San Clemente Municipal Code Ch. 8.50 Leaf Blower Operations

This chapter shall be known as the "Leaf Blower Ordinance."

(Ord. No. 1716, § 3(Exh. A.1), 10-5-2021)

The purpose of this Chapter is to establish leaf blower standards that reduce noise levels and exhaust of greenhouse gas emissions with the intent to improve quality of life and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public and natural environment.

(Ord. No. 1716, § 3(Exh. A.1), 10-5-2021)

This chapter shall take effect on November 4, 2022.

(Ord. No. 1716, § 3(Exh. A.1), 10-5-2021)

For purposes of this chapter only, the terms below have the following meaning:

A. "Electric Leaf Blower" means a leaf blower powered by electricity supplied by batteries or a direct wiring connection to electric current.

B. "City Contractor" means any person that enters into an agreement with the City to furnish products or services to or for the City.

C. "Commercial Operator" means any person who, for compensation or hire, engages in providing services or products.

D. "Gas Leaf Blower" means a leaf blower powered by a combustion or gasoline engine.

E. "Leaf Blower" means any portable, hand-held, or backpack air blowing machine that uses a concentrated stream of air to push, propel, or blow dust, leaves, grass clippings, cuttings, and trimmings from trees and shrubs or other debris.

(Ord. No. 1716, § 3(Exh. A.1), 10-5-2021)

The use of gas leaf blowers is prohibited [except when operated by City contractors for the term of contracts existing on September 7, 2021].

(Ord. No. 1716, § 3(Exh. A.1), 10-5-2021)

Electric leaf blowers may be used in compliance with the following:

A. Sound Rating Certification. Leaf blower models shall be used that are category 1 rated by American National Standards Institute ("ANSI") or an outside laboratory (e.g., Underwriters Labatory) that confirm manufacturers of leaf blower models produce a maximum sound rating of 65 dB(A) measured 50 feet from the noise source (ANSI standard B175.2).

B. Operating Hours. Leaf blowers may be operated Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., and Saturday, Sunday, and City-recognized holidays between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Outside these time periods, leaf blowers must comply with noise restrictions in Municipal Code Chapter 8.48, Noise Control.

C. Dust and Debris Control. No person shall use a leaf blower to deposit dirt, dust, leaves, grass clippings, trimmings, green waste, solid waste, or other debris onto a neighboring property or into a street, sidewalk, gutter, or storm drain.

D. Required Use of Mufflers and Blower Tubes. Leaf blowers shall be operated with the attachment of mufflers and full extension blower tubes supplied by the leaf blower manufacturer.

(Ord. No. 1716, § 3(Exh. A.1), 10-5-2021)

To facilitate enforcement of this chapter, commercial operators shall affix or write business information on leaf blowers operated in the City of San Clemente. The information shall include the operator's: 1) business name, 2) address, 3) telephone number, and 4) City-issued business license number.

(Ord. No. 1716, § 3(Exh. A.1), 10-5-2021)