Leaf blowers, widely used in yard maintenance, are the subject of repeated complaints related to air pollution from combustion products and fugitive dust, as well as noise pollution, particularly from gas-powered motors. Several local, state, and federal agencies across the U.S. have published reports concluding that there are potential health and environmental impacts associated with leaf blowers. According to a report to the California legislature on the potential health and environmental impacts of leaf blowers prepared by California Environmental Protection Agency, exhaust emissions from leaf blowers consist of the following specific pollutants of concern: hydrocarbons from both burned and unburned fuel, and which combine with other gases in the atmosphere to form ozone; carbon monoxide; fine particulate matter; and other toxic air contaminants in the unburned fuel, including benzene, 1,3-butadiene, acetaldehyde, and formaldehyde.

Alternatives to gas-powered leaf blowers include electric leaf blowers, electric mowers, and manually operated tools such as rakes and brooms. Electrically operated leaf blowers are the preferred alternative to gas-powered leaf blowers because they provide plenty of power without producing exhaust emissions or as much noise.

On May 17, 2017, the Mayor and City commission adopted resolution 2017-29867 (Attachment A) supporting the recommendations of the Sustainability and Resilience Committee and the Finance and Citywide projects Committee to begin transitioning away from gas powered leaf blowers. The resolution outlined the requirement for all city landscape maintenance operations and city landscape maintenance contractors to convert to non-gas-powered leaf blowers in all future bids and contracts for city landscape maintenance work.

Since the adoption of the resolution, the Public Works - Greenspace Management Division has included language in its landscape maintenance contracts not allowing the use of gas-powered leaf blowers. Moreover, their internal operations have completely transitioned to electric with the exception of a few gas-powered blowers that are in inventory in the event of a natural disaster. These are only used under extenuating circumstances. The Public Works - Sanitation Division is in the process of transitioning to electric powered blowers and expect to replace their existing gas-powered inventory by Spring 2022.

The following is presented to the members of the Land Use and Sustainability Committee for discussion and further direction. The Administration recommends the City Commission adopt an ordinance that prohibits the use of gas-powered leaf blowers citywide.