WashingtonWashington law lets renters install portable cooling devices
Renters and mobile home park tenants may install portable air conditioners or heat pumps, subject to safety, damage, and electrical limits.
What it does
Renters may choose a portable air conditioner or heat pump, and landlords generally cannot charge a fee to install, inspect, or use it. Listed safety, damage, power, and insurance limits apply.
Mobile home park tenants may choose a portable air conditioner or heat pump, unless it would break safety rules, cause unreasonable damage, or exceed available electrical service.
Argument forRenters may avoid extra fees for using, installing, or having a device inspected, which could make portable cooling easier to afford.
Argument againstSome renters may have fewer cooling choices when a landlord restricts a device because of safety, damage, power, or documented insurance limits.
More detail
Landlords must generally allow tenants to install a portable cooling device they choose. This applies to tenants in rental housing and covers air conditioners and portable heat pumps, including window and floor models. Landlords may restrict any device if the home already has a permanently installed, working heat pump, or if the device would break a law or its written safety instructions, cause unreasonable damage, make the home unlivable, or exceed available electrical service. For window-mounted devices, landlords may also restrict installation if it would block an exit, prevent a window from locking, risk falling, require excessive hardware, or violate an insurance policy when the landlord gives the tenant written proof. Landlords may require drainage to prevent damage, and may require an inspection or servicing after installation. Tenants must give at least two days' notice before installing a window-mounted device.
Mobile home park landlords must generally allow tenants to install a portable cooling device they choose. This applies to tenants in mobile home parks and covers air conditioners and portable heat pumps, including window and floor models. A landlord may restrict a device if it would break building codes or other laws, violate the maker's written safety instructions, cause unreasonable damage, or need more electrical service than the park or lot can supply.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 24Effective date 6/11/2026.Latest
- Mar 24Chapter 184, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 24Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 12Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 11Speaker signed.Major
- Mar 11President signed.Passed House
- Mar 10Passed final passage; yeas, 37; nays, 12; absent, 0; excused, 0.Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Final Passage as Amended by the House (#22). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 10Senate concurred in House amendments.
- Mar 3Third reading, passed; yeas, 65; nays, 28; absent, 0; excused, 5.Minor
- Vote recorded Final Passage as Amended by the House (#20). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 3Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 3Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.
- Mar 2Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 25Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Feb 24Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Feb 24HOUS - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).Minor
- Feb 24Executive action taken in the House Committee on Housing at 4:00 PM.
- Feb 23Public hearing in the House Committee on Housing at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 19First reading, referred to Housing.Minor
- Feb 17Third reading, passed; yeas, 35; nays, 14; absent, 0; excused, 0.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#13). Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 17Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 17Floor amendment(s) adopted.
- Feb 171st substitute bill substituted (HSG 26).Major
- Feb 12Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Feb 4Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Feb 4Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Feb 4HSG - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Feb 4Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Housing at 10:30 AM.
- Jan 30Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Housing at 10:30 AM.
- Jan 23Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Housing at 10:30 AM.
- Jan 16First reading, referred to Housing.Introduced
Housing