air conditioning units. Freestanding units with exhaust hoses. Least effective option for meeting the standard because they typically cool only the room they're in and require ongoing tenant operation.
Evaporative coolers ("swamp coolers"). Effective in dry heat but not consistent enough in LA's varied climate to reliably meet the 82°F standard on humid days. Not recommended as a primary compliance solution.
The compliance question isn't which type — it's whether the installed system can actually maintain 82°F or lower under peak summer conditions in your specific unit.
Landlord-provided vs. tenant-provided cooling
The ordinance requires the landlord to ensure the capability. Whether the landlord installs and maintains the equipment, or the tenant does, is a lease structure question:
Landlord-provided. Landlord installs, owns, and maintains cooling equipment. Included in the tenancy. Landlord bears the cost of replacement and repair. This is the cleanest compliance path — the equipment is under landlord control and its function is demonstrable.
Tenant-provided. Landlord permits tenant to install cooling equipment. The lease should specifically allow this and address responsibility for installation, damage, removal at end of tenancy, and any impact on the unit's condition. But the landlord still bears the compliance obligation — if the tenant's equipment fails, the landlord may not have discharged their duty under the ordinance.
Conservative practice: landlord-provided cooling is safer for compliance. Tenant-provided leaves gaps that could create landlord liability.
Sizing cooling equipment for your unit
Cooling capacity is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units) per hour. Undersized equipment can't maintain temperature during peak heat. Oversized equipment cycles inefficiently and can leave rooms humid.
A rough sizing guide:
Square footage-based estimate. For LA climate (moderate humidity, high summer temperatures), plan on approximately 20 BTU per square foot as a starting point. So a 500 sq ft studio needs roughly 10,000 BTU of cooling capacity. A 900 sq ft two-bedroom needs roughly 18,000 BTU total.
Adjustments to the baseline.
- High ceilings (over 8 ft): add 10% per foot over 8
- Sun-facing rooms (south/west exposure): add 10-15%
- Multiple occupants (over 2): add ~600 BTU per additional occupant
- Poor insulation or single-pane windows: add 15-20%
- Shaded rooms: subtract 10%
- Kitchen with regular cooking: add 4,000 BTU
Common unit sizes.
- Studio (400-600 sq ft): 8,000-12,000 BTU
- 1BR (600-900 sq ft): 12,000-18,000 BTU
- 2BR (900-1,300 sq ft): 18,000-24,000 BTU
- 3BR (1,300+ sq ft): 24,000+ BTU
Electrical considerations.
Cooling equipment needs adequate electrical service. A typical central AC unit for a 2BR runs 3.5-4 tons capacity, which needs a dedicated 30-amp 240-volt circuit. Window units under 12,000 BTU can run on standard 15-20 amp 120-volt circuits, but larger window units need dedicated circuits.
Before installation, verify:
- Panel amperage is adequate for the added load
- Wiring supports the required amperage without upgrades
- Dedicated circuits are available or can be added
- HVAC contractor confirms electrical compatibility
Older buildings often have inadequate electrical service for modern cooling equipment. Panel upgrades can add $2,000-$5,000+ to installation costs.
Documentation for compliance
Once you install cooling equipment, keep records that demonstrate compliance:
- Equipment specifications (make, model, BTU capacity)
- Installation records with date, contractor information, and permit records if applicable
- Manufacturer specifications showing capability to maintain design temperature
- Service and maintenance records
- Temperature verification during hot weather (some landlords perform annual checks in July or August)
If a tenant complains that the cooling doesn't work adequately, your documentation is your first line of defense. Missing records make it easier for tenants to assert non-compliance.
Timing considerations
For most LA landlords, cooling installation should happen well before the peak summer months. September-February is the practical window for larger installations because contractors are less booked and installations happen before you need the equipment operational.
If you're getting ahead of the ordinance enforcement:
- Larger landlords (11+ units): enforcement starts January 2027 for LA County unincorporated areas. Plan installations to complete during 2026.
- Smaller landlords (10 or fewer units): phased enforcement extends through 2032. But acting sooner has business benefits (tenant satisfaction, retention, marketing) beyond compliance timing.
The LA City ordinance is separate and may have different timing when adopted. Verify your specific jurisdiction and phase-in schedule.
The practical bottom line
Meeting the cooling requirement has flexible implementation but requires actual capacity to maintain 82°F. Central AC is the highest-quality option; ductless mini-splits are the best retrofit compromise; window units are the most affordable but may not meet the standard in larger or sun-exposed units.
Size equipment for your specific unit conditions (not just square footage), verify electrical capacity supports the equipment, and document installation and operation. Landlord-provided cooling with proper documentation is the safest compliance path.
For sizing questions specific to your unit, consult a licensed HVAC contractor. They'll perform a Manual J load calculation that accounts for insulation, window quality, orientation, and other factors that affect actual cooling load. This is more precise than the square-footage estimates above and worth the professional cost for larger installations.