As climate change fuels hotter summers and more extreme heat events, Toronto is taking steps to protect tenants in apartments without air conditioning. The city’s planning and housing committee approved a staff report on Thursday, recommending adoption of the city’s first maximum heat bylaw, aimed at reducing health risks.

City law mandates a minimum temperature of 21 C in winter but lacks a similar rule for cooling in summer. While air-conditioned apartments must stay below 26 C, this standard doesn’t apply to units without air conditioning.

The proposed bylaw, which will go before city council on Dec. 17, would require landlords to maintain indoor temperatures in rental units below 27 C. If approved, the regulation will take effect on April 30, 2025, in time for summer.