Lawrence Code of Ordinances ch. 15.12 § 15.12.150
Heating facilities
Operative Text
A. The owner shall provide and maintain in operating condition the facilities for heating every habitable room, bathroom and toilet compartment to such temperature as required under subsections B. and C. of this section, except and to the extent the occupant is required to do so under a written letting agreement. B. The owner shall supply heat in every habitable room, bathroom and toilet compartment to a temperature of at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. and at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit between 11:01 p.m. and 6:59 a.m. every day other than during the period from June 15 to September 15, both inclusive, in each year, except and to the extent the occupant is required to do so under a written letting agreement. The temperature shall be read at a height of three feet above floor level at any point in the room more than two feet from the inside of every exterior wall. C. Notwithstanding any provision of this section, for each degree below 15 degrees below zero Fahrenheit that the temperature falls, the minimum temperature requirements may likewise be decreased by one degree. D. Space heaters and water heaters, except electrical ones, shall be properly vented to a chimney or duct leading to the outdoors.
Lawrence Code of Ordinances ch. 15.12 § 15.12.150 establishes minimum indoor temperature standards for habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet compartments. Owners are generally responsible for maintaining heating equipment and supplying heat to at least 70°F during daytime hours and 65°F overnight, except during the summer months of June 15 through September 15, though a written lease agreement may shift that duty to the occupant. When outdoor temperatures drop more than 15 degrees below zero Fahrenheit, the required minimums may be reduced by one degree for each additional degree of extreme cold. Non-electrical space heaters and water heaters must be vented to a chimney or outdoor duct.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Lawrence Code of Ordinances ch. 15.12 § 15.12.150, compliant property operators generally ensure that heating systems in all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet compartments are maintained in working order and capable of meeting the prescribed temperature thresholds — at least 70°F from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and at least 65°F overnight — throughout the heating season. Operators who rely on a written letting agreement to transfer heating responsibilities to occupants should ensure that agreement is clearly documented. Any non-electrical space heaters or water heaters installed on the property are typically kept properly vented to a chimney or outdoor duct to satisfy the venting requirement of this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Lawrence Code of Ordinances ch. 15.12 § 15.12.150 gives tenants a basis to expect adequate heat in every habitable room, bathroom, and toilet compartment during the heating season, unless a written lease agreement has specifically assigned that responsibility to the occupant. Temperatures are measured at three feet above floor level and more than two feet from exterior walls, which is relevant when assessing whether a unit meets the required minimums. Tenants who believe heating standards are not being met may consider documenting temperature readings, reviewing their lease for any heating-responsibility clauses, filing a complaint with the appropriate Lawrence housing or code enforcement office, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance on § 15.12.150.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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