HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-09-16; Leaf Blowers - Impacts and Options for Consideration; |Fountain, Debbie| Barberio, Gary|To the members of the:
CITY COUNCIL
Dateq I I lP I 10\CA _'l[_ CC v
CM J.)._COO J)__DCM (3).JL_
Sept. 16, 2019
Council Memorandum
To: Honorable Mayor Hall and Members of the City Council
{cityof
Carlsbad
Memo ID# 2019103
From:
Via
Re:
Debbie Fountain, Community & Economic Development Director
Gary Barberio, Deputy City Manager, Co!:unity Services
Elaine Lu key, Chief Operations Officer ·
Leaf Blowers -Impacts and Options for onsideration
This memorandum provides a summary of staff's research on leaf blowers and actions other cities
have taken to regulate or prohibit their use. Staff has provided options for addressing the impacts
of leaf blowers as requested by City Council members. Attached is a Briefing Paper on the issue
for review and further consideration by the City Council.
Background
Earlier this year City Council requested that staff research the impacts of leaf blowers and
provide some options on how to regulate them or address their impacts on Carlsbad residents.
Residents have also expressed concerns about the potential negative health impacts of leaf
blowers from noise, air pollution and dust. The attached Briefing Paper provides a history of
leaf blowers and their impacts as well as information on the cities that have chosen to regulate
them and those that have prohibited the use of gas-powered blowers, ranging from complete
bans to restricted uses (i.e., within 500 feet of a residence or during certain hours and holidays).
Discussion
The attached Briefing Paper provides information on staff's findings related to the impacts of
leaf blowers from a perspective of noise, air pollution and dust, best management practices for
operation of leaf blowers, and how other agencies are addressing the concerns/issues related
to leaf blowers. Carlsbad does not have an ordinance that addresses the use and operations of
leaf blowers specifically, nor does the city have a general noise ordinance or any other
municipal code provisions that specifically address the various impacts from leaf blowers. The
city's general nuisance ordinance could, however, be utilized as an enforcement tool in the case
of significant and/or repeated impacts from leaf blowers. Because communities across the
nation have the same issues and concerns with leaf blowers as Carlsbad, there is a great deal of
data and best management practices that Carlsbad can draw upon when formulating a
response to this challenge, if the City Council desires to do so.
Community Services Branch
Community & Economic Development -Planning Division
1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-602-4600 I 760-602-8560 fax
Honorable Mayor Hall and Members of the City Council
Sept. 16, 2019
Page 2
Next Steps
The Briefing Paper on leaf blowers is provided for information purposes at this time. Staff will
proceed a·s directed by the City Council following its review and consideration of the attached
Briefing Paper.
Attachment: A. City of Carlsbad, Leaf Blower Research/Briefing Paper, September 2019
cc: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Celia Brewer, City Attorney
Neil Gallucci, Police Chief
Marissa Kawecki, Deputy City Attorney
Mike Peterson, Assistant Community & Economic Development Director
Don Neu, City Planner
Kerry Jezisek, Senior Program Manager, Special Projects
Executive Summary
CITY OF CARLSBAD
. LEAF BLOWER
RESEARCH/BRIEFING PAPER
September 2019
Attachment A
Residents have recently inquired about a noise ordinance related to leaf blowers. There have
also been related complaints about other mechanical equipment servicing homes such as pool
pumps and air conditioning units, as well as noise from outdoor entertainment systems. In this
research/briefing paper, staff's focus is on leaf blowers, their history, their impacts and options
to address their impacts.
Issues raised by those who object to leaf blowers are most often related to potential negative
health impacts from noise, air pollution and dust. Several cities in Southern California have
adopted ordinances to address the operation of leaf blowers; see Attachment 1 for a list of
those cities. Communities such as Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Laguna Beach, Beverly Hills, Dana
Point and San Diego have instituted bans on the use of gas-powered blowers, ranging from
complete bans to restricted uses (i.e., within 500 feet of a residence or during certain hours and
holidays).
Carlsbad's Municipal Code is silent on leaf blowers, meaning there is not a specific ordinance
-that has been adopted to regulate the use of leaf blowers. Carlsbad has noise provisions
relating to specific activities such as construction (CMC ch. 8.48), entertainment establishments
(CMC ch. 8.09), car repair work (CMC section 8.28.030) and animals (CMC sections 7.04.010 and
7.08.010). The Zoning Ordinance also limits noise in certain zones such as the P-M Planned
Industrial Zone (CMC section 21.34.090), C-M Heavy Commercial-Limited Industrial Zone (CMC
section 21.30.020) (among others). This is not a complete list of noise provisions. It is important
to understand that Carlsbad's Municipal Code does limit noise but not in the specific context of
leaf blowers.
Based on staff's research on leaf blowers, the following options could address the increase in
resident complaints:
1) Educate the community on outdoor noise and best management practices when
operating leaf blowers;
2) Develop a leaf blower exchange or replacement incentive program;
3) Lead by example by discontinuing the city's use of gas-powered and high decibel
leaf blowers; and/or
4) Adopt an ordinance specific to leaf blowers and regulations to mitigate negative
impacts.
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I
History of Leaf Blowers
CITY OF CARLSBAD
. LEAF BLOWER
RESEARCH/BRIEFING PAPER
September 2019
The leaf blower was invented by Japanese engineers in the early 1970s and introduced to the
United States as a lawn and garden maintenance tool. Drought conditions in California
facilitated very quick acceptance of the leaf blower for garden clean-up tasks because the use
of water for those tasks was prohibited. It is important to note that soon after the leaf blower
was introduced into the United States, its use was banned as a noise nuisance in two California
cities, Carmel-by-the-Sea in 1975 and Beverly Hills in 1978. By 1990, the number of California
cities that had banned the use of leaf blowers was up to five total (Del Mar, Hermosa Beach,
Laguna Beach, Manhattan Beach, Santa Monica). The popularity of the leaf blower, however,
continued to grow. By 1990, annual sales of leaf blowers were over 800,000 nationwide, and
the tool had become a ubiquitous gardening implement. Between 1997 and 1998, industry
shipments of gasoline-powered hand held and backpack leaf blowers increased 30% to
1,868,160 units nationwide. (Air Resources Board, 2000)
There are currently 20 California cities that have banned leaf blowers, sometimes only within
residential neighborhoods and usually targeting gasoline-powered equipment; those cities
banning leaf blowers are identified in Attachment 1. Another 80 cities in the US have
ordinances on the books restricting either usage or noise level or both of leaf blowers (See
Attachment 2). Nationwide, two states, Arizona and New Jersey, have considered laws at the
state level, and thirteen other states (Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas and
Washington) have at least one city with a leaf blower ordinance. (Air Resources Board, 2000)
In 2000, the California legislature requested that the California Air Resource Board (CARB)
prepare and submit a report summarizing the potential health and environmental impacts of
leaf blowers, including recommendations for alternatives to using leaf blowers. CARB's
conclusions were that human health can be impacted from noise, fuel and exhaust emissions,
as well as dust generated from the equipment.
Over the past 20 years, leaf blowers have continued to become increasingly afford-able and
popular. As a result, additional studies have been requested from time to time to be com,pleted
by CARB and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to better understand the
magnitude of the potential impacts and required regulations to address those impacts. In 2012,
CARB completed a survey that indicated about 13% of California residential households own
and use a leaf blower. A study in 2015 by the EPA found that there were almost 11 million
gasoline leaf blowers in the United States.
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Leaf blowers and Air Quality
CITY OF CARLSBAD
LEAF BLOWER
RESEARCH/BRIEFING PAPER
September 2019
According to a 2011 automotive-analyst study, running a consumer-grade, gas-powered, two-
stroke leaf blower for 30 minutes creates pollutants equivalent to driving a Ford F-150 pickup
truck for more than 3800 miles (Edmunds, 2011). The tests conducted in the study found that a
consumer grade, four-stroke, gas-powered leaf blower produced almost seven times more
oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and 13.5 times more carbon monoxide (CO) than the high
performance Ford F-150 truck. A two-stroke leaf blower generated 23 times the amount of
carbon monoxide and nearly 300 times more non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) than the
truck. The emissions from a half-hour of yard work with the two-stroke leaf blower are al;>aut
the same as a 3,900-mile drive from Texas to Alaska in a Ford F-150. (Edmunds, 2011)
Leaf Blower impacts on Health
Leaf blowers -regardless of the type -move leaves and other debris by blowing air. Leaf
blowers, aside from just moving leaves and potentially other debris, increase the particulate
matter and create particle pollution. Studies conducted by the Bay Area Air Quality
Management District, Fair Warning (a nonprofit (501(c)(3)) investigative news organization
focusing on public health, consumer, workplace and environmental issues), U.S Surgeon
General Dr. Luther Terry, and pediatricians affiliated with the Mt. Sinai Children's
Environmental Health Center, among others, show that the extremely high-velocity (200 mph+)
winds out of a leaf blower disperse toxins, mold, fungi, particles of animal feces, and other
pollutants into a harmful dust. These studies express that the dust generated by leaf blowers
can cause respiratory symptoms and illness and have indicated that some toxic compounds in
the gasoline exhaust of leaf blowers are hazardous. (Jamie L Banks & Robert McConnell, 2015)
A study by the EPA published in 2015 entitled, National Emissions from Lawn and Garden
Equipment, indicates that gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment is a prevalent source
of toxic and carcinogenic emissions. As related to noise, the World Health Organization
recommends noise levels of 55 decibels or less; 45 decibels to meet sleep criteria. A leaf blower
generally measures at least 70-75 decibels at 50 feet away and far higher at close range. Center
of Disease Control studies indicate that noise from leaf blowers can damage hearing, and cause
other adverse health impacts, including interference with communication, rest and sleep
disturbance, changes in performance and behavior, annoyance, and other psychological and
physiological changes that may lead to poor health. According to CDC Director Dr. Ann,e
Schuchat hearing is easily damaged by many of our daily activities, from mowing the lawn,
using a leaf blower, or even sitting in noisy traffic on the way to work.
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CITY OF CARLSBAD
LEAF BLOWER
RESEARCH/BRIEFING PAPER
September 2019
Because of the concern related to gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment, there have
been significant efforts made by manufacturers to develop new types of leaf blowers that are
quieter and produce less pollution. There has been progress in the development of electric leaf
blowers, both corded and battery-powered. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency figures
show that 25% of US hydrocarbon emissions are created by small machines, which includes leaf
blowers. The electric models have proven to be quieter, because there's no combustion noise;
and they are less polluting.
What can the city do now to address resident concerns?
Educate/Inform. One option to combat the impact of gas powered leaf blowers is for the city to
educate residents on leaf blower usage best practices. The City of Seattle leads the way in this
effort and has developed a thorough and easy to understand leaf blower best practices
pamphlet. The pamphlet (attached as Attachment 3) is made available via the city's website
and covers methods on the best way to protect the environment when using leaf blowers, how
to use a leaf blower courteously, noise reduction options and of course alternative methods to
dealing with fallen leaves and vegetative debris.
Lead by Example. The city can lead by example by discontinuing its use of gas-powered and
high decibel i'eaf blowers and hire only those contractors who use electric or battery-powered
leaf blowers and lawn vacuums, or who employ manual methods of leaf removal (raking and
sweeping). At the present time our staff and grounds maintenance contractors (Park West,
Terracare Associates, West Coast Arborists) use gas-powered, two-stroke leaf blowers. Current
city policy requires that staff, including contractors, not use leaf blowers before 7am or after
7pm, except when a blower may be needed during an emergency response.
Additional staff analysis would be needed prior to any implementation, in order to assess
potential fiscal and environmental impacts. From a legal perspective, the city would be
somewhat limited in terms of contracting capability. While the city could create new contracts
that include this requirement, it could only ask existing contractors to voluntarily consent to
these new terms. Existing contractors would have the right to say no, as the city policy would
not predate the contract execution date. The new terms could also be negotiated into existing
contracts upon any renewal.
Alternative Program Research. City Council can request staff to complete additional
studies/analyses and develop options for the reduction and/or elimination of gas-powered,
high decibel leaf blowers and/or elimination of gas-powered leaf blowers including exchange
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CITY OF CARLSBAD
LEAF BLOWER
RESEARCH/BRIEFING PAPER
September 2019
programs, grant or incentive options to replace gas-powered equipment, educational programs,
health protections for workers and potential phased-in regulations to eliminate or further
mitigate negative impacts.
What can the city do in the future to address resident concerns?
Phase Out and Exchange Program. A reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is possible by
decreasing the number of gas-powered leaf blowers in the city. As gas powered blowers are
either replaced with electric blowers or banned entirely this action would contribute positively
to the city's implementation of the Climate Action Plan helping to meet future emission
reduction targets. If a ban on leaf blowers is desired, a phased approach could be pursued to
eliminate the use and operation of gas-powered leaf blowers over time. The city could pursue
an exchange program for gardener/landscaper-owned gas-powered leaf blowers to be traded
for electric-powered leaf blowers. Or, the city can provide cash for gas-powered leaf blowers,
which provides a discount to purchase a new electric-or battery-powered leaf blower. The City
of Palm Springs developed such an exchange program of gas-powered leaf blowers for battery-
powered leaf blowers, with an exchange priority on less efficient/higher polluting two-stroke
gasoline-powered leaf blower engines.
Another model leaf blower exchange program was initiated by the South Coast Air Quality
Management District (AQMD -which covers the Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange and
Riverside counties) in 2006. Since that time, 12,000 old leaf blowers have been replaced,
reducing 138,729 pounds of hydrocarbon and NOx emissions per year. The AQMD exchange
program has also reduced smog-forming pollutants by 88,282 pounds per year in Southern
California. (Pasadena NOW, 2016) According to the AQMD, in one year, each one of the old
blowers expels as much emissions as 80 new cars, each driven 12,500 miles. Exchanging older
blowers will reduce nearly 14 tons of smog-forming pollution a year. (Signal Tribune Business,
news, 2007) Information about the AQMD's exchange program can be found below as
Attachment 4.
The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District instigated a trade in program for gas-
powered lawn equipment in 1999. The program, entitled "Mowing Down Pollution", has
successfully lowered air pollution emissions by almost fifty tons per year since its inception. The
program held annual exchange events through 2018. At these events, San Diego County
residents replaced almost 10,000 units of gas-powered lawn equipment with zero-emission
electric-powered units. New mowers and other garden equipment was made available to San
Diego County residents on a first-come, first-served basis. The new equipment was priced with
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CITY OF CARLSBAD
LEAF BLOWER
RESEARCH/BRIEFING PAPER
September 2019
deep discounts from the everyday retail price. The discounting was paid for through air
pollution fines. (James Kecskes, 2017)
A phase in/phase out approach such as the above-described examples would offer a less
burdensome alternative to many interested parties, in comparison to a complete prohibition on
gas-powered leaf blowers (see additional analysis in "Municipal Code Revisions" section below).
On the other hand, substantial staff and financial resources would be needed to implement this
type of program.
Municipal Code Revisions. The city can adopt an ordinance to regulate leaf blowers. Hundreds
of cities have already adopted regulations to control these devices either through regulations
restricting their use or banning them (see partial list in Attachment 2). Some cities require all
employees of gardening/landscaping businesses to be trained on the proper use of leaf
blowers.
As an example, the Town of Los Gatos performed significant research on leaf blowers which led
to its adoption of an ordinance prohibiting the use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers in all
areas, and restrictions on electric-powered leaf blowers (limited to 65 decibels or lower). All of
the reference information associated with the Town of Los Gatos' process to adopt its
regulations is available online at: http://www.losgatosca.gov/2059/Leaf-Blower-Ordinance.
A copy of the Town of Los Gatos' leaf blower ordinance is included as Attachment 5.
The City of Saratoga implemented noise standards for the city's residential areas. Attachment 6
is a flyer developed for residents highlighting Saratoga's most commonly requested information
about the city's noise regulations.
It is important to note that while a complete ban on gas-powered leaf blowers may be most
beneficial to the environment and assist with desired noise reduction, this approach may be too
great of a burden on the business community and commercial property owners if implemented
immediately. These stakeholders have more considerable landscape maintenance needs that
require a greater investment of time and resources to adapt to regulations that would
necessitate the replacement of gas-powered leaf blowers currently used by their companies.
Individual residential users would not be impacted to such a high degree, but such a ban ~ay
still be challenging to enforce in a residential context.
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CITY OF CARLSBAD
LEAF BLOWER
RESEARCH/BRIEFING PAPER
September 2019
What can we do to regulate noise levels in general? Currently, the Carlsbad Municipal Code
has various ordinances that address specific noise issues, such as noise from construction, auto
repair, animals, entertainment establishments, short-term vacation rentals, or home
occupations. However, there is no ordinance that generally addresses public nuisance· noise,
defined as any disturbing, excessive or offensive noise that causes discomfort or annoyance to a
reasonable person of normal sensitivities residing in the area. The police department can issue
criminal charges pursuant to State Penal Code section 415, but these charges require the
complainant to sign a citizen's arrest. Such charges are also handled by the District Attorney's
Office, rather than the City Attorney's Office.
With current regulations in California, all new gas and electric blowers are required to be
certified and to display a sound decibel label. The American National Standards Institute
("ANSI") provides manufacturer certification measured at 50 feet (standard B175.2-1996}.
Below are several California jurisdictions that have incorporated decibel levels for leaf blowers
as part of a larger noise ordinance:
Dana Point, California
In Dana Point's residential areas, neither gas nor electric leaf blowers are allowed from 9:00 am
to 5:00 pm Monday through Saturday (banned on legal holidays). The same use restriction is in
place for commercial, industrial and recreational areas within 200 feet of a residential area. A
"not to exceed" noise level of 65 to 70 decibels (depending on the date of purchase) is in place
for leaf blowers.
Culver City, California
Culver City adopted an ordinance prohibiting the sale and use of leaf blowers with noise levels
exceeding 65 decibels. The ordinance will become effective in 2022 and allows a five-year
phase in period to allow existing leaf blowers to deplete their useful life. Allowable hours of
leaf blower operation are 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday and 10:00 am to 5:00 phl
on Saturdays and Sundays.
Burlingame, California
Burlingame's ordinance mandates that all blowers be certified at 65 decibels, either by testing
or by manufacturer rating. The city uses a preapproved list by manufacturer from Consumer
Reports, where the blowers were tested at 65 decibels. Leaf blowers are allowed only in
designated residential areas. Commercial blowers are allowed only one day per week between
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CITY OF CARLSBAD
LEAF BLOWER
RESEARCH/BRIEFING PAPER
September 2019
the hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Residents may use blowers on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 2:00
pm and on Sundays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, in addition to one assigned weekday.
Conclusion
This report provides information on staff's findings related to the impacts of leaf blowers from a
perspective of noise, air pollution and dust; best management practices for operation of leaf
blowers; and how other agencies are addressing the concerns/issues related to leaf blowers.
Carlsbad does not have an ordinance that addresses the use and operations of leaf blowers
specifically, nor does the city have a general noise ordinance or any other municipal code
provisions that address the various impacts of leaf blowers. Because communities across the
nation have the same issues and concerns with leaf blowers as Carlsbad, there is a great deal of
data and best management practices that Carlsbad can draw upon when formulating a
response to this challenge, if the City Council desires to do so.
At a minimum, if directed by the City Council, staff can pursue a first step of outreach and
education by developing an educational guide for both residents and gardener/landscaping
businesses which outlines best practices for the use and operation of leaf blowers. This guide
could address noise reduction options, courteous usage and alternative methods for leaf and
vegetative waste disposal.
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Works Cited
CITY OF CARLSBAD
LEAF BLOWER
RESEARCH/BRIEFING PAPER
September 2019
Air Resources Board, M. S. {2000). A Report to the California Legislature on the Potmnetial Health and
Environmental Impacts of Leaf Blowers. State of California: California Air Resources Board.
Edmunds. (2011, December,6th). Leaf Blower's Emissions Dirtiter than High-Performance Pick-Up
Truck's, Says Edmunds' lnsideline.com. Retrieved from Edmunds.com:
https://www.edmunds.com/about/press/leaf-blowers-emissions-dirtier-than-high-
performance-pick-up-trucks-says-edmunds-insidelinecom.html
James Kecskes, C. o. (2017, May, 9th). Mowing Down Pollution. Retrieved from County News Center:
https://www.countynewscenter.com/mowing-down-air-pollution/
Jamie L Banks, P. M., & Robert McConnell, E. E. {2015). National Emissions from Lawn and Garden
Equipment. Washington, D.C.: Environmental Protection Agency.
Pasadena NOW. (2016, February, 18th). South Coast Air Quality Management District -Leaf Blower
Exchange Program. Retrieved from pasadenanow.com:
http://www.pasadenanow.com/main/south-coast-air-quality-managment-district-1eaf-blower-
exchange-program/#.XMeBtaqWxD8
Signal Tribune Business, news. (2007, August, 2nd). Signaltribunenewspaper.com. Retrieved from Signal
Tribune: https:/ /signaltribunenewspaper.com/592/news/aqmd-sponsoring-leaf-blower-
exchange-offers-monetary-environmental-incentives/
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CITY OF CARLSBAD
LEAF BLOWER
RESEARCH/BRIEFING PAPER
September 2019
Attachment 1
Southern California Cities who have adopted leaf blower ordinances
City Complete Gas Noise and/ or Complete Gas &
Blower Ban Time of Day Electric Blower
Restrictions Ban
Beverly Hills
X
Burbank X
Calexico X
Cerritos X
Claremont X
Corona Del Mar X
Costa Mesa X
Culver City X
Cypress X
Dana Point X
Del Mar X
Downey X
El Segundo X
Fountain Valley X
Gardena X
Glendale X
Hawaiian Gardens X
Hermosa Beach X
Huntington Beach X
Indian Wells X
Indio X
Irvine X
LaCanada X
Laguna Beach X
Lawndale X
Lomita X
Long Beach X
Los Altos X
Los Angeles X
lOJP age
City
Malibu
Manhattan Beach
Monrovia
Monterey Park
Newport Beach
Ojai
Orange
Palm Desert
Palos Verdes
Estates
Pasadena
Redondo Beach
Rolling Hills Estates
San Diego
San Dimas
San Fernando
San Marino
Santa Clara
Santa Fe Springs
Santa Monica
Sierra Madre
Solana Beach
West Hollywood
CITY OF CARLSBAD
LEAF BLOWER
RESEARCH/BRIEFING PAPER
September 2019
Complete Gas Noise and/ or
Blower Ban Time of Day
Restrictions
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Complete Gas &
Electric Blower
Ban
X
X
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CITY OF CARLSBAD
LEAF BLOWER
RESEARCH/BRIEFING PAPER
September 2019
Attachment 2
States, Cities and Counties with leaf blower requirements
12 I Page
Ci
1 Birm,nghsm
2Sydney
3Psrad,se Vslfey
4 Pims County
5 New •Nestminster
6Vanc-o 11:f
7Alameda
8 Bskersfield
Q Burlingsme
10 Cals Bssas ·
11 Claremont
l2 Corons Del M sr
13Coronado
14 Cor..e Msders
15 Cu Ive~ City
16Emer ,.-.,;1ie
1 7 EnclnitSS
18Fai.rlax
19Hermoss Se.sch
20 HighJa d ?ark
2 1 Lsguns Beach
22Larkspu:r
23 Long Beach
24 Los los
25 Los Altos Hills
26Los Angeles
27Los Gstos
28 Menlo Psr',<
2ffMerced
30 Newport Beach
31 Ojai
32Orinds
33Pacific Grove
34 Palm Springs
35Palo Alto
36Pasadens
37 Portola Valley
38 Redondo 3e:ach
39 Sael"amento
4 0 S.a Diego
4 1 Ssn Jose
42 San Louis O spo
43 San ~arino
44San Mateo
45Ssnta 8-srbe s
46Santa Cruz
47 Ssnts Monies
48S9rstogs
49 Sebss:opol
50Serrs sdre
5 1 Solana 8.ea.ch
52Sonon'\..9
53Sl Helena
54 Studio City
55 Sunnyvale
56Tiburon
57To ranee
5SUCLA
59Ukaih
80Wslnut Creak
6 1 1Nni:tier
62As en
CITY OF CARLSBAD
LEAF BLOWER
RESEARCH/BRIEFING PAPER
September 2019
State
AL
AUS
AZ.
AZ
BC
BC
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
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Attachment 2
Ci
63 B.asatt
64 Bo Ider
85Danbury
6~ Greenwich
67New haven
68S!amf~d
681N1tton
70 Coral Gab'.ces
71 Hinsboro
72 J.acl<sonv1lle
73 Key Biscsyne
74Key Nest
75Ns.ples
76 Pslm Besch
77 South Miami
78 St. Petersburg
7gvero Beach
80 'Nest Palm Beach
8 1 Honolulu
S2Sun Valley
83Centra!ia
84 Evan:ston
35GEnoa
S6 Oak Par',c
87 'Ntlmette
38 New Orle.ans
S9 Arlington
Q0Biookline
91 Cambridge
92Cohasset
93Concord'
94 Framing.ham
95 Lincoln
98 Marble.head
97Newton
Q8Salem
99 Swsmpsco:t
100 1Nellesly
101 Cl">evy C ase
102 M on:gom ery
103Takom.a Part<
104Femon
105Minr.espolis
106 Ksnsss City •
107 Chspel HJII
108Rste,gh
109Salem
110Dennis
1 11 M a.p•ewood
1 n Mon1clair
113 Morristovm
114 Old Tappan
115 Pea.cock/Gladstone
118 Princeton
117 Albuquerque
118 Las Vegas
119Bedford
1208everly
12 1 8 onx'lille
122 Cornwall
123 Croton on Hudson
124Esst Ham :on
State
co co
CT
CT
CT
CT
CT
FL
FL
FL
FL
FL
FL
FL
FL
FL
FL
FL
H I
ID
IL
IL
IL
IL
IL
LA
M.A
I\.\A
MA
MA
MA
MA
MA
MA
MA
MA
MA
MA
MD m
MD
Ml
MN
MO
NC NC
NH
NJ
NJ
NJ
NJ
NJ
NJ
NJ
'M
NV
y
NY
NY
NY
NY
lY
Ci
125 Eastchester
126 Garden City
,.27 Greenburgh
128 G reenport
129 Hastings on Hudson
130 Huntington
13 1 tr.,;ngton
132 l srch.moot
133 Msmaror.ecl<
134 'ew Castle
135 New Hempstead
136 New Rochelle
137 ysclc
13.8 Orangetown
139Ossining
140Oys:er Bay
141 Pless.sntville
142 Pound Rrdge
\43 Ros
144 Rye
145Sauge es
146 Sleepy Hollow
147 South.ampton
148 Syracu se
149 Tarrytown
150Ten.afly
15 1 Thomaston
152Tuckahoe
153 Westchester Cnty
154 \Nh e P sins
155Yonkers
156'\,Vest Csrrollton
157Oskv'ille
158 Toronio
159 Corvallis
160E1..)gene
181 Portland
182 Lower Merion
183 Beaconsfield
184 Westmount
'
185 'orth Providence
166 Beauford
187 Bluffton
18-8 Houston
169Cherokee Cou nty
170Roanoke
171 Sesttle
172\Nes!ey Heig hts
173\.Vas ingion
174 Milwaukee
175Charleston
1761s ael
1 77 Stste of Arizona
178Slste of Cs ifornia
179Stale oi Hawaii
180Siate of Mass.
181 S1.ate of New Jersey
182 Stste ,of New York
183 Staie of Vermont.
184 Stste of 1Nashi'lgton
State
NY
NY
NY
t..fY
NY
NY
NY
NY
NY
NY
NY
NY
NY
NY
NY
NY
NY
NY
NY
NY
NY
NY
NY
NY
NY
NY
NY
NY
NY
NY
NY
OH
Ont
Oni
OR
OR
OR
PA
Que
Que
R I
SC
SC
TX
VA
VA
WA
woe
ll,/'OC
\NI ,.,vv
CITY OF CARLSBAD
LEAF BLOWER
RESEARCH/BRIEFING PAPER
September 2019
Attachment 3
City of Seattle Leaf Blower Best Practices Guide
14 I Page
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ENVIRONMENTAl QUAlffY
Newer Equipment is Better
epoW€1
Maintenance
• Roufine~checkihemufter,oainioke,ondoir~;er1fo
oke r:re b!o1:e!i orewo1ktn~ al peok peif O!monce
• Never modify bloweri; use Oi fa cf cry daecled
ust and Air Quality
• Do not usef orconsfructiondusl or plaster dus
c is guide i1 in!ended lo pro~de lip1 and suggestions
for using a leaf blower. These best practices hove
been developed in consullolion with:
Seo Ille Cenler,Seollle Cilylighl.Seo1lle Depor1men
of Con1iruclion and lnspeclions, Seo Ille Deportment
of Finance and Administrative Services, Seol!le
eportment of Troosportalion, Seattle Par~ and
Recreation, Seattle Publ:c Utilities
• • • • • •
!her useful inform a lion con be found 01:
See "Matntenance Plans" and other
sustainable landscaping topics
EPA Slondords for Small Equipment
11N11, .;po,g :iv/1eg .. ~ :~r1-em111:m-1,eht!~1-and-er,g'r1s ii
regulolions-em~sions-small-equipment-too~
~I~ City of Seattle \ii '• ,c-.L-:.-:.::._~--
LEAF BLOWER BEST
PRACTICES GUIDE
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-Qil~ City of Seattle Leaf Blower Best Practices Guide
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CITY OF CARLSBAD
LEAF BLOWER
RESEARCH/BRIEFING PAPER
September 2019
Attachment 4
Town of Los Gatos leaf blower Ordinance
17 I Page
CITY OF CARLSBAD
LEAF BLOWER
RESEARCH/BRIEFING PAPER
September 2019
ORDINANCE 2231
AN ORDINANCE OF TH£ TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF
LOS GATOS AMENDING SECTION 16.20.60 OF THE. LOS GATOS TOWN
CODE RELATlNG TO RESTRICTIONS ON LEAF BLO\VER
OPERATlONS AND ADDING SECTION 16.20.70
WHEREAS, the use of motorized k:af blower~ ,1dvi;:r~dy impacts cotnmunity hea lth and
we! fare; and
WHEREAS, motorized l·eaf blowers generate higJ1 noise lcvds, which disrupl
111:tghborhood tranquility, di!,turb residents; workers and visitors, and thereby degrade the quality
oflffe in Los Gatos; and
WIIEREAS, the use of motorized leafblowcrs increases the voh.m,i:: of particulate matter
in the air ;ind tht.:reby exacerbates allergies and J'esp iratory ailments.
NO\V, THEREFORE, THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
DOES HEREBY ORDAI N AS FOLLOWS:
Los Gatos Town Code Scclicm 16.20.60 is hereby amended lo read as follows:
Sec .. 16,20.060. Powered e<1uipment.
a) Gasoline leaf blowers !Shalf be prohibited from use in all residential,
commi.;rcial, and industrial ;,:ones or puhli c sr,ace.
b) Elediic leaf blowers in e~ccss ot· 65 dcdbt.:ls shall be prohibited from use
in all residential. co mm el'cial, and industrial zones or public space,
measured 50 feet from the source.
c) l'v1iscellaneous nonstationary no ise sources such as; electri c or gasoline
lnwn mowers, ckctii cal leaf blowers, edge trim mers, hedge trimmc'ts uml
other similar moveable noise sources shall be operated only during the
hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays and 9:00 n.m. to 4:00 p.m.
weekends in residcntia!, commercial , industrial, public spaces or noise
sensitive zones. Letifblowcr use is prnhibitcd on Sundays and holidays.
d) The provisions of this section shall not apply to emergency work as
defined in a1iic.le J of this chapter.
18 I P age
CITY OF CARLSBAD
LEAF BLOWER
RESEARCH/BRIEFING PAPER
September 2019
e} Powered toys and models. No person shall operate or permit to be
operated any po,.vcrcd toy or model, as defined in article I of this chapter,
so as to cause a noise distlffbanc;; acwss a r<::sidential prnperly plane or
violate the limitations and provisions ofthjs chapter.
Sec. 16.20.070. Enforc.emcnt and Yiolation-penul1y
a) The Town Manag(,r, or his 01· her design~e, hns primary responsibility fo,
enforeein,:mt of this Chapler. The Town rvtanager is authorized to promulga1e
rcgul.11ions and to take ;my and all 01her actions reasonable sud necessary to
enforce 1his Chapter, including, but not limited to, invest igating viok1tions, and
issuing fin~s.
b) If the Town i\'lan:iger or hi5 (lr her designee dete1111ines thm a viol.ition of this
Chapter has occum;.d, lie /;;he will issue a written warning notice that a violation
has occ11tTed.a11d the polentiul pcrtalLics that will apply for future violation s.
c) The vio lation of an y provision contained in this chapter. is h!.":rcby declared
to be unlawful and any person or entity found to be in violation shall be
guilty of an infraction, which shall be punishable by a fine not excee<ling
five hundred dollars.
d) The remedies provided in this subsection an: not cxclu!>ive. awl nothing in this
subsection shall preclude the use or application of any other t'emedics, penalties_
or pmccdures estnbllshed by law,
Any provision of the Los Gatos Town CJr appendicc.~ thereto inconsistent with the
provisions of t.his Ordinance, to the extent of such inconsistencies and no further, is hereby
repealed or modi lied lo that extent necessary to effoct the provisions of this Ordimmcc.
If any section, subsection, sentence. d ause, or phrase of this Ordinance is for any re.ison
held to be invatid or unconstitutional by a decision of any coun of competent jurisdiction, such
decision sha ll not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordirrnncc. The Town
Council hereby declares that it would huve passed thb Ordinuncc and 1.:ach and every section,
subsection, sentence, clause, or phra.se not declared invalid or unf...'onstitutiunal without regard to
\Vhcthcr any portion oftJ;c ordinance would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional.
19 I Page
CITY OF CARLSBAD
LEAF BLOWER
RESEARCH/BRIEFING PAPER
September 2019
The Mayor shnll sign and the Town Clerk shall allcst 10 the passage of this Ordinance.
The Town Clerk shall cause the same to be rublished once in the official newspaper within 15
<lays aflcr its adoption. This Ordinance slrnll become effective 30 days from its adoption.
This Ordinance was introduced at a Rcg1ilar meeting of the Town Council of tht: Town of
Los Gatos, on !\fay 9, 2014, and adopt<Xl by (he following vote a1, an ordinuncc of the Town of
Los Gato~ at a Regular meeting of the Tov,·n Council of the Town of Los Gatos, California, held
on the 2nd day of.lune 2ll l 4. This ordinance takes effect 30 days after it is adopted.
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
A YES: Marcia Jensen. Barbara Spector, f\fayor $(even Lcon:m.lis
NAYS: Diane McNutt , Joc Pirz:;.mski
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN
ATTEST:
~~
CL~RK ADMfNlSTRATOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
20 I Page
CITY OF CARLSBAD
LEAF BLOWER
RESEARCH/BRIEFING PAPER
September 2019
Attachment 5
South Coast Air Quality Management District leaf blower exchange program information
21 I P age
CITY OF CARLSBAD
LEAF BLOWER
RESEARCH/BRIEFING PAPER
September 2019
EXCHANGE PROGRAM
Registration Open ~ can To1 Register 1-888-425-6247
lhtS.ut.Jfo1;;1/iri!JJ,inJ'll,ng,n1rtllislni:ti1il 0j:01 r<gilrilim[lf lhii)lt'(Sk<[Efaimfuhn,;cll:oqm1100 Ju'f ll.faocod'mjceffll1'111llt,,,Mdc,,Sllll inlfdilyafi<,s.ltn;i:f.,,_~jnf~1
on Au pl 15 md tlorlh lilf)WOOrl <ll llll;u>12L D: \'iillt wm dso ocld c»:hzng, ~l(r/ls ill>~.114-]1 a: lhtirr<llil CI!llfilin C\:rJoo•o:l lw!>. 'm ih!I Ol?Op!ll ball ru,,,,t,:d,µJ11iq;111'!,. Pr,,--;"li!tr.Jliln
i<l!BJlllPJDJnrl u,, •=·iali:o i, ldpsli:U:r lhe·dRDlrocatilo JHMdrc!M .!, nwinr:mofili."(Sl l,.ifbl:ilm ran btrumnJro ft1 ~n1fnyini1.Jlm frmmcniil l1ml,upm;an:lgJnl,rei;
011:ulil)Jwffliil f<J: GtJ o[Ln1 llnrr.ki cm ~.hin!r-~ll!-P,111!!~ bul.p«'trr.i[bl~A>:tl fi:f IHltO:j'-jKIAl!lm l,mlfav.mtomIDtlfJ\ll .I:<l '.illlll !I idv.:oo:m:I jllll'. l':Jtfo;wlim iHlroapm bMil)•
1ii<l 001111y,gmrks; ,proil dtlrlru,v.fuci dl'rl:1sinduUtge1. lli5 :;=ann:ai, tffrfrig flllll (4)1Hl!Cly-do:ili!mrddi. C&ctap:m ar,«d~lfl: 'Mlh tr narl,,i:lc<f a ·~oon; ~dir~-pru'O"-ll
IHdpltll•.Jftll!.ltt fur.t,l\r.t11ill111.uhw,>1h:si.rwil bt~,m lld uJ l!!ttlv.iu,dlhtMhbM".
Model Dis,counledi Price
® DsWALT BCBL790X1 $150w11h rral);-3l ffit1a11 YJIUe$Wl
eatter,-clil:rrK lur.dMd IE.JI bllll\e
,[to m b,nteiy air.I dmqaJ
@ DsWALT BCBL590X2 $2SOwithlr.i~-ln(Rct-:i1,~lucS0»)
a~neiy-eli;;:rr1e bact pact 1e.1r bl1J11"o
(Wla:b b,;ttery an:! clmg3}
Model Discounted Price
~ STIHL BGA 85
Batter1-e1Krrtlrmllitld IE.Jlblo1Y€1
[t,dl));s b,;tteiy ard dlirqa-}
~ STIHL BGA 100
ll,;lll'JY-ell'Clik h.!d p.n IE.Jrbllll\6
Cllduo3b,;UeJY arddmga:I
$ 2 00 will! lrade-ln O )::tllf 'l'al!l: S479'.9l)
$500v.11llmdc-tnOl,aa1!'1a!wSl,419.91}
Mooe!: OCillSOOI2 STIHL
Mil<il'l:f!(i,\ JCO
fa m;il'lelj'GU mlfl ,pea with m a11mrlm1 byraling 1-~1½141 (i2is1f!y-rrli!JJ:iom a,11m LGSpm.i lib!'. dnnct lmunr.lli'J;~"' =l JO!llOCJJ!'lL Fm m11d n[m:wforrro
llr. lroi!Ia11n~ l)lme•lilitoo. l\'t!I p,gtdl \ll\\'N:.l<lJmlgrNJllcm~/,ro;,tM!!frcnvmrJ1y2nrl l'!~l lli'm !l;utrnmL I[ )\l'J hm •C)l!'llit.11 )'lllITfl r.1TIJU<lllif.we.~\m,!!gu,:
Exchange Dates
and Locations
Onlyrn!lrniagr~ser1ations finm 8am. to
12 pm. ar2 available.
Tuesday, August 15
Van Nuys
Sepulveda Lawnmower
8202 Sepulveda Blvd.
Monday, August 21
North Hollywood
Simon'.s Power Equipment
12117 Vanowen Street
£1/chanfli m11/s far lleWiilt b111feryefecfTic ~ liol\flrs will be refd Aug. 14-31 al tlrr:ir &nfce renter.; in 011tuio and AIJJfflim.
1., iministroomik rmlifodc dd air,~c 11 CDlt.1-0r (Sf.J.11,10) .tdrl iJSrrij:(icn p,:ra cl ir11:trarrbbdr 1q11Joo1.i.d mat rs l1 dcjlio. Orr. inlmamlins m fo ciufad de 1£6 h¢ ~r r~ 1crnp,1trn >TIil
t<IOO, 2 mocdo10:~J1dilra1 def:,,w:ri, o'tctricd. tosrug,i1t1y ftdmsoo:VJnhiJJ,d 15&: "JOO[O y lb lhlfrll)'\\<>:idd 11 deJg,sl!l lm<nj>JlilC~,'/,J[t 1M!bim~freced1?Smcd:h1 &, 1>11tri,dctlrira1
9r.eo1C11m.m;n igl>Stll l~-31 rn On~ooyfc.wim. <)! «qticicrrot&ripcioo ylilmilitm de SscpLloot.isPilfa intm:,mhi,iru, JlN (l)(l'lJ'fi~ u cig,iriToxioa Paisajsta<yjm!irj'.Il!S orm.r<Tole;(lU,lralP.jm
mlHiurlld deto.A,;gelespna;,nilicr=llimoji•ctrn deroochil,deg!!olni pu< scp!,ocra<o:b,mfo deruica d<Jmill d!'lrontad<:G. wnv5mrbron ln.l'l"1e.l1t.itcs, lo,;impoe<msembmoo
!J.ll.dJ1 en.el 1\\lorc,igml dcla ,.,l,dt<a.
w1w1.aqmd.gov Ii l'l
CITY OF CARLSBAD
LEAF BLOWER
RESEARCH/BRIEFING PAPER
September 2019
Attachment 6
City of Saratoga Noise Standards flyer
23 I Page
CITY OF CARLSBAD
LEAF BLOWER
RESEARCH/BRIEFING PAPER
September 2019
GARDEN TOOLS
P.owered. g-Jiden tooh c:an b~ used my dl!Jy ofthewe.ek bztween 8 a.m. and 'ip.m. ·rnis cJ!oc:s. not
includ~ gas-j)O'Ne-red. luflblowers, chainsaws :md wood chipper •. , which ha\'e-spe-ci-.il limjtations.
Gas-powcwd leafbl.m\'!!rS, cJ11ainsaws, :i,nd w□a-<l chippers c·an. be ':Lied Monday through Friday from
S a:.m. to :5 p.m. On Sa.t1miays, they cm i:e uSl!cl from tu a.m. to 5 p.m-They cannot be u~ed on
SuncL.ry...
PoWl!rad gm-den tools, with the exception of wooll cltippers,. are lim'it£d ID· 78 d~cibels, mc-asur!!tl 25
fact from the tool. 5-:nmd from wood chippers. c:rn not exc,m:l 100 decib.el.!1.
ANLMAL.5
It is e~cctcd that owners will keep· lheir animals from making noi~e diswb:am:e-s bctwren 10 p.m.
::md 7:t.m~
Ccmtinu□l!JS nnis<l ca'!JSed by ·an llrtimal-s•.tcb :;,,;: bar',dng, squawking, or m,?owir.g-bctwc-:en 7 a.rn.
:me! 10 p.m. is gemrally not allowed. N□ise is considered "conti111101Js~ ifit occms uniaterru;pted for
5 minutes or intermittm!ly for at least 30 mi mites. T hese lim[tatkms do not apply if w animal is
protectirtg its owmr{s), resi,stin,g tresp:i:s.m {s), or is. prn•ioki!d.
c o:-.;:STRLTCllON
Construction [, allowed Mond':i}' through Friilay between 7:JO un. and 6 p.m. _On S1mrd'ays,
construction = occu between 9 am_ ·and $ p.m_
RBi:drnti:tl construction that do~s not rcguir~ a C1ty p,1rmlt, ,or which doe;, r,ot c.xcecd 50 percent of
th.e exis□n,g main or a..:c.eoiw,-y strucnrre., m:i.y rake· pb,ce between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. an Sun.:fay.;. and
weekday holidays. All ,other construction i5 not :ilbwed on Sundaj'$ or weekday lwilidays.
MUS[C
O□tdoo, ma;ic in th~ S:rrata~ Vtllage is. allowed by s.p;?cid permit on fl'rii:la)S from 5 p.m. to
9 p.m., Saturdays from 4 p.m.to 9 p.m., and Sundays from lt 2.m. to,4 p.m. Musi-c i::mnot l!..'l:Cc'i!d
73 decibels me:1si.red 25 foet from the source.
Llve and rnrnrdecl musk is allowed rnstde :my b1,t;jn,e., 1n the City. \'\,'lndmY-6 wd doors must be
dosed after 9 p.m. while music is being played.
flEJDAITS
Noise, exception p•ermvts can be er::>tai11ed for c,!rt:lin s,pecil!! &th'ities a!!ld m ;nt;;. Th.i! Plann.in,g
Dhision in th11 Com munit}' De·,1!!1apment D~partm~nt issue. the;e perm its.. roar mare information,
otll 408.868.1.22.2 orvistt w1v,v.sarato.ga.ca.us/cr:kl.
COMP l~ajXT'S
Complaints :i.re iri,,-estig-.atec.! on ·a c~-by-case !l'as[s. Anonymous cornpl:lint,;. wiU □<DI be s.rnep!ed.
Busine;.s Hours.1,'li'eekdays: 40B.B6R12l4 (Communjty Development Dep:uitm~t)
Afierliours1,¥eekends/Holida}'s: 40iLl9'i.2J n (Sheriffs Oft1c,e DJsp2tch)