LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The Las Vegas City Council met Wednesday to discuss how a new state law requiring heat mitigation planning will change the city’s master plan.
Assembly Bill 96, which went into effect this month, requires Nevada counties with populations of 100,000 or more to incorporate heat mitigation strategies into their master plans. The law targets increased access to public cooling centers, drinking water, shade, and cool building practices.
Extreme heat already taking lives in Clark County
According to the Southern Nevada Health District, in Clark County, heat-related deaths vary significantly by year, with 284 heat-associated deaths reported in 2025 and a record 513 deaths reported in 2024. At the meeting, officials addressed the “urban heat island” effect, in which concrete replacing natural soils and plants makes some neighborhoods hotter than others.
Mayor Shelley Berkley spoke in support of the effort.
“I’ve never been so enthusiastic about a heat mitigation proposal,” Berkley said.
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Residents describe daily impact of heat
Jessey De Leon, who has lived on the Eastside for 25 years, said the heat affects more than comfort.
Residents also identified shade at bus stops as an ongoing problem, with some stops missing overhead cover.
Cooling centers and library access
Cooling centers such as the East Las Vegas Library are currently serving residents seeking relief. Alejandra Castellanos Mata, assistant branch manager at the East Las Vegas Library, said the location serves a large unhoused population.
“This library is of great importance to the community here. We do have a large unhoused community coming into the branch, being able to access air conditioning as soon as they come in, being able to cool down,” Castellanos Mata said. “For some of our community members, the library provides essential needs that they need, right?”
Next steps for planning and implementation
City leaders said one recommendation is to expand public water access. Officials said they have been using GPS data to map where water fountains already exist near community centers, and are considering adding more fountains near public rights of way. The cost and logistics of bringing water access to those areas have not yet been determined.
The city said it is currently in the first phase of planning, with implementation to follow. Officials said future ordinances — including specific tree requirements to increase shade — could also be considered.
The city also discussed a goal to plant 60,000 trees by 2050. Officials said free trees are still available for select ZIP codes and that more trees are currently available.
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