Pleasanton Gas Leaf Blower Ban Now In Effect

PLEASANTON, CA — Pleasanton’s about to get a little more quiet as a gasoline-powered leaf blowing ban takes effect. Initial restrictions went into place in December after the ban was approved 4-1 by the Pleasanton City Council in December, and a more restrictive version went into effect June 1.

The ban was passed as part of the city’s adopted Climate Action Plan, and aims to reduce emissions and noise, according to the city. Gas-powered leaf blowers are no longer sold across the state of California as of Jan. 1, but their use is still permitted. The city said that the first three to six months of the ban will focus on education rather than enforcement, but after that, property owners may incur fines after a warning. Fines will begin at $100 and could reach as high as $750, Pleasanton Senior Code Enforcement Officer Mark Dennis said during a December council meeting.

The new ban is estimated to cost the city $180,000 for equipment, extra batteries, chargers, and infrastructure electrical upgrades. The city said it anticipates that will pay for itself in a year or less because electric leaf blowers are less expensive to operate and maintain.

See here for more information.