Orlando combats urban heat through tree canopy expansion targets, parking-lot shade tree minimums in the Land Development Code, and pavement-cooling pilots in city right-of-way, prioritizing historically underserved neighborhoods identified in equity heat maps.
Orlando's Land Development Code requires shade trees in commercial parking lots, with one tree per defined number of stalls and minimum island sizes. Future Ready Orlando sets a citywide 40% canopy goal, with planting prioritized in neighborhoods showing higher land-surface temperatures. The city has piloted reflective pavement coatings on select streets and installed shade structures at bus stops in partnership with LYNX. Tree Code Chapters 60-61 protect existing canopy by requiring permits for removal of regulated trees, with replacement-inch standards. Heat equity reporting is part of the annual Sustainability dashboard.
Removing parking-lot or street trees without permit triggers replacement-inch fines; site plans missing required shade trees fail LDC review and cannot get certificates of occupancy.
Orlando, FL
Orlando encourages cool roofing through Florida Building Code energy provisions and OUC rebates, but the city does not mandate reflective roofs on private ho...
Orlando, FL
Orlando Tree Code Chapters 60 and 61 protect specified tree species including live oaks, bald cypress, and southern magnolia from removal without permit, wit...
See how Orlando's heat island mitigation rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.