Los Altos Municipal Code Ch. 11.15 Leaf Blower Regulations

The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards to protect the natural environment, increase sustainability efforts, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, further enforce the city's noise ordinance, and improve the overall quality of life within the City of Los Altos.

(Ord. No. 2023-496, § 2(App. B), 7-11-2023)

"Leaf blower" or "leaf blowers" means any portable, hand-held or backpack, air blowing machine that uses a concentrated stream of air to push, propel, or blow dirt, dust, leaves, grass clippings, trimmings, green waste, solid waste, or debris.

"Gas powered" means any portable power equipment that is powered by a self-contained fuel engine.

(Ord. No. 2023-496, § 2(App. B), 7-11-2023)

The use or operation of any leaf blower powered by a combustion or gas engine shall be prohibited.

(Ord. No. 2023-496, § 2(App. B), 7-11-2023)

A.

Leaf blowers powered by line current (plug-in) or by battery may be used in the City of Los Altos subject to the provisions of this chapter.

B.

Permitted hours of operation by any person(s) shall be as follows:

7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday and Sundays.

C.

Operation of a leaf blower shall not deposit dirt, dust, leaves, grass clippings, trimmings, green waste, solid waste or debris into a street, sidewalk, gutter, or storm drain.

(Ord. No. 2023-496, § 2(App. B), 7-11-2023)

A.

Authority and enforcement of this chapter shall be enforcement as prescribed in Title 1 of the Los Altos Municipal Code.

B.

Each violation of this chapter shall be considered a separate offense.

First Violation shall result in a written warning.

Second Violation shall result in an infraction of one hundred dollars ($100.00).

Third Violation shall result in an infraction of two hundred dollars ($200.00).

Fourth Violation and subsequent shall result in an infraction of five hundred dollars ($500.00).

(Ord. No. 2023-496, § 2(App. B), 7-11-2023)

A.

The responsible party assigned liability for the operation and use of a gas-powered leaf blower shall be the recorded property owner of the site where the violation has occurred.

When a violation has occurred that results in the issuance of an administrative citation, the citation will be mailed to the property address where the violation occurred and if different a copy will also be sent to the property owners address as provided on the Santa Clara County tax roll.

(Ord. No. 2023-496, § 2(App. B), 7-11-2023)

Nothing in this chapter is intended to or shall be interpreted as conflicting with any federal or state law or regulation.

(Ord. No. 2023-496, § 2(App. B), 7-11-2023)

If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this chapter is, for any reason, held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity or effectiveness of the remaining portions of this chapter. The city council hereby declares that it would have adopted this chapter and each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase, and portion of this chapter irrespective of the fact that one or more, sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, phrases, or portions thereof may be declared invalid or unconstitutional to this end, the provisions of this chapter are declared severable.

(Ord. No. 2023-496, § 2(App. B), 7-11-2023)