The change does not immediately require every property owner, developer or neighborhood to install trees, shade structures, cooling equipment or drinking-water stations. It requires heat mitigation to be addressed in the conservation element of covered master plans. The next steps will determine which ideas become ordinances, design standards, public projects or budget requests.

What Assembly Bill 96 requires

Assembly Bill 96 was approved June 3, 2025. It applies to counties with populations of 100,000 or more, including Clark County and Washoe County, and requires covered master plans to include a heat-mitigation plan.

The law lists strategies such as access to public cooling spaces, public drinking water, cool-building practices and shade over paved surfaces. Shade may include structures and urban tree canopies, with a preference for native or drought-tolerant species.

The statute addresses master-plan content and local planning responsibilities. It does not, by itself, establish a citywide construction schedule, fund new facilities or create automatic tree requirements for private property.

What Las Vegas is considering

In a July 2026 discussion, Las Vegas officials considered mapping existing drinking fountains near community centers and evaluating additional fountains near public rights of way. The city also discussed cooling centers, shade access and the possibility of future tree-related ordinances.

FOX5 Las Vegas reported that the city remains in the first phase of planning, with implementation to follow. Officials have not finalized the cost, locations or logistics for additional water access, and no final tree mandate was adopted through the discussion described in that report.

Existing city targets include more trees and shade

Las Vegas’ urban-forestry materials connect heat planning to the city’s 2050 Master Plan. The plan identifies long-term targets of 20% tree canopy by 2035, 25% by 2050 and 60,000 new trees on public and private land. It also identifies broader goals for access to green infrastructure.

Those figures are planning targets, not completed results. The urban-forestry materials describe mapping, planting plans and priority areas as tools for future implementation.

Why the issue matters locally

Heat is a public-health and access issue in Clark County, not only a landscaping concern. FOX5 cited Southern Nevada Health District figures showing 284 heat-associated deaths in Clark County in 2025 and a record 513 in 2024. Residents and officials also identified exposed bus stops, large paved areas and limited shade as practical problems.

Libraries and other public buildings can serve as cooling resources, particularly for people without reliable air conditioning or stable housing. Future planning decisions could affect where shade, drinking water, cooling spaces and heat-conscious building practices are prioritized.

What residents should watch next

The main unresolved questions are the final language of Las Vegas’ heat plan, whether new ordinances or design standards will be proposed, how projects would be funded and which city departments or regional agencies would be responsible for implementation.

As of July 26, 2026, the city’s upcoming-agenda page did not list a heat-mitigation adoption item. Residents, developers, renters, commuters and neighborhood groups should watch future planning and zoning notices, City Council agendas and public hearings for proposed standards or funding decisions.

Sources

• Nevada Assembly Bill 96
• FOX5 Las Vegas reporting
• City of Las Vegas 2050 Master Plan materials