Leafblower laws – Providence Noise Project

U.S. Jurisdictions with Regulations on Gas-Fueled Leafblowers

New England: CT • MA • ME • NH • RI • VT Northeast: NY • NJ • PA
Mid-Atlantic: DC • DE • MD • VA Southeast: FL • GA • KY • NC Mid-West: IL • KS • MI • MN
Southwest: AR • AZ • CO • TX • UT West Coast: CA • HI • OR • WA

The information below is updated by volunteers and is a work in progress.¹ Jurisdictions with unconfirmed
regulations are italicized, partial regulations are underlined, and those with full prohibitions are in bold.

ARIZONA — https://azdeq.gov/LeafBlowersUsage

Goodyear — Regulates gas-fueled leafblowers
Phoenix — Maricopa County restricts the use of leafblowers on high-pollution days.
Scottsdale — Restricts the use of gas-powered leafblowers by time of day and location, under state statute 49-457.01, which addresses air quality.

ARKANSAS

Benton (2021) — Proposed nuisance ordinance
Conway — Regulates noise levels and the use of gas-fueled lawn equipment, including leafblowers.
Pine Bluff — Noise and pollution control ordinances regulate the use of gas-fueled leafblowers.

CALIFORNIA (2022) — The sale of new equipment with gas-powered two-stroke engines is prohibited as of 2024. The South Coast Air Quality Management District (comprising LA, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties) has a rebate program.

In addition to those initiatives, individual cities and town have adopted regulations over decades, or are in the process of doing so:

Alameda — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited as part of broader environmental goals to reduce emissions and noise pollution.
Atherton — Implemented a program offering rebates and other incentives to encourage residents to switch from gas-fueled to electric leafblowers.
Calistoga — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited.
Carmel (1975) — The small northern coastal city, where Clint Eastwood served as mayor for two years in the mid-1980s, was the first U.S. municipality to ban gas-fueled leafblowers.
Culver City (2017) — Leafblowers below 65 decibels are allowed, but require a permit.
Cupertino — Regulates the use of gas-fueled leafblowers to reduce noise and pollution.
Danville — Discussing a potential prohibition on gas-fueled leaf blowers.
Emeryville — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited.
Encinitas (2019) — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited. There is a rebate program to help businesses and residents transition to electric models.
Glendale — The largest ‘Level 1’ AGZA-Certified Green Zone municipality in the U.S., which means routine landscape maintenance is performed without using gas-fueled handheld tools. Draft prohibition under discussion.
Hidden Hills — Restricts the use of gas-field leafblowers.
Irvine (Nov. 2023) — City Council voted to prohibit gas-fueled lawncare equipment.
Lafayette (2023) — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited as of July 1, 2024.
Los Altos (1991) — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited in residential areas, as part of a broader effort to transition to quieter and more sustainable alternatives such as electric models.
Los Angeles
Menlo Park — Gas-powered leaf blowers prohibited.
Novato — Established guidelines and restrictions on the use of gas-fueled leafblowers.
Pasadena — Gas-powered leaf blowers prohibited.
Menlo Park — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited.
Palo Alto — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited.
Palos Verdes — Restricts the use of gas-fueled leafblowers to specific times and locations.
Pasadena (April 2023) — Prohibits the use of gas-fueled leafblowers.
Pleasanton (Dec. 2023) — City Council voted to prohibit gas-fueled leafblowers as of June 1, 2024.
Redondo Beach — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited.
San Anselmo — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited as of Jan. 1, 2024. Only electric landscaping equipment may be used.
St. Helena — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited.
Santa Clara County — Prohibits gas-fueled leafblowers in certain areas.
Santa Cruz (June 2024) — The city council voted 7-0 to phase out gas-fueled leafblowers as of January 1, 2025. There is also a regional equipment trade-in program that provides new battery-powered tools at discounts up to 80%.
City of Sonoma (2016) — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited.
South Pasadena — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited.
Westlake Village — Enacted a zero-emission equipment ordinance to promote the use of electric lawn equipment, including leafblowers.
Yountville — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited.

More regulations in individual California jurisdictions coming ASAP — there are a lot of them!

COLORADO (2023) — A committee in the state House of Representatives passed a climate-change bill that included a 30% tax credit for purchases of electric lawncare equipment and snowblowers. In Feb. 2024, Colorado air-quality regulators approved a partial prohibition on government use of gas-fueled landscaping equipment starting in 2025. It will ban state agencies from using any gas-powered tools with 25-horsepower engines or less from June 1 to Sept. 1. (Local governments in the nine-county Front Range face a similar summer ban, but only for engines of 10 horsepower or less.)

In addition, individual cities / towns have adopted regulations or are in the process of doing so:

Aspen — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited.
Boulder (2017) — $200 gas-powered lawnmower exchange / rebate program. Considering a phased prohibition.
Carbondale — “It is unlawful for any person to create, cause or allow the continuance of any unreasonably loud, disturbing, unusual, frightening or unnecessary noise which interferes with neighboring residents’ reasonable use of their properties. Such noises include, but are not limited to … (7) The operation of gasoline-powered blowers, including, but not limited to, lawn and leaf blowers.”
Castle Rock — Stage 1 fire ban limits the use of gas-burning leafblowers in fire-prone areas.
Denver — Sales of gas-fueled home lawnmowers, trimmers, and leafblowers would be banned in metro Denver beginning in 2025 to address severe ozone pollution, according to draft policies circulating at the Regional Air Quality Council.

The Regional Air Quality Council launched a “Mow Down Pollution” exchange program in the Denver Metro / North Front Range area to swap gas-powered lawn equipment for electric versions. The residential program was overwhelmed by demand and is seeking new funding, but municipal governments can still apply. They’re also working on a commercial version.
Westminster

CONNECTICUT — Individual cities / towns have adopted regulations or are in the process of doing so:

Greenwich — Gas leafblowers prohibited from 6:00 p.m.–8:00 a.m. Monday–Friday and 3:00 p.m.–9:00 a.m. Saturday, Sunday, and holidays, or in the town of Greenwich from Memorial Day through Labor Day. One leafblower per quarter acre or less. (Quiet Yards Greenwich). Police are authorized to address leafblower noise complaints.
New Canaan (2006) — Motorized equipment regardless of power source may only be used 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. weekdays, 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Saturdays and holidays, and 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Sundays. Sound levels cannot exceed 45 decibels at the receiving property line.
New Haven (2021) — The city’s Environmental Advisory Council has proposed phasing out gas-fueled leafblowers.
Norwalk — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited except from Oct. 15 to Dec. 15, and April 1 to June 1, and year-round at night in a residential zone. Specific restrictions for landscapers. On Jan. 1, 2027, gas blowers will be completely prohibited, and only electric blowers can be used on properties two acres or smaller, and as of Jan.1, 2028, for all larger properties.
Ridgefield — Leafblowers allowed from 7:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. “provided that noise discharged from exhausts is adequately muffled to prevent loud and / or explosive noises therefrom.” (Source: Ridgefield Action Committee for the Environment)
Stamford (2022) — The city’s municipal noise ordinance limits gas-fueled leafblower use to 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. on weekdays and 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays, and increase fines for violations.
West Hartford (2021) — Leafblower noise is restricted to weekdays 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Saturdays 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., and Sundays 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., provided it is “adequately muffled.” There are nascent efforts to reduce the use of two-stroke engines. The Department of Public Works purchased an electric fieldmower.
Westport (January 2023) — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited on Sundays and state and federal holidays. Until Oct. 14, their use is limited to 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. (Monday to Friday) and 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Saturday. Only one gas blower per quarter acre or less. As of Oct. 15, they are allowed from 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. In 2024, they will be prohibited in the summer. Electric leafblowers can be used 7:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

DELAWARE

Lewes (2020) — Prohibited handheld, gas-fueled landscaping equipment except leafblowers, chain saws, and string trimmers in 2023, and all such tools as of Jan. 1, 2026. The ordinance also created a new environmental-protection section in the municipal code.
Rehoboth Beach (2022) — City environment committee recommended a phased-in prohibition on gas-fueled tools, including leafblowers.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (Washington, DC) — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited as of 2018.

FLORIDA

Coral Gables
Fort Lauderdale — Working group established to explore impacts of gas-fueled leafblowers
Jacksonville — Environmental-quality rules regulate use of gas-fueled leafblowers
Key Biscayne
Key West
Miami Beach (2022) — Prohibition on gasoline-fueled leafblowers
Miami-Dade County — Considering prohibition on gas-fueled leafblowers
Naples (2021)— Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited. Electric models must be certified as generating no more than 65 decibels.
North Bay Village (2024) — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited as of Sept. 1 to reduce noise pollution.
Palm Beach — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited.
Pinecrest — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited. Electric models must be certified as generating no more than 65 decibels. Annual landscaper registration required.
St. Petersburg — Considering regulations on gas-fueled leafblowers
Sanibel (2019) — Prohibited commercial use of gas-fueled leafblowers on Sundays and national holidays, and restricted them to 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. City council passed total prohibition in 2023.
South Miami
Winter Park (2022) — Voted to prohibit gas-fueled leafblowers, and for rebates on electric models, but implementation has been delayed until June 2025

GEORGIA — State legislature passed a law that pre-empts local efforts to regulate gas-fueled leafblowers.

Athens — County commission considering regulating leafblowers to reduce noise pollution.
Atlanta

HAWAII — Senate Bill 54 introduced to prohibit sale and use of gas-fueled leafblowers statewide

Honolulu (2022) — Sale and use of gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited.

ILLINOIS (2020) — Introduced House Bill 4805 and Senate Bill 3313, which would prohibit the sale or use of gas-fueled leafblowers statewide. In addition, individual cities and towns have adopted regulations or are in the process of doing so:

Arlington
Evanston (Nov. 2022) — A year-round prohibition on gas- and propane-fueled leafblowers as of April 1, 2023.
Glencoe — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited except for April, October, and November, before 7:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. on weekdays, and before 9:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
Highland Park
Lake Bluff — Seasonal prohibition on gas-fueled leafblowers from May 15 – Sept. 30. Large institutions are exempted for two years to allow them to transition to electric equipment.
Lincolnwood
Oak Park — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited June 1 to Sept. 30. Total prohibition scheduled for June 2025.
River Forest — Sustainability Commission has proposed transition from gas-fueled leafblowers to electric models beginning June 1, 2025
Wilmette — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited except April 1 to April 30 and October 1 through November 30. Personal lawncare is restricted to weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Winnetka — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited except for April, October, and November, and Monday through Friday from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Westmount (2018) — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited from June 1 to Sept. 30. Total prohibition implemented in Oct. 2023
Woodstock — AGZA Green Zone

KANSAS

Wichita — Rebate program to help residents replace gas-fueled lawncare equipment with electric models. In 2024, it increased the rebates from $50 to $100 per new equipment item.

KENTUCKY

Ashland — Local ordinance restricting noise pollution affects use of gas-fueled leafblowers.
Lexington (2022) — Gas-fueled leafblower use allowed from March 15 to May 31 and Sept. 15 to Dec. 30. Commercial landscapers will be prohibited from using gas blowers as of March 15, 2025, as will residents working on their own property one year later.

MAINE

South Portland (2023) — Proposal to prohibit gas-fueled lawncare equipment

MARYLAND (2022) — Considered a bill to phase out gas-fueled leafblowers state wide. In addition, individual towns and cities have adopted regulations or are in the process of doing so:

Baltimore (2024) — The city council voted to phase out the use of gas-fueled leafblowers by Dec. 15 of 2026. The city and its contractors will end their use after Dec. 15, 2024, and resident and landscaper use will be limited to Oct. 15 – Dec. 15 in 2025 and 2026, and prohibited after that.
Chevy Chase — Use of gas-fueled leafblowers is regulated
Hyattsville — As of August 2024, all leafblowers used in city limits must be electric-powered. There is also a rebate program.
Montgomery County (2022) — The sale of gas-fueled leafblowers and lawn vacuums in the county ended in July 2024, and their use is prohibited as of July 1, 2025. It is reportedly the first U.S. county to prohibit the sale and use of gas leafblowers.
Somerset (town)
University Park (2023) — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited as of 2024.

MASSACHUSETTS — State-wide legislation to regulate leafblowers has been proposed, and MassSave has an incentive program to promote the residential transition to electric landscaping equipment with rebates up to $75 for a lawnmower and $30 for other tools.

In addition, a bill to establish a grant program for low-noise / low-emission municipal landscape maintenance equipment and zero-interest loans for private contractors had a hearing and favorable vote. Individual MA cities and towns have also adopted regulations or are in the process of doing so:

Andover (May 2023) — The town council passed a sustainability resolution stating that ambitious and far-reaching actions must be taken to mitigate the worst of climate change. It was supported by four related boards that advise the council on specific issues.
Arlington (April 2022) — Gas-fueled leafblowers are prohibited June 1 to Sept. 14 and Dec 31 to March 14, and will be prohibited for commercial use in March 2025. Residents have until March 2026 to transition to electric equipment.
Belmont — Gas-fueled leafblowers are prohibited May 15 to Sept 30, and will be prohibited entirely as of 2026. The town itself cannot purchase new gas leafblowers.
Boston (2022) — Under consideration.
Brookline — Gas-fueled leafblowers are banned Jan. 1 to March 14 and May 16 to Sept. 30. Commercial operators require permits.
Cambridge (2008) — Gas-fueled leafblowers are prohibited Jan. 1 to March 15 and June 15 to Sept. 15; before 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday; before 9:00 a.m. on Saturdays, Columbus Day, and Veterans’ Day; after 5:00 p.m. every day, and all day on Sundays and legal holidays except Columbus Day and Veterans Day. (Commercial leafblower use is allowed only from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Columbus Day and 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. only on Veterans Day). All leafblowers must be rated by their manufacturer to emit no more than 65 decibels. In April 2023, the City Council directed the city manager to develop policies that would lead to a ban on the use of gas lawncare equipment.
Concord (home of Quiet Communities) — As of June 1, 2024, hand-held gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited on residential properties of less than 1.5 acres, and are permitted only from Sept. 15 – Dec. 30 and March 15 – May 31. On March 15, 2028, commercial use of hand-held gas leafblowers will be completely prohibited. And as of March 15, 2030, it will apply to residential use as well. Electric leafblowers can be used year-round.
Falmouth
Framingham — Considering restrictions on the use of gas-fueled leafblowers.
Lexington (2022) — Seasonal ban on gas-fueled leafblowers, extended to a phase-out by March 15, 2025. Added electric landscaping tools to its municipal equipment.
Lincoln (2019) — Seasonal ban and restrictions on times / days / sound levels.
Lincolnwood — Restrictions on times / days / sound levels.
Marblehead (2022) — Gas-fueled leafblowers are prohibited from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Property owners are penalized for infractions, from a written warning (first offense), $100 fine (second offense), to a $200 fine (third and subsequent offenses).
Medford (Nov. 2022) — The City Council discussed drafting an ordinance to regulate leafblower use. Currently, operation of mechanically powered lawn equipment, including leafblowers, chainsaws, and similar devices in a residentially zoned neighborhood between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. is deemed a prima facie noise violation.
Melrose
Nantucket — Regulates gas-fueled leafblowers.
Newton (2017) — Gas-fueled leafblowers are prohibited from Memorial to Labor Day, but electric models are permitted during this period. Commercial operators require a permit. All leafblowers must be no more than 65 decibels, and can only be used from 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. on weekdays, and from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Property owners may use them on their own land on Sundays.
Reading
Somerville — Seasonal ban. Commercial users must submit operational plan.
Swampscott — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Waltham — Regulate gas-fueled leafblowers, particularly in residential areas.
Watertown (2021) — Regulations proposed.
Wellesley — Sponsored an American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA) workshop on sustainable landscaping for industry professionals and another for residents in 2024, and previously purchased some electric-powered equipment.
Winchester (Nov. 2022) — The town council postponed consideration of proposed restrictions on gas leafblowers. (Quiet Clean Winchester)

MICHIGAN

Ann Arbor — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited from June through September, and outdoor maintenance equipment with two-stroke engines in the downtown development district year-round. All as blowers will be prohibited as of Jan. 1, 2028, except by contractors doing street, sidewalk, or paving construction work, or in emergencies for health, safety and property protection, or for post-emergency property restoration.
Blackman Township
Cassopolis
East Grand Rapids (2023) — Considering a prohibition on gas-fueled leafblowers
Kalamazoo
Oakland
Richland
Roseville
Sterling Heights (2022) — City Council discussed reducing lawn-mowing and prohibiting gas-fueled leafblowers.

MINNESOTA (2018) — The state Pollution Control Agency’s Alternative Landscaping Equipment grant program concluded in 2022 after four years and $452,000 in grants to 168 businesses and local governments to purchase electric equipment. In 2023, Democrats in the state House introduced a ban on sales of new gas-fueled equipment starting in 2025.

Duluth
Minneapolis
St. Paul

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Portsmouth

NEW JERSEY (2023) — In 2024, the NJ State Senate Environment and Energy Committee voted in favor of a bill that would phase out the sale and use of two-stroke leafblowers. The state assembly has previously considered bills to prohibit the sale and use of gas-fueled landscaping equipment, and provide rebates for the purchase of electric tools.

In addition, individual cities / towns have adopted regulations or are in the process of doing so:

Belmar
Glen Ridge — Considering seasonal ban
Highland Park
Leonia — Use of gas-fueled leafblowers is restricted to March 15 to May 15 and October 15 to December 15 and for owners / occupants of buildings on weekdays from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm (contractors 8:00–6:00), Saturdays from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (contractors 9:00–2:00), and Sundays from 10:00 am and 6:00 pm. Contractors are prohibited from their use on Sundays.
Longport
Maplewood (2016 / 2023) — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited. In 2016, gas leafblowers were seasonally prohibited from May 1–Sept. 30 and in Winter. In 2021, they were prohibited Sundays, could be used only from 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. on weekdays, and from 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Commercial entities are required to provide employees with hearing and safety equipment.
Montclair (1995 / 2023) — In 1995, gas leafblowers were seasonally prohibited. In Fall 2023, gas-fueled leafblowers were prohibited.
Morristown — Considering seasonal ban
Princeton — Seasonal ban. Established fund to assist small landscaping companies to transition from gas-fueled to electric equipment.
South Orange — Seasonal ban
Spring Lake — Voluntary ban
Summit — Seasonal prohibition not extended beyond pilot period.
Woodcliff Lake

NEW YORK (2021) — Passed a law to create an electric landscaping-equipment rebate program (S7453A / A8327) that was vetoed by the governor, and introduced a bill to end the sale of gas-powered landscaping equipment (S7462A) by 2027. Meanwhile, individual cities and towns have adopted regulations and / or rebate programs or are in the process of doing so:

Beacon
Bedford (town) — Only one leafblower allowed regardless of power source on weekdays from 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. (Sept. 16 – May 14), 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (May 15–Sept. 15), and 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. on Saturdays and holidays year-round. Walk-behind leafblowers prohibited.
Bellport
Bronxville
Buchanan
Croton-on-Hudson — Gas-fueled leafblowers are prohibited June 1 to Aug. 31 and Jan. 1 to March 31. Hours of operation also limited.
Dobbs Ferry
East Hampton — Gas- or diesel-fueled walk-behind leafblowers prohibited on any property smaller than one acre in area.
East Hills
Flower Hill
Garden City
Great Neck
Greenburgh
Hastings on Hudson — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited except from Oct. 15 to Dec. 31.
Huntington (Oct. 2021) — Gas-fueled leafblowers are not permitted between Memorial Day and Labor Day, on Sundays or holidays year round, or on weekdays from 6:00 p.m.–8:00 a.m. and Saturdays before 5:00 p.m.–9:00 a.m.
Irvington-on-Hudson
Larchmont (2023) — Both gas-fueled and electric leafblowers prohibited except from March 15 through April 30 and Oct. 15 to Dec. 15
Mamaroneck (town) — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited from June 1 through Sept. 30. Allowed Oct. 1 to May 31. Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, Sunday, and legal holidays 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Mamaroneck (village)
Mount Kisko
Mount Pleasant
Mount Vernon — Restricts the use of gas-fueled leaf and lawn blowers. All landscapers must register with the city and display their registration number on their vehicles.
New Castle — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited June 1 to Sept. 30 and allowed Oct. 1 to May 31.
New Rochelle — Leafblowers prohibited from June 1–Sept 30. Allowed from Oct. 1–May 31 from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. on weekdays, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. on weekends.
North Haven (village) — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited from May 1 to Oct. 3.
North Hempstead (town)
Nyack (2023) — Gas-fueled leafblowers may be used from March 15 to May 15 and Sept. 15 to Dec. 15 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays and legal holidays. Electric leafblowers are permitted all year during the same hours. In 2024, gas leafblowers will be prohibited all year.
Orangetown
Ossining (town)
Ossining (village) — Gas-fueled leafblowers allowed only on parcels greater than a half-acre, and only from March 1 to June 1 and Sept. 15 to Dec. 15.
Oyster Bay
Pelham (Village / Manor)
Pleasantville — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited from May 15th to Sept. 30th, and quiet hours on all motorized outdoor equipment.
Port Chester
Pound Ridge (town)
Roslyn / Estates / Harbor (villages)
Russell Gardens
Rye (Nov. 2022) — Gas-fueled leafblowers allowed Oct. 1–Dec. 15 and March 1–April 30 from 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. on weekdays and 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. on weekends. Electric leafblowers are allowed year-round. Commercial landscapers must register with the town.
Rye Brook — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited from May 1 to Sept. 30.
Scarsdale
Sea Cliff
Sleepy Hollow
Southampton (Town: 2022 / Village: 2019) — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited May 20 to Sept. 20, and Sundays and state and federal holidays all year. From Sept. 21 to May 19 can be used only from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. weekdays and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
Tarrytown — Gasoline-fueled leaf- and garden blowers prohibited from June 15 through September 15, and on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from Sept. 16 through June 14.
Thomaston
Tuckahoe
Westfair — rebate program
White Plains (May 2023) — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited.
Yonkers (2007) — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited from June 1–Sept. 30. Began a rebate program for electric leafblowers in 2022.

NORTH CAROLINA

Chapel Hill — Limits on times of day, days of the week, and decibel levels.
Charlotte — The noise ordinance prohibits the use of lawnmowers and construction machinery from 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. in residential areas or within 300 feet of residential areas.

OREGON

Eugene
Lake Oswego (2023) — Considering potential restrictions on gas-fueld leafblowers.
Multnomah County — The county around Portland provides incentives to small businesses to help defray costs of transitioning to more sustainable alternatives.
Portland (2024) — Gas-fueled leafblowers are prohibited in residential zones from 7:00 pm to 7:00 a.m. seven days a week. The city council passed an ordinance phasing out gas-fueled leafblowers beginning in 2026, and ending in a full ban in 2028.
Salem

PENNSYLVANIA — The non-profit ecology group Penn Environment supports legislation to create a state Zero-Emissions Lawncare Taskforce to develop a plan to phase out gas-powered landscaping equipment state-wide. It says at least ten PA communities are working on ordinances to restrict two-stroke engines, but none has been voted on yet.

Philadelphia — The environmental group Quiet Clean Philly has been working to get the city council to pass an ordinance prohibiting the sale or use of leafblowers that produce sound levels exceeding 70 decibels at a distance of 50 feet.
Pittsburgh
Swarthmore — A prohibition on gas-fueled, two-stroke-engine lawn equipment such as leafblowers and string trimmers is under consideration.

RHODE ISLAND (2022) — Bills regulating leafblowers were introduced in the RI General Assembly’s House and Senate, and the House environmental committee heard testimony on the former. In 2023, Senate Resolution S520, seeking to allocate funding for future municipal rebate programs, had a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee.

In 2024, a group called Quiet Clean RI worked with state legislators to pass the Battery-Powered Leaf Blower Pilot Rebate and Education Program, which allocates $250,000 to help commercial landscapers transition to electric equipment. It is also working at the local level to promote legislation to regulate leafblower use and provide transition incentives.

Barrington (2023) — The town council approved $25,000 for a rebate program to help residents transition from gas-fueled lawncare equipment to electric powered leafblowers and string-trimmers. Initial round of applicants exceeded available funds.
Providence (2014) — It is specifically prohibited to operate any leafblowing equipment or similar mechanical device exceeding 55 decibels (dB) in a residential zone between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., or exceeding 65 dB(A) between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., or at any hour when it is audible at a distance of 200 feet from the source. [Note: This merely alters the city’s existing residential sound-limit period by two hours, from 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.]

In 2021, three members of the Providence City Council proposed an amendment to create a separate leafblower ordinance. The Council’s Ordinance Committee held a hearing on the bill, but never voted on it. Ward 1 City Council member John Goncalves drafted a new leafblower ordinance, but as of August 2024 has not introduced it in the Council. PVD residents who support more regulation should contact Councilmember Goncalves and the Noise Project.

TEXAS — A state law pre-empts regulation of gas-fueled leafblowers by other jurisdictions.

Austin — Promotes a “cash for clunkers” program for transition to electric lawncare
Dallas — Planned to phase out gas-fueled landscaping tools for city departments, contractors, businesses, and residents.
Highland Park
Houston

UTAH (2023) — The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) launched a $3,000 “Charge Your Yard” trade-in incentive program for lawncare businesses licensed in the state, in response to environmental conditions in multiple counties. Preferences are given to those with fewer than 100 employees, operate in environmental justice areas, and owned by women and / or people of color.

Salt Lake City (2021) — Funded the city’s participation in a state-initiated $300 lawnmower exchange / rebate lottery program through retailers Home Depot, Lowes, and Redback.

VERMONT — Utility company Green Mountain Power offers $25 rebates on in-state purchases of electric leafblowers, trimmers, and chainsaws, and $50–$100 rebates on electric lawnmowers.

Burlington (May 2022) — Gas-fueled leafblowers are prohibited. Electric leafblowers 65 decibels or less are allowed from 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and by a resident of the property from 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. One leafblower per 5,000 square feet.
Woodstock (2022) — Considering a proposal for funding to purchase two electric leafblowers.

VIRGINIA

Alexandria
Vienna

WASHINGTON STATE

Seattle — Gas leafblowers prohibited.

________________

¹ The Noise Project appreciates research support from Maplescapes.