City Getting the Multi-Language Word Out Ahead of Leaf Blower Ban

The City is undertaking a major outreach program ahead of a ban on gas powered leaf blowers.

 Last March, the City Council approved a ban on the machines with an extended implementation date to allow ample time for the public (and businesses) to prepare.

Starting on April 28, the use of gas-powered leaf blowers will be banned everywhere in the City.

At the end of last month the first phase of the ban took effect at City facilities.

In order to facilitate the change, the City’s Planning and Community Development Department has been overseeing an extensive outreach program to inform the public of the new regulations in English and Spanish.

The information is being provided citywide via Pasadena In Focus publication, press releases,  social media postings, the City’s dedicated webpage also contains information and FAQ’s. 

All landscapers with a business license will receive direct mail. 

 The information is also being distributed on posters on transit shelters, Pasadena Water and Power bill inserts, field staff distribution of informational materials and KPAS will air public service announcements.

Although small, gas-powered leaf blowers have highly polluting engines which can result in significant health impacts for the community, especially the equipment operators. 

“In addition to smog-forming emissions and toxic fumes, gas-powered leaf blowers also create carbon-dioxide emissions that contribute to the climate crisis,” according to a City memo.  

“Using a gas-powered backpack leaf blower for just one hour generates the same smog-forming emissions as a car driven for 1,100 miles.”

 Code Compliance will respond as soon as possible or conduct a follow-up inspection at the same day and time to leaf blower complaints.

 A Warning Notice with a 30-day compliance period will be issued to the landscape business owner/operator and a door hanger will be placed at the property being serviced informing them of the regulations. 

Electric-powered leaf blowers may only be used Monday – Friday between 8 AM. and 6 P.M., Saturdays, 9 AM. to 5 P.M. and prohibited on Sundays.

Noise levels are restricted to 65 decibels when measured from 50  feet away.

Electric powered leaf blowers are only allowed to be used up to 15 minutes per hour for parcels less than half an acre and 30 minutes per hour for parcels greater than half acre.

 Debris blown beyond the property line is required to be cleaned up within 15 minutes. For additional information regarding the Leaf Blower Ordinance please visit the city’s dedicated webpage at bit.ly/leaf-blower-ban. 

Gardners using leafblowers can receive a $400 point-of-sale voucher through the California CORE incentive program. 

Currently there are currently three authorized dealers who sell battery-powered commercial leaf blowers with the $400 discount. 

Additional details can be found at www.CaliforniaCore.org.  

There is also a rebate of up to 75% off the cost of an electric leaf blower offered by the South Coast AQMD via their Commercial Lawn & Garden Equipment Exchange program (late March/April rollout). The AQMD rebate can be combined with the CORE voucher, please visit www.AQMD.com for additional details