HomeMy WebLinkAboutCM Leaf Blower Ordinance PPTLeaf Blower Ordinance
City Council Meeting
July 18th,2022
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Background
The City’s general noise ordinance for residential equipment §8.13.040
2030 Climate Change Action Plan
LCT-C10: Encourage the use of electric landscape equipment instead of gasoline-powered
equipment through engagement campaigns.
Type of Activity Maximum Noise Level Days/Hours Permitted
Residential Power Equipment and
Construction Activities Undertaken by
Residential Property Owners
Noise level not to exceed ninety (90) dBA
beyond the property plane of the property on
which the equipment is being used, or the
activity is occurring.
Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.—8:00 p.m.
Sat, Sun, Holidays. 9:00 a.m.—6:00 p.m.
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AB 1346: Prohibits engine exhaust and
evaporative emissions from new small
off -road engines
•“By July 1, 2022, the state board shall, adopt cost-effective and technologically feasible
regulations to prohibit engine exhaust and evaporative emissions from new small off-road
engines, as defined by the state board. Those regulations shall apply to engines produced on
or after January 1, 2024, or as soon as the state board determines is feasible…”
•Ban the sale of gas powered small off-road engines (including leaf blowers) that are
produced on or after January 1, 2024.
•“…the state board shall identify, and, to the extent feasible, make available, funding for
commercial rebates or similar incentive funding as part of any updates to existing, applicable
funding program guidelines for districts to implement to support the transition to zero-
emission small off-road equipment operations”.
•The state board is to identify funding sources to aid small businesses to transition to
electric powered equipment. Funding will be made available during the Fall of 2022.
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Leaf blower ordinances
in Marin County
Municipality Type of ban Residential time permitted Non-residential time permitted
Belvedere Gas ban Sun-Thu 7 a.m.to 9 p.m.
F-Sat: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sun-Th: 9 p.m.
F-Sat: 11 p.m.
Corte Madera Gas ban M-F: 9 a.m. –5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. –4 a.m.
Sunday: Not permitted
M-F: 7 a.m. –5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. –4 a.m.
Sunday: Not permitted
Larkspur Partial gas ban M-F: 9 a.m. –5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. –4 a.m.
Sunday: Not permitted
M-F: 7 a.m. –5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. –4 a.m.
Sunday: Not permitted
Mill Valley Gas ban 7:00 a.m. –9:00 p.m.7:00 a.m. –9:00 p.m.
Novato Ordinance to limit the hours of operation,
no gas ban
M-Sat: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.
M-Sat: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ross Partial gas ban M-F: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sat: Not permitted
Sun: Not permitted
M-F: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sat: Not permitted
Sun: Not permitted
San Anselmo Gas ban M, Th, Sat: 1 p.m. –4 p.m.M, Th, Sat: 1 p.m. –4 p.m.
Tiburon Partial gas ban M-Sun 9 a.m. –4 p.m.M-F 9 a.m. –4 p.m.
Sat-Sun : Not permitted
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Community outreach
regarding policy changes
•Staff reached out to registered landscaping and gardening businesses via email to get their input on
possible policy changes. In addition, staff requested that the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce
distributed the virtual survey to their members.
•Staff reached out to registered landscaping and gardening businesses through mail, requesting their
input on the proposed policy changes.
•Staff crafted recommendations and publicized them on the City website, requesting feedback from
residents. The webpage was promoted via the City’s various social media channels such as Facebook,
Twitter, Instagram and Nextdoor, as well as a letter to the IJ .
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Business outreach
Online survey
•23/88 of registered Landscaping and Gardening businesses responded to the survey
•75% of respondents already owned an electric leaf blower
•25% that do not operate an electric leaf blower cited the following reasons why they
prefer gas-powered leaf blowers
•Short battery life, loss of efficiency especially in large properties
•70% of businesses started operation leaf blowers by 8:00 a.m.
•95% of business stop operating leaf blowers at or before 5:00 p.m.
Mailer
•6/74 responses
•83% businesses expressed need for financial support to change to electric equipment
•66% businesses work in multiple jurisdictions in Marin
•33% businesses operate both gas and electric powered leaf blowers, 33% operate just gas
and 33% operates only electric. 66% of businesses operate an electric leaf blower
•83% of the businesses surveyed were not aware of the incoming state ban of the sale of
small off-road gas-powered engines
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Resident outreach
Online form:
•Staff received 57 responses
•93% of respondents support a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers
•46% of respondents urged the City to start the ban as soon as possible
•Previous staff recommendations were to begin the ban in January 2024
•23% of respondents requested a later start time for leaf blowers at residential properties
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Cost analysis:
Type Power Cost
STIHL BG 86 166 mph 444
CFM Gas Handheld Leaf
Blower
Up to 166 MPH air
speed; up to 444
CFM airflow $280 + tax
STIHL BR 600 238 mph 677
CFM Gas Backpack Leaf
Blower
Up to 238 MPH air
speed; up to 677
CFM airflow
$530 + tax
Type Power Cost
EGO Power+ LB5302 3-Speed
Turbo 56-Volt 530 CFM Cordless
Leaf Blower 2.5Ah Up to 135 MPH air
speed; up to 530 CFM
airflow $179 + tax (battery and
charger included)
Kobalt 40-volt 690-CFM 135-
MPH Brushless Backpack
Cordless Electric Leaf Blower
Up to 135 MPH air
speed; up to 690
CFM airflow
$300 + tax (includes one
battery set)
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Gas-powered leaf blowers Electric-powered leaf blowers
Proposed policy changes
Effective October 2022
1.New hours of operation: Effective October 1, 2022, it shall be unlawful for any person to operate or authorize,
permit, or direct another who engages in the operation of any gas-powered leaf blower within city limits.
2.Debris: Effective October 1, 2022, it shall be unlawful for any person to deposit dirt, dust, leaves, grass clippings,
trimmings, green waste, solid waste, or debris, or authorize, permit, or direct another who engages in such
activities, onto a neighboring property or into streets, gutters, or storm drains within city limits
3.Ban the operation of gas-powered leaf blowers: Effective October 1, 2022, it shall be unlawful for any person to
operate or authorize, permit, or direct another who engages in the operation of any gas-powered leaf blower
within city limits.
Property type Monday to Friday Weekends and City Holidays
Residential 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Non-residential 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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Enforcement Mechanism
How will the City enforce this ordinance?
Enforcement of this ordinance will be complaint based. Residents that witness another
resident, or a third party employed by the resident violating any provision under this
ordinance, may contact the City to place a formal complaint.
•Online form and call line for code enforcement
Enforcement phased in approach
The City will not place fines based on the new ordinance till January 1st, 2023. Instead, the
property owners will receive warning letters.
Starting January 2023, the City will fine homeowners that are not compliant.
Fees for violations
Fines will be levied as a warning for the first offense. The second warning shall come in the
form of an administrative fine. Violation fines will be primarily placed on the homeowner;
however, the City may place fines on businesses if necessary.
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Staff recommendation
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Pass to print an Ordinance of the City of San Rafael adding Chapter 8.40 “Regulation of
Small Off-Road Engines” to the San Rafael Municipal Code related to regulating the
operation of leaf blowers.
Thank you
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