Pasadena’s City Council could decide Monday whether to prohibit the use of gas-powered leaf blowers in the City, or refer the matter back to the Public Safety Committee for further consideration.
The use of gas-powered leaf blowers have long been an issue among Pasadena residents, with complaints reaching City Hall ranging from air pollution and noise pollution, to operating them outside of allowed operating hours and beyond the permitted length of operating time.
Currently, all leaf blowers in the City – gas and electric – are regulated under the Pasadena Municipal Code. Chapter 9.37 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 can they be used within a given period of time.
The City 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 City 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 percent, have involved the use oif 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.
In 2019, the City’s Environmental Advisory Commission formed a Landscape Equipment Ad Hoc Committee to gather and compile information about leaf blowers and other types of landscaping equipment that would help the Commission draft recommendations to the City Council. Last February, the Ad Hoc Committee presented a memorandum that included recommendations, among which is a proposal to further consult with residents or conduct a public poll, and to research how other cities near Pasadena have adopted regulations for the use of leaf blowers.
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, to gather as much input as possible for the City Council.
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