In 2019, City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting the use of gas-powered leaf blowers. Key elements of the ordinance include:

• Prohibits the use of all gas-powered leaf blowers citywide as of January 2020
• Allows for the use of electric or battery-powered leaf blowers
• Requires responsible use of blower equipment to control dust and noise
• Restricts leaf blower hours of operation to between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Sundays

A transition away from fossil-fuel based off-road equipment is one of the City's strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions identified in the Climate Action Plan (CAP). The benefits of prohibiting gas-powered leaf blowers include avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), decreased noise levels, and a reduction in suspended dust, allergens, and other harmful particulates.

According to the City's CAP, it is estimated that the Leaf Blower Ordinance will reduce local GHG emissions by 128 metric tons of CO2 emissions (MTCO2e) by the end of 2020, and 142 metric tons by 2030.

For more information about the ordinance please refer to the following resources: 

English/Spanish Leaf Blower Ordinance FAQ Flyer

English Version of the Leaf Blower Ordinance

Spanish Version of the Leaf Blower Ordinance

English/Spanish outreach postcard for residents or anyone to print and use for notifying landscapers or other potential gas-powered leaf blower users about this ordinance. 

If you suspect a violation of the leaf blower ordinance, please complete a Citizen Complaint Form. The most important information to include is your name, the address, and the time of the violation.  The Citizen Complaint Form can also be accessed via the MyEncinitas app.