City to Hold Workshop Days Before Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ban Goes Into Effect

The City will hold a workshop on electric commercial leaf blowers on Wednesday two days before the City’s ban on gas-powered leaf blowers takes effect.

The event will feature hands-on demonstrations and details on how to obtain equipment discounts.

A food truck will be on site starting at noon. The workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Brookside Park, 360 North Arroyo Blvd.

A new state law bans the sale of gas-powered leaf blowers by the start of 2024 to help achieve 100% zero emissions in California from small off-road engines (SOREs) by 2035.

About 17 million remains in SB 170 funds available to sole proprietors and other small landscaping businesses to assist in the purchase of zero-emission SOREs, including leaf-blowing machines, lawnmowers and string trimmers.

California Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE) is offering point-of-sale discounts of up to $400 per electric-powered leaf blower for small business and sole-proprietor landscapers. Visit CaliforniaCore.org for more details and a list of participating dealers.

There is also a rebate of up to 75% off the cost of an electric leaf blower offered by South Coast AQMD via their Commercial Lawn and Garden Equipment exchange program (late March/April rollout). The AQMD rebate can be stacked with the CORE voucher.

Last year, the City Council voted to ban the use of gas-powered leaf blowers.