Reno is currently the fastest-warming city in the U.S., according to Climate Central. Scientists say a key solution to help cool the city is additional trees. City leaders are now working to put a cooling plan into action through updates to an existing tree ordinance in the Municipal Code.
The updates would help protect existing trees and vegetation throughout the city and increase the overall number of trees as a way to mitigate heat, especially in the urban core.
“Often the urban core is the hottest due to the heat island effect. Essentially, heat tends to stay in the concrete, the asphalt, the sidewalks, and then gets radiated during the night.
“That's why the summer nights have gotten so hot,” said Naomi Duerr, Reno City Councilwoman for Ward 2.
Shade provided by trees can decrease temperatures by up to ten degrees, according to the same study by Climate Central, and help prevent the heat island effect.
Right now, only about 5% of Reno is shaded by trees, but the updated ordinance has a goal of 15%.
If approved, the first phase would focus on public property and city-owned trees. Phase two would deal with requiring developments to manage trees in a way that would support their protection and increase the number of trees throughout the area.
“It's really important that we're making sure that we're doing that thoughtfully. And we're thinking, you know, towards the future as far as making sure that we're doing things now to maintain and grow our canopy,” said Matt Basile, an Urban Forester for the City of Reno.
To view the existing ordinance and the proposed updates, go here: Reno, NV Parks and Recreation.
The public may also provide feedback about the ordinance and the proposed updates through the same link.
The City is also holding two informational meetings, where the public can share additional feedback.
The first is on July 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the McKinley Arts Center. The link to attend virtually is here: https://links.reno.gov/RUFC-07-15-2026.
The second meeting will take place July 23 from 12 to 2 p.m. online only. The link to join is: https://links.reno.gov/Title8-RMC-PublicWorkshop-07-23-26.
