Phoenix, AZ Environmental Rules: Heat Island Mitigation (2026)

Phoenix established the Office of Heat Response and Mitigation in 2021, the first such municipal office in the United States, and adopted the Heat Action Plan in 2023. The plan targets 25 percent tree-canopy coverage citywide (currently around 9 to 12 percent), expands the Cool Pavement Program, requires cool roofs on city facilities, and coordinates with Maricopa County Department of Public Health on cooling centers and heat-fatality tracking. During declared heat events, libraries, senior centers, and recreation facilities serve as Heat Relief Network sites with extended hours. The Office of Heat Response also funds shade-structure pilots at bus stops and runs the Cool Corridors program planting shade trees along high-walked streets in underserved areas.