New Regulations On Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers Take Effect In North Shore Communities

NEW TRIER TOWNSHIP, IL — New limits to the landscapers' use of gas-powered leaf blowers took effect this week in several New Trier Township communities.

Village trustees in Glencoe, Wilmette and Winnetka last year passed ordinances amending their local leaf blower regulations following their participation in a regional working group with representatives of other North Shore towns and the commercial landscaping industry.

"This was probably the number one complaint I received from residents during the pandemic — the aggravation, noise pollution, air pollution caused by these devices," said Wilmette Village Manager Mike Braiman. "And we weren't alone, our neighbors were receiving the same calls and the same complaints and that's what led to this joint review process."

The working group concluded that a year-round ban on gasoline-powered blowers was not practical in the area as a result of the area's mature tree canopy and technological limitations.

City officials in Evanston, who were not a part of the group, nonetheless passed an outright ban on gas-powered blowers that took effect last April and requires all leaf-blowers to be electric.

In Wilmette, as of Jan. 1, 2024, gas-powered leaf blowers are only permitted during April, October and November, extending its ban from 20 to 40 weeks a year.

Additionally, the use of these leaf blowers for personal lawn care is restricted to weekdays between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Trustees instructed the village's Environmental and Energy Commission to study the changes and consider a potential year-round ban.

In Glencoe, the village board approved the same limits — April 1 to April 30 and Oct. 1 to Nov. 30. — along with restrictions on leaf blowing before 7 a.m. or after 6 p.m. on weekdays.

The restrictions, which can be adjusted by the village manager, also allow for leaf blower use from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays.

Village staff said the restrictions were encouraged by the Glencoe Sustainability Task Force. Electric leaf blowers can be used all year round within the village's normal work operations hours ordinance.

The Winnetka Village Council passed its own nine-month ban on gas-powered blowers along the same schedule its New Trier Township neighbors, but it granted a three-year exemption to the Skokie Playfield and Winnetka Golf Club.

The regional leaf blower working group, which released its 66-page final report just over a year ago, was co-chaired by Braiman, Glencoe Village Manager Phil Kiraly and Highland Park City Manager Ghida Neukirch.