Tucson pairs CAAP heat-mitigation targets with Unified Development Code shade and landscaping rules requiring tree canopy in parking lots, pedestrian shade along commercial frontages, and cool-surface choices in new development.
Under UDC Article 7 (Landscaping and Screening) and Article 5 (Streetscape), parking lots over a threshold size must provide interior shade trees achieving a defined percentage of canopy cover at maturity, and primary pedestrian streets require continuous shade from trees, awnings, or shade structures. Sonoran-adapted species are favored to reduce irrigation. The CAAP layers extreme-heat preparedness, cooling-center coordination, and a Tucson Million Trees initiative on top of these code requirements. Compliance is checked at site-plan review by Planning and Development Services.
Site plans failing to meet shade or canopy ratios are denied at review. Post-occupancy removal of required trees or shade structures triggers UDC enforcement orders and replacement obligations.
Tucson, AZ
Tucson's Department of Transportation and Mobility runs a cool-pavement pilot applying reflective coatings to selected residential streets to lower surface t...
Tucson, AZ
Tucson's Native Plant Preservation Ordinance requires inventory, salvage, and replacement of Sonoran Desert protected native plants — including saguaros, iro...
See how Tucson's heat island mitigation rules stack up against other locations.
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