Leaf Blower Policy

Since 1991, gas-powered leaf blowers have been banned in Santa Monica to reduce associated air pollution and noise. However, many gas-powered leaf blowers remain in use today despite the long-term ban. These gas-powered leaf blowers often have high sound ratings between 80-100 decibels and emit pollutants that are harmful to the environment and human health.

In July 2023, City Council adopted policy changes to address this issue by allowing only zero-emission electric leaf blowers that have a sound rating at or below 70 decibels. These changes also enhance enforcement of the City’s leaf blower policy by allowing community members to submit photo or video evidence of suspected violations through the City’s 311 reporting system by navigating to the “Noise Concern” category.

This updated leaf blower policy enables efficient landscaping while ensuring that equipment does not cause unhealthy noise and pollutant levels.

Several funding sources are available to support the transition away from gas-powered equipment and towards electric landscaping equipment:

Commercial Electric Lawn and Garden Equipment Incentive & Exchange Program – South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) offers commercial landscapers and gardeners this point-of-sale voucher for new zero-emission, battery electric equipment. Applicants can receive up to $1,400 (or an 85% discount) on electric blowers and vacuums. Equipment available through this program includes handheld trimmers, chainsaws, pruners, backpack and handheld blowers, ride-on, stand-on, walk-behind and robotic lawn mowers. An equivalent operable gasoline or diesel-powered piece of lawn or garden equipment must be scrapped when the new battery-electric equipment is purchased.
Commercial Lawn & Garden Battery Buy-Down Rebate Program – South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) offers this rebate of up to 75% off the cost of the replacement battery for electric lawn and garden equipment previously funded by the Commercial Lawn & Garden Equipment Incentive & Exchange Program.
Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE) – The California Air Resources Board (CARB) launched this program to provide $27 million in incentives for professional landscape services in California operated by a small business or sole proprietor. The program offers up to $300 per handheld leaf blower and up to $400 per backpack leaf blower. CORE does not require scrappage of existing internal combustion engines.

FAQ

What types of leaf blowers are allowed in Santa Monica?

Any corded or cordless electric leaf blower that has a manufacturer’s sound rating of 70 decibels or fewer is allowed across the City.

Any leaf blowers that are powered by internal combustion/gasoline are prohibited across the City at all times.

Why are electric leaf blowers allowed if gas blowers are banned?

Gas-powered leaf blowers emit pollutants (including CO2, NOx, and O3) that the State of California has identified as a concern to human and environmental health. Gas-powered leaf blowers can also produce levels of noise that are dangerous to human health.

Electric leaf blowers do not emit pollutants during use and are generally much quieter than gas-powered blowers. The City requires that all electric leaf blowers have a manufacturer’s sound rating of 70 decibels or fewer.

Is there funding to reduce the cost of purchasing zero-emission leaf blowers and other landscaping equipment?

Several funding sources are available to support the transition away from gas-powered equipment and towards electric landscaping equipment:

Commercial Electric Lawn and Garden Equipment Incentive & Exchange Program – South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) offers commercial landscapers and gardeners this point-of-sale voucher for new zero-emission, battery electric equipment. Applicants can receive up to $1,400 (or an 85% discount) on electric blowers and vacuums. Equipment available through this program includes handheld trimmers, chainsaws, pruners, backpack and handheld blowers, ride-on, stand-on, walk-behind and robotic lawn mowers. An equivalent operable gasoline or diesel-powered piece of lawn or garden equipment must be scrapped when the new battery-electric equipment is purchased.
Commercial Lawn & Garden Battery Buy-Down Rebate Program – South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) offers this rebate of up to 75% off the cost of the replacement battery for electric lawn and garden equipment previously funded by the Commercial Lawn & Garden Equipment Incentive & Exchange Program.
Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE) – The California Air Resources Board (CARB) launched this program to provide $27 million in incentives for professional landscape services in California operated by a small business or sole proprietor. The program offers up to $300 per handheld leaf blower and up to $400 per backpack leaf blower. CORE does not require scrappage of existing internal combustion engines.

Are there restrictions on what times of day mechanical gardening and landscaping is permitted?

Gardening or landscaping activity with internal combustion, motorized, or electromechanical equipment is prohibited:

Before 9:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, or on New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King’s Birthday, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Before 8:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. City of Santa Monica employees or public utilities cannot conduct such gardening or landscaping activities before 7:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Who is held responsible for complying with this policy?

Responsible parties include a property owner, tenant, occupant, person with a legal interest in real property or person in possession of real property, the president or other head of an entity or a person authorized by an entity to receive service of process in a civil action, a business owner, or manager of a business.

Employed landscapers will NOT be held responsible for violations if they are provided a prohibited device – like a gas-powered leaf blower – by a responsible party or are directed to conduct prohibited landscaping activities – like using a gas-powered leaf blower – by a responsible party. In this case, the person or entity that employed the landscaper would be held responsible for the violation.

What is the penalty for not complying with the City’s leaf blower policy?

Responsible parties that violate this policy will first be issued an administrative citation. Any responsible party that violates this policy more than two times in any twelve-month period will receive a fine of up to $250.

Where can I report a suspected violation of the City’s leaf blower policy?

Community members can report suspected violations of this policy through the City’s 311 program by navigating to the “Noise Concern” category.