Press Release: Washington Legislature Protects Tenants’ Right to Install Portable Cooling Devices with ESSB 6200
MEDIA CONTACT:
Erika Lundahl
Communications Manager
Spark Northwest
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington Legislature Protects Tenants’
Right to Install Portable Cooling Devices with ESSB 6200
March 25, 2026, Olympia, WA— On March 24, Governor Ferguson signed into law ESSB 6200 “Concerning renters' and mobile home occupants' ability to install portable cooling devices.” The legislation ensures the right to install and use portable cooling devices in rental units. The bill passed the House with 65 Pros and 28 Cons—and is being hailed a win by housing justice, health professionals, community organizers and clean energy advocates across Washington.
ESSB 6200 explicitly protects tenants’ ability to use and install portable cooling devices. Inspired by a 2022 law in Oregon, ESSB 6200 represents a practical, public health–oriented response to rising temperatures and climate-related risk. The bill affirms that access to cooling is a matter of safety and habitability.
Learn More about WA ESSB 6200: Text / Legislative page
The Issue: Despite the growing threat of extreme heat across Washington, many tenants have still been prohibited from installing portable air conditioners and heat pumps—leaving residents vulnerable during dangerous heat events. The catastrophic heat dome of 2021 caused 441 excess deaths, as described in reports from Washington and British Columbia. Most who died in 2021 were at home, without access to cooling. Extreme weather continues to cause death and serious illness and wildfires are making matters even worse. Tenants, elders, infants, children, people with chronic illnesses, and low-income households are especially vulnerable. Housing justice, health professionals, community organizers and clean energy advocates expressed enthusiasm for the bill’s passing:
James Moschella, Climate and Health Policy Manager for Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, said: “We're incredibly grateful to the legislature for working with health professionals and taking a crucial step towards a Washington where everyone can be protected against the significant health risks associated with extreme heat.”
"ESSB 6200 is an important first step to empowering tenants in Washington State as they face our new climate reality.” said Carl Nelson, of the Cedar Crossing Tenants Association. “In addition to the lives this legislation will undoubtedly save, it also sets an important precedent for the kind of human value rental housing must provide before we allow it to exist as a financial asset.”
John Seng, Policy Manager for Spark Northwest, a regional clean energy nonprofit focused on an equitable energy transition, said: “The inclusion of saddle-type or ‘u-shaped’ portable heat pumps lays the foundation for tenants to lower their bills, cut their energy use, and access affordable cooling. With smart planning and grant funding we can follow in the footsteps of cities like New York, where multifamily buildings are being successfully retrofitted with saddle-type heat pumps.”
“The Housing Alliance knows that this bill will save lives and we applaud the legislature for passing it.” said Michele Thomas, Director of Policy and Advocacy for the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance. “This bill will ensure that renter households can use a portable cooling device without the threat of eviction or junk fees.”
The bill’s prime Senate sponsor was Senator Vandana Slatter. The bill was supported by 10 cosponsors, and a coalition of 15 groups.
“The 2021 heat dome was one of the deadliest weather events in state history and rising temperatures and extreme heat are becoming a more frequent public health risk,” said Senator Slatter. “Portable cooling devices are often the only option for renters to keep their homes cool during extreme heat events, yet landlords are currently able to prohibit these devices.”
Representative Sharlett Mena introduced related legislation in the House (HB 2265) and has been a leading advocate for tenants’ rights to cooling access. “Allowing tenants to install portable cooling devices is a simple, commonsense step to protect people’s health and safety.” Said Mena. “No one should be prevented from doing whatever is necessary during a heat wave to stay safe in their home.”
Kimberly Loewen, Associate Director of Policy for Elevate, said: "It was great to be part of the collaborative effort across legislators and coalition members that made this win happen. This is a good step forward for renters in Washington to be safe in their own homes. With increased heat and wildfires, indoor temperatures and air quality have become a health and habitability issue."
This bill will yield benefits all across the state. According to Professor Brian G. Henning of Gonzaga University’s Institute for Climate, Water, and the Environment, “Extreme heat affects us all, but renters are among the most vulnerable. In our climate changed world, this can be the difference between life and death.”
For more information about ESSB 6200, visit: SafeandCoolWA.org.
Full Statements from Key Bill Advocates and Sponsors
Senator Vandana Slatter: “The 2021 heat dome was one of the deadliest weather events in state history and rising temperatures and extreme heat are becoming a more frequent public health risk. Portable cooling devices are often the only option for renters to keep their homes cool during extreme heat events, yet landlords are currently able to prohibit these devices. Senate Bill 6200 will ensure renters are allowed to protect their health using safe, portable air conditioning units, while also guaranteeing property owners are protected from liability. This bill will help safeguard tenant safety and their right to keep their homes cool."
Representative Sharlett Mene: “The devastating 2021 heat dome showed us how deadly extreme heat can be, especially for renters, seniors, and low-income families. Allowing tenants to install portable cooling devices is a simple, commonsense step to protect people’s health and safety. No one should be prevented from doing whatever is necessary during a heat wave to stay safe in their home.”
James Moschella, Climate and Health Policy Manager for Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility: “We're incredibly grateful to the legislature for working with health professionals and taking a crucial step towards a Washington where everyone can be protected against the significant health risks associated with extreme heat. We've seen firsthand how access to cooling can help save lives. This bill offers a pathway to save many more.”
John Seng, Policy Manager for Spark Northwest: “We are lucky to have champions in Olympia like Senator Slatter who are working for tenants rights, health and clean energy.”
Michele Thomas, Director of Policy and Advocacy for the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance: “The Housing Alliance knows that this bill will save lives and we applaud the legislature for passing it. Renters are too often left without adequate cooling options and as our environment continues to heat up, this bill will ensure that renter households can use a portable cooling device without the threat of eviction or junk fees.”
Kimberly Loewen, Associate Director of Policy for Elevate: "It was great to be part of the collaborative effort across legislators and coalition members that made this win happen. This is a good step forward for renters in Washington to be safe in their own homes. With increased heat and wildfires, indoor temperatures and air quality have become a health and habitability issue. We now need these efforts to continue as there's much more to be done in addressing renter’s inclusion in the needed transition to more clean, affordable, and efficient heating and cooling in everyone’s home."
Professor Brian G. Henning of Gonzaga University’s Institute for Climate, Water, and the Environment: “Extreme heat affects us all, but renters are among the most vulnerable. This important bill does at a state level what we did in Spokane in 2024. It ensures that no landlord can prohibit a tenant from install life-saving cooling devices. In our climate changed world, this can be the difference between life and death.”
Violet Lavatai, Executive Director of Tenant Organizers and Advocates
“ESSB 6200 is a practical step to protect Washington renters during extreme heat. No one should be prevented from keeping their home safely cool; cooling isn’t a luxury—it’s a safety issue. Washington tenants deserve the right to protect themselves from dangerous heat.”
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About Safe and Cool Washington
Safe and Cool Washington are advocates, activists, and experts with backgrounds in tenants’ rights, sustainable building, affordable housing, public health, clean energy, LGBTQIA+ organizing, and more. Our mission is simple: We want to ensure that all Washingtonians are safe and cool through extreme heat events. More at SafeandCoolWA.org ____________________________________________________________________________
STEERING COMMITTEE
Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, Elevate and Spark Northwest
ENDORSEMENTS
Washington State Community Action Partnership, Washington Conservation Action, Measurement, Housing Our Neighbors, Queer Power Alliance, Sierra Club, ShiftZero, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, Front and Centered, O’Brien360, 350 Spokane, 350 WA