Your Leaf Blower May Be Illegal Soon: Where Bans on the Loudest Landscaping Tool Are Spreading Rapidly Across the U.S.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Fall is here, bringing beautiful foliage—and the roar of gas-powered leaf blowers. But that familiar sound is being silenced in a rapidly growing number of communities across the United States. More than 200 cities, counties, and local jurisdictions, along with several states, have implemented outright bans, restrictions, or incentive programs to encourage the switch to quieter, cleaner electric alternatives.
The issue is gaining significant momentum fueled by major concerns over noise pollution and severe environmental and public health impacts.
The Hidden Cost: Noise and Health Dangers
The initial pushback against these tools often starts with noise pollution. As David Masur of PennEnvironment notes, the incessant “whirring” combined with the smell of gas and smoke is problematic for residents, especially those working from home.
However, the more alarming reasons for the bans are centered on health and the climate:
- Health Hazards: Proponents warn that the pollution discharged by gas-powered blowers can cause or contribute to serious health issues, including asthma and heart attacks.
- Climate Pollution: In New York alone, gas-powered lawn equipment was estimated to have produced nearly 1.4 million tons of climate pollution in 2020, equivalent to the emissions from over 300,000 cars annually.
Where Bans and Incentives are Taking Hold
The transition away from gas is happening everywhere, from large states to local communities:
- California passed a state law in 2021 banning the sale of new gas-powered leaf blowers and weed whackers, effective January 1, 2024.
- Washington, D.C., enacted a use ban back in 2018, imposing fines of up to $500 for each offense.
- Montgomery County, Maryland, banned the use of the tools as of July 1, 2024, following a ban on their sale the previous year.
- The trend is reaching the state level, too: In the New York State Legislature, a bipartisan bill for an electric lawn equipment rebate program passed the Senate, with advocates now urging Governor Kathy Hochul to include the measure in the 2026 budget.
- Retail Giants like Home Depot and Lowe’s are reportedly decreasing inventory of gas models in favor of electric alternatives.
Rebates and Pushback
While some states like Texas have passed laws prohibiting outright bans (often to protect the oil and gas industries), the incentive approach is proving popular.
Cities including Dallas, Austin, and Louisville, Kentucky, are offering rebates to citizens and landscapers who purchase electric equipment. State programs exist in places like Colorado, Indiana, and Massachusetts.
These initiatives help reduce pollution and provide crucial support for local businesses—such as lawn care companies and arborists—who face the cost of replacing their older, gas-guzzling fleets. Several major companies, including Ace Hardware and tool makers Milwaukee Tool and STIHL, are backing these transition programs.
The movement to go green in landscaping is no longer a fringe idea—it’s quickly becoming the standard for communities prioritizing public health and environmental sustainability.
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yes yes yes yes yes
Please ban
We hear the blowers every day this time of year. It’s the most irritating noise to hear.