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Bill

SB 655

Dwelling units: indoor temperature.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lisa Calderon and 2 co-sponsors

California establishes minimum indoor temperature requirements for residential units to protect tenant habitability and health, effective statewide with potential compliance costs and regional implementation challenges.

Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 522, Statutes of 2025.
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Bill Summary · SB 655

Legislative bill overview

SB 655 establishes minimum indoor temperature requirements for residential dwelling units in California, likely setting standards for habitability and tenant protections. The bill was introduced by Henry Stern, Matt Haney, and Lisa Calderon and was signed into law in October 2025. It became Chapter 522 of the 2025 Statutes.

Why is this important

Housing habitability standards directly affect tenant health, safety, and living conditions, particularly for low-income renters who may lack leverage to demand adequate heating. Temperature requirements can influence both tenant protections and landlord compliance costs, making this a significant tenant-landlord policy issue with potential implications for rental housing availability and affordability.

Potential points of contention

  • Landlord compliance costs: Requiring temperature maintenance may impose substantial retrofit or operational expenses on property owners, potentially passed to tenants through rent increases
  • Regional climate variations: A single statewide temperature standard may not account for California's diverse climates, creating impractical requirements for naturally warm regions or excessive costs in cooler areas
  • Enforcement mechanisms: The bill's effectiveness depends on how violations are monitored, reported, and penalized, raising questions about enforcement resources and tenant reporting protections

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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