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

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

The information below is updated by volunteers and is a work in progress

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:

  • 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.
  • Encinitas (2019) — Gas-fueled leafblowers are prohibited. There is a rebate program to help businesses and residents transition away from them.
  • Glendale — The largest Level 1 AGZA-Certified Green Zone municipality in the U.S., meaning that routine landscape maintenance is performed without using gas-fueled handheld tools.
  • Irvine (Nov. 2023) — The Irvine City Council voted to prohibit gas-fueled lawncare equipment.
  • Los Altos (1991) — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited.
  • Menlo Park — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited.
  • Palo Alto — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited.
  • Pasadena (April 2023) — Prohibits the use of gas-fueled leafblowers.
  • Pleasanton (Dec. 2023) — All gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited.
  • Redondo Beach — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited.
  • San Anselmo — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited as of Jan. 1, 2024. Only electric landscaping equipment may be used.
  • City of Sonoma (2016) — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited.
  • St. Helena — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited.
  • Santa Cruz — In June 2024, the Santa Cruz city council voted 7-0 to phase out gas-fueled leafblowers in the city. The ordinance goes into effect January 1, 2025. There is also a regional equipment trade-in program that provides new battery-powered tools at discounts up to 80%.
  • Yountville — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited.

More regulations in individual California cities and towns 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 ban on government use of gas-fueled landscaping equipment starting in 2025 that will bar state agencies from using any gas-powered tools with a 25-horsepower engine 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
  • 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.”
  • 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 and targeted for a vote by statewide authorities later in 2023.

    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)
  • 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 dBa at the receiving property line.
  • New Haven (2021) — The city’s Environmental Advisory Council has proposed phasing out gas-fueled leafblowers.
  • Norwalk — Under consideration. No leafblowers during nighttime hours in a residential zone.
  • 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.” (Email Ridgefield Action Committee for the Environment)
  • Stamford (2022) — Proposed amendments to the city’s municipal noise ordinance would limit 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) — Beginning May 15, gas-fueled leafblowers are 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 leafblower per quarter acre or less. As of Oct. 15, they are allowed from 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. In 2024, their use will be prohibited during 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.

FLORIDA

  • Coral Gables
  • Key West
  • Miami Beach
  • Naples
  • Palm Beach
  • Sanibel
  • Tampa

GEORGIA

  • Atlanta — In progress

HAWAII — Considering state-wide legislation

  • Honolulu — In progress

ILLINOIS (2020) — Introduced Senate Bill 3313, which would make gas-fueled leafblowers illegal. Individual cities / 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
  • 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–Sept. 30. Total ban scheduled for June 2025.
  • River Forest
  • Wilmette
  • Winnetka
  • Woodstock — AGZA Green Zone

MAINE

  • South Portland — Proposal to prohibit gas-fueled lawncare equipment

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

  • Chevy Chase — Use of gas-fueled leafblowers is regulated
  • Hyattsville — As of August 2024, all leafblowers used in city limits must be electric-powered. Rebate program.
  • Montgomery County (2022) — The sale of gas-fueled leafblowers and lawn vacuums in the county will end as of July 1, 2024, and their use will be prohibited as of July 1, 2025. It is reportedly the first U.S. county to enact a prohibition on the sale and use of gas leafblowers.
  • Somerset (town)
  • University Park (2023) — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited as of 1/1/2024.

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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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 — Banned outdoor maintenance equipment with two-stroke internal-combustion engines in the Downtown Development Authority district
  • Blackman Township
  • Cassopolis
  • Kalamazoo
  • Oakland
  • Richland
  • Roseville

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, the legislature passed a ban on sales of new gas-fueled equipment starting in 2025.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Portsmouth

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 (village)
  • Dobbs Ferry
  • East Hampton — Walk-behind leafblowers fueled by gas or diesel are prohibited on any property smaller than one acre in area.
  • East Hills (village)
  • Flower Hill
  • Garden City
  • Great Neck
  • Greenburgh
  • Hastings on Hudson
  • 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 (village)
  • Larchmont — Ban on gas-fueled and electric leafblowers except during Spring / Fall “windows”
  • Mamaroneck (town)
  • Mamaroneck (village)
  • Mount Pleasant
  • Mount Vernon
  • Mount Kisko
  • New Castle
  • New Rochelle — Leafblowers prohibited from June 1–Sept 30. May be used 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)
  • North Hempstead (town)
  • Nyack — Gas-fueled leafblowers may be used from March 15–May 15 and Sept. 15–Dec. 15. from 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. on weekdays, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and 12:00 p.m –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)
  • Oyster Bay
  • Pelham Village / Manor
  • Pleasantville Village
  • 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
  • Scarsdale
  • Sea Cliff (village)
  • Sleepy Hollow
  • Town of Southampton (March 2022) — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited May 20–Sept. 20, and Sunday and holidays all year. From Sept 21–May 19, can be used only from 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. weekdays and 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
  • Village of Southampton (2019) — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited from May 20–Sept. 20 and on Sundays and all state and federal holidays. May be used from Sept. 21 until May 19 from 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
  • Tarrytown
  • Thomaston (village)
  • Tuckahoe
  • Tuckahoe (village)
  • Westfair — rebate program
  • White Plains — Complete ban on gas-fueled leafblowers to begin May 14, 2023
  • Yonkers (2007) — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited from June 1–Sept. 30. Began a rebate program for electric leafblowers in 2022.

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
  • Longport
  • Maplewood (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 Township (1995) — In Fall 2023, gas-fueled leafblowers will be prohibited. In 1995, gas leafblowers were seasonally 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

NORTH CAROLINA

  • Chapel Hill — Limits on times of day, days of the week, and decibel levels.

OREGON

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 nearly a dozen 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.
  • Swarthmore — An ordinance to prohibit the use of gas-powered, two-stroke engine lawn equipment such as leafblowers and string trimmers is under consideration, and would take effect two years after passage. It establishes penalties of $50 for a first violation, $100 for a second, and $200 for any after that.

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

  • Austin — Promotes a “cash for clunkers” program for transition to electric lawncare
  • Dallas — Plans to phase out the use of gas-fueled landscaping tools for city departments, contractors, businesses, and residents by 2027 or 2030, and require alternatively powered devices.
  • 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, DC (2022) — Gas-fueled leafblowers prohibited.

WASHINGTON STATE

  • Seattle — Gas leafblowers prohibited.