Your Right to Cooling as a Portland Tenant

When temperatures spike in Portland, many renters discover a frustrating reality: their homes can feel hotter inside than outside. Older buildings, limited airflow, and a lack of built-in cooling systems can quickly turn a living space into an uncomfortable—and sometimes unsafe—environment. As heat waves become more frequent, understanding your right to cooling as a tenant is no longer optional. It’s essential.

Fortunately, Oregon law has evolved to address these concerns. There are now clear protections that allow tenants to take steps to cool their homes, along with new requirements for certain landlords to provide cooling. Many renters are unaware of these rights, which can lead to unnecessary discomfort or even disputes with property owners. This guide breaks down what you need to know to stay safe and informed.

What Counts as “Extreme Heat”?

Before we dive into the specifics of Portland tenants’ right to cooling, let’s address a common question we hear: what counts as “extreme heat”?

While the law does not always define a precise temperature threshold in every situation, Oregon has previously used the NOAA definition of extreme heat: “A period of abnormally hot and dangerous temperatures, with or without high humidities, that can result in negative impacts to people, animals, and infrastructure.” The most important aspect is that the temperature poses a health risk. To comply with the law and protect their renters, landlords should consider any period with a heat advisory or extended high temperatures as justification to act in their tenants’ interests.

Understanding Oregon’s Cooling Protections

One of the most important laws tenants should know about is Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 90.355, which sprang from the passage of SB 1536 in 2022. This statute details a tenant’s right to cooling uses appliances like a portable air conditioner under certain conditions.

In extreme heat conditions, tenants may install a portable cooling unit in their dwelling even if their lease would normally prohibit it. This is a significant protection, especially because builders never designed many older buildings in Portland’s classic neighborhoods with central air conditioning.

In practical terms, this means:

• Landlords cannot unreasonably deny a tenant’s request to install a portable AC unit during periods of dangerous heat.
• Tenants must still follow reasonable safety and installation requirements.
• The unit must not cause damage to the property or create a hazard (such as an improperly secured window unit).

Among additional limitations relating to safety and legality, landlords may also require that their designated agents install or service the units, and that tenants remove them from October to April.

The Cooling Portland Program

In addition to statewide protections, Portland has taken steps to support at-risk tenants through the Cooling Portland program. This initiative is designed to help low-income residents access portable cooling units at no cost, using funds from the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF).

Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations, the program distributes portable air conditioners and other cooling resources to those who need them most. The program aims to prioritize at-risk tenants defined as “seniors, those living alone, and those with medical conditions that may be worsened in extreme heat,” but anyone can call 311 to be connected to available resources and eligibility information.
This program has become an essential lifeline during heat waves, particularly for residents who may not be able to afford cooling equipment on their own.

Looking Forward: What New AC Laws are Coming?

Though we cannot predict the future, the scope of legislation both active and failed provides clues to what laws may be coming around the corner. Let’s look at Senate Bill 54 (SB 54), a failed piece of 2025 legislation which would have required certain multifamily buildings with 10 or more units to provide cooling when outdoor temperatures exceed 80°F.

An interesting facet of SB 54’s proposed methods of cooling was the section which would have required landlords to provide access to a community cooling space. It’s possible we may see similar proposals emerge in future legislation as a compromise between the financial hardship property owners would face by upgrading buildings without AC, and the need for tenants to stay safe and comfortable during heat events.

Another factor in SB 54’s proposals was that exemptions for smaller properties with fewer than 10 units would cease after 2036, at which point all rental properties would have to provide cooling.
So what does this dead bill tell us about what to expect in Portland’s legal future? Stricter requirements for cooling in multi-family properties, the option to provide a community cooling space, and restrictions that will continue to tighten as years go on may all appear in future legislation. Rental property owners looking to stay ahead of the curve might consider laying the groundwork for enhanced cooling in their buildings before it is required by law.

Responsibilities for Tenants and Landlords Alike

The focus of most legislation is on a tenant’s right to cooling in their homes. However, tenants have some legal responsibilities too when it comes to installing and using AC units.

Tenants should:

• Ensure the unit is installed according to manufacturer guidelines.
• Avoid causing damage to windows, walls, or electrical systems.
• Use safe extension cords or outlets appropriate for the unit’s power needs.
• Communicate with their landlord when required by lease terms or law.

For landlords, staying informed about these laws is essential and requires constant diligence in our ever-changing legal landscape. Failure to comply with cooling protections can lead to disputes, legal complications, and reputational harm.

Landlords should:

• Review lease agreements to keep them up to date with current laws.
• Respond reasonably to tenant requests for cooling installations.
• Avoid blanket prohibitions that conflict with ORS 90.355.
• Prepare for SB 54 requirements if managing larger buildings.

Overall, taking a proactive approach will save you time and headaches when temperatures start to rise.

Keep a Cool Head in Portland’s Hot Market

As the shape of rental businesses in Portland continues to evolve, our team at Rent Portland Homes Darla Andrew’s Office is committing to helping both tenants and property owners navigate these changes with confidence. Cooling is no longer optional, and ensuring access to it is a responsibility we all share.

For years we’ve been helping Portland landlords structure their businesses for resilience and long-term profits even in the face of changing requirements. If you want help making sure your rental business can take the heat, don’t hesitate to reach out by phone at (503) 515-3170 or through our website’s contact portal.