New Westminster Becomes First in Metro Vancouver to Mandate Landlord Cooling: Rentals Must Stay Below 26°C

On June 8, 2026, New Westminster City Council officially passed an amendment requiring landlords and property owners to prevent occupied rental units from exceeding dangerous heat levels. The bylaw mandates that at least one living space in each rental unit must be maintained at or below 26°C between the hours of 8 p.m. and 8 a.m., covering the period from April 1 through October 31. This regulatory change follows the catastrophic 2021 heat dome, during which 619 British Columbians died from heat-related causes, including 33 deaths in New Westminster alone. While the BC Building Code now requires cooling systems in new residential construction, this bylaw specifically targets the existing rental stock that remains vulnerable to extreme temperatures.