Gas Leaf Blower Bans in California
46 jurisdictions in California restrict gas-powered leaf blowers or mowers, out of 254 municipalities surveyed.
44 jurisdictions with use bans
2 jurisdictions with sale bans
23 jurisdictions with specific hour restrictions
1 jurisdiction with pending/proposed bans
3 jurisdictions with phased implementation
Looking to change your local rules? Read the ordinance guide.
Also see: US PIRG's interactive map of lawn mower and leaf blower policies for another source on jurisdictions nationwide.
Each entry shows the date we last checked it. Ordinances change, so confirm against the live municipal code before quoting any of this in a public meeting. Where we say a jurisdiction has no restriction, that usually means we could not find one, which is not the same as establishing that none exists.
Statewide: California has implemented a phased ban on sales of new small off-road engines (including lawn equipment) through AB 1346, starting in 2024.
Active Bans: Major jurisdictions with gas equipment use bans include Los Angeles County (temporary AQ emergency), Los Angeles (City), Oakland, San Francisco and 40 others.
Pending/Proposed: San Mateo (City) has pending or proposed regulations under consideration.
Phased Implementation: Irvine, Menlo Park, San Francisco are implementing regulations in phases over time.
Regulatory Trend: California shows significant momentum with 44 active use bans, indicating a strong movement toward electric alternatives.
Jurisdictions with gas equipment restrictions
Los Angeles County (temporary AQ emergency)
All leaf blowers (both gas and electric) are banned. County public health issued temporary bans during ash/PM events.
Source: View ordinance
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Alameda
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned: use and sale of gas-powered leaf blowers banned starting Jan 1, 2023 (Ord. 3307); sales are also prohibited and electric alternatives follow noise code hours.
Source: View ordinance
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Atherton
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned, effective July 1, 2024; electric alternatives have hour restrictions and noise limits apply (≤65 dBA often required regionally).
Source: View ordinance
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Belmont
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned (city adopted ordinance banning gas leaf blowers effective July 1, 2024).
Source: View ordinance
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Belvedere
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned. Belvedere Muni Code 8.10.030 prohibits gas leaf blowers.
Source: View ordinance
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Berkeley
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned. BMC 13.40.070(B)(14); equipment use is limited to general tool hours exist; blowers banned if gas.
Source: View ordinance
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Burbank
All leaf blowers (both gas and electric) are banned. LA County Public Health ordered a temporary ban on power air blowers incl. leaf blowers due to ash/PM; not a standing ordinance.
Source: View ordinance
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Burlingame
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned, effective July 1, 2024; electric alternatives have hour restrictions.
Source: View ordinance
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Calabasas
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned. CMC 8.12 prohibits gas blowers; electric allowed within posted hours; equipment use is limited to hours: mon–fri 8a–5p; sat 9a–5p; none sun and noise limits apply (≤65 dBA).
Source: View ordinance
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California (statewide)
General noise ordinance applies, but no specific leaf blower ban is in place; sales are also prohibited.
Source: View ordinance
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Claremont
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned. City reminders: gas blowers strictly prohibited; electric allowed w/ hours; electric alternatives have time restrictions.
Source: View ordinance
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Daly City
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned (gas blowers prohibited since Jan 1, 2024; electric permitted).
Source: View ordinance
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Del Mar
All leaf blowers (both gas and electric) are banned. Citywide prohibition (DMMC 9.20.090).
Source: View ordinance
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Encinitas
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned (gas blowers prohibited citywide since Jan 2020; Ord. 2019‑06); equipment use is limited to elec: mon–sat 8a–6p; sun 12–5p.
Source: View ordinance
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Fremont
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned (ordinance effective Jan 2024 prohibits gas blower use); equipment use is limited to elec allowed during 7a–8p and noise limits apply (≤65 dBA typical).
Source: View ordinance
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Glendale
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned. Gas blower use prohibited citywide beginning Sep 1, 2024.
Source: View ordinance
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Hermosa Beach
All leaf blowers (both gas and electric) are banned. Municipal code prohibits operation of combustion or electric leaf blowers.
Source: View ordinance
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Hillsborough
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned, effective July 1, 2024; electric alternatives have time restrictions and noise limits apply: ≤65 dBA at 50 ft (label required).
Source: View ordinance
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Irvine
Gas-powered leaf blowers are being phased out. Leaf blowers: use ban for large businesses 7/1/2024; residents & small businesses 1/1/2025. Other gas landscaping equipment: 1/1/2025 (large businesses) & 7/1/2026 (residents/small).
Source: View ordinance
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Lafayette
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned (ban effective July 1, 2024).
Source: View ordinance
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Laguna Beach
All leaf blowers (both gas and electric) are banned (ban in place since 1993).
Source: View ordinance
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Lawndale
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned. Use of gasoline-powered mechanical blowers or vacuums prohibited after July 1, 1997.
Source: View ordinance
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Los Altos (City)
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned. MC 11.15.030; original ban dates to 1991; updated 2023; electric alternatives have hour restrictions.
Source: View ordinance
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Los Gatos
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned (ban effective 2014; ordinance 2231; hours as posted); equipment use is limited to elec: mon–fri 8a–5p; sat 9a–4p; none sun/holidays and noise limits apply (≤65 dBA at 50 ft).
Source: View ordinance
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Malibu
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned. Gas-powered leaf blowers prohibited anywhere in Malibu (MMC 8.24.050(K)).
Source: View ordinance
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Manhattan Beach
All leaf blowers (both gas and electric) are banned. MBMC 5.48.330; city reminders 2025.
Source: View ordinance
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Menlo Park
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned (enforcement began July 1, 2024; other gas landscaping equipment banned Jan 1, 2029); electric alternatives have hour restrictions.
Source: View ordinance
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Mill Valley
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned. MMC prohibits gas-powered devices to blow debris; fines up to $500.
Source: View ordinance
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Newport Beach
Gas leaf blowers are banned. NBMC 6.04.040 bans gas blowers in residential zones.
Source: View ordinance
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Oakland
Combustion engine leaf blowers & string trimmers are banned. OMC Chapter 8.64 adopted 2021.
Source: View ordinance
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Palo Alto
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned. See city ordinance page for details.
Source: View ordinance
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Pasadena
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned (gas blowers prohibited citywide since 2023); equipment use is limited to: yes (varies by zone; see faq) and noise limits apply: ≤65 dBA at 50 ft (electric).
Source: View ordinance
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Piedmont
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned. Piedmont Code §12.8.2(b) prohibits gas-powered blowers; electric alternatives have time restrictions.
Source: View ordinance
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Pleasanton
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned. Ban took effect June 1, 2024; equipment use is limited to: elec may be subject to hours (not specified).
Source: View ordinance
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Portola Valley
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned (ban effective Jan 2021); noise limits apply (Electric ≤65 dBA).
Source: View ordinance
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San Bruno
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned (ban effective July 1, 2024; ordinance aligned with nearby Peninsula cities); equipment use is limited to elec: mon–fri 8a–6p; sat 9a–5p; no sun/holidays and noise limits apply (≤65 dBA typical).
Source: View ordinance
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San Francisco
Gas-powered landscaping equipment (incl. blowers, mowers) are being phased out. Ordinance passed Oct 2022; applies citywide by Jan 1, 2026.
Source: View ordinance
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San Mateo (City)
A ban on gas leaf blowers has been proposed. City preparing ordinance; Sustainability & Infrastructure Commission discussed Sept 10, 2025; Council Oct 6.
Source: View ordinance
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San Rafael
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned: ban on gas blowers + specified hours effective Oct 1, 2022 (Ord. 2014).
Source: View ordinance
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Santa Barbara
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned. Gas blowers illegal at any time per Municipal Code 9.16.
Source: View ordinance
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Santa Monica
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned. Ban at all times; enforcement program in place; equipment use is limited to not specified on policy page and noise limits apply: ≤70 dBA (electric).
Source: View ordinance
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Solana Beach
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned (ban in place since 2011; city offers funding for electric landscape equipment); electric alternatives have time restrictions.
Source: View ordinance
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Sonoma (City)
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned (gas blowers banned since 2016); electric alternatives have time restrictions.
Source: View ordinance
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West Hollywood
Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned. Fines generally $100–$500 (per city page); equipment use is limited to: see city code (general hours posted).
Source: View ordinance
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Hiring electric in California
Switching off gas equipment? Browse electric lawn care providers in California — battery-powered and electric companies with contact details and service areas.
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