Study Session Presentation - Leaf BlowersSmall Town Service ~ Community Stewardship ~ Future Focus
Council Direction on the
Regulation of Leaf Blowers
Town of Los Gatos
December 16, 2013
Small Town Service ~ Community Stewardship ~ Future Focus
•July 2012
–Sustainability Plan Adopted
–Possible adoption of leaf blower ordinance
(RE-4)
•August 2013
–Study Session
–Direction to provide additional information
•Survey of cities with ordinances in place
•Recommendations to regulate leaf blower use
•Recommendations on educational options and
leaf blower exchange programs
Background
Small Town Service ~ Community Stewardship ~ Future Focus
Leaf Blower Ordinances in Effect
•Cities surveyed
–City of Los Altos
–City of Palo Alto
–City of Beverly Hills
–City of Santa Monica
•Some limits on types of leaf blowers used in
residential areas
•Varying degrees of public outreach & education
•Low priority complaint based enforcement
Small Town Service ~ Community Stewardship ~ Future Focus
Recommendation
1.Join with other local agencies in supporting a Bay
Area leaf blower exchange program and Spare the Air
Day leaf blower restrictions.
2.In residential zones, prohibit gas powered leaf blowers
OR prohibit leaf blowers over 65 decibels.
3.Direct staff to include notice of pending regulations to
gardeners, landscapers, or related business license
holders or permittees.
4.Direct staff to limit the first 6 months of enforcement to
warning notices or letters issued by Police or
Community Development as complaints are received.
Small Town Service ~ Community Stewardship ~ Future Focus
Alternatives
1.Make no changes to the current ordinance.
2.Reduce the hours and/or days for use of leaf
blowers in residential and/or commercial areas.
3.Prohibit the use of gas powered leaf blowers in
commercial areas.
4.Prohibit the use of leaf blowers that emit 65
decibels or more in commercial areas.
5.Prohibit the use of all leaf blowers in residential
and/or commercial areas.