Due to the length of other matters, Mayor Victor Gordo said a discussion set for Monday on a proposed ordinance that would prohibit the use of gas-powered leaf blowers in the city would come back on Oct. 18.
The matter could also be referred back to the city’s Public Safety Committee.
Complaints about gas-powered leaf blowers have long been an issue among Pasadena residents, who have complained about air and noise pollution, as well as workers using them early in the morning, outside of operating hours.
According to the Napa Valley Register, an Edmunds Report found that a gas-powered leaf blower emitted 23 times more carbon monoxide and 300 times more hydrocarbons than a 2011 Ford Raptor high-performance pickup.
The South Pasadena City Council recently banned the machines.
Pasadena’s Environmental Advisory Commission took up the issue in October to “create a package of information” for the City Council’s Public Safety Committee to consider at an upcoming meeting, according to a Pasadena Now story at the time.
The Public Safety Committee was to use that information to make recommendations to the City Council, including banning the devices or considering alternatives. However, the issue was never discussed by that committee.
Currently, all leaf blowers in the city – gas and electric – are regulated under the Pasadena Municipal Code. Chapter 9.37 of the code specifies prohibitions on their use in a residential area or within 500 feet of one, such as the times they’re allowed to operate, how many of them can be used on a given parcel, and how long they can be used within a given period of time.
The code also requires annual certification by the Public Health Department of all leaf blowers in the city.
The Planning and Community Development Department and the Code Compliance Division are in charge of enforcing these regulations.
In a report for the City Council’s meeting on Monday, the city manager said the council may direct the city attorney to prepare an ordinance to amend the Pasadena Municipal Code and prohibit the use of gas-powered leaf blowing machines within Pasadena, refer the matter to the Public Safety Committee for further consideration, provide city staff with direction on the matter, or take no action and delay further discussion until later.
The city manager’s report showed statistics on complaints received about leaf-blowing equipment, saying up to 359 have been received from 2015 to this year. Of these complaints, about 275, or 77%, have involved the use of leaf blowers outside the allowed operating hours. Other complaints include exceeding the allowed length of use, the noise level while in operation, and debris being blown over a property line.
According to the city’s current ordinance regulating leaf blowers:
- It is unlawful for any person to use or to operate, or cause to be operated any type of leaf-blowing machine or device within a residential area before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m.on Saturday; or at any time on Sunday.
- It is unlawful for any person to use or allow to be used or to operate or cause to be used or operated any type of leaf-blowing machine or device in the city within a radius of 500 feet of a residential area before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m. Saturday; or at any time on Sunday.
- It is unlawful for any person to use or operate, or cause to be used or operated, a leaf blower in such a manner as to blow, dispel or make airborne leaves, grass cuttings, paper, trash, or any other type of unattached debris or material, which, by use of the leaf blower, will intentionally cause such leaves, grass cuttings, paper, trash or any other type of unattached debris or material to become airborne or travel beyond the property boundaries of the parcel on which it is being used, to adjoining properties or public rights-of-way within the city, and to remain therefore more than 15 minutes.
The city manager’s report said more outreach efforts need to be implemented to include virtual workshops for homeowners and in-person demonstrations for gardeners and landscapers in order to gather as much input as possible for the City Council.
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