The Monte Sereno City Council is considering the possibility of prohibiting gas-powered leaf blowers within the City and is seeking feedback from residents on this topic.
Current Requirements: Currently, there are no restrictions of the type of leaf blower used; however, the hours of operation of leaf blowers are limited as follows:
When used by a Contractor | When used by a Homeowner |
Mondays - Fridays, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Saturdays, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Not allowed on Sundays or Public Holidays | Mondays - Fridays: No Limit Saturdays: No Limit Sundays or Public Holidays, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm |
Additionally, the maximum noise level allowed for a backpack-mounted mechanical leaf blower is 65 dB; for a handheld mechanical leaf blower, it is 70 dB. These noise levels are measured at 50 feet from the equipment.
Smog-Forming Emissions from Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers
According to the California Air Resources Board, the volume of smog-forming emissions from gas-powered leaf blowers, lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, edgers, and other small off-road engines (SORE) has surpassed emissions from light-duty passenger cars and is projected to be nearly twice those of passenger cars by 2031. A commercial operator using a backpack leaf blower for one hour generates the same smog-forming emissions as a car driving 1,100 miles.
California Air Resources Board Clean Off-Road Equipment (CORE) Voucher Incentive Program
Senate Bill 170 appropriated $27 million to the California Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE) to provide incentives for professional landscape services in California operated by a small business or sole proprietor. These funds are intended to purchase qualifying zero-emission professional landscape service equipment. CORE does not require scrappage of existing internal combustion engines.
Learn more about the California Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE).
GAS-POWERED LEAF BLOWER SURVEY
Survey ends on June 30, 2023
