Regulating the Use of Gasoline-Powered
Landscape Equipment
Sean Youra
Climate Action Coordinator
Town of Fairfax
Phasing Out Gas-Powered Landscape Equipment
• Recommendation: Include all gas- powered landscape equipment within the scope of the ordinance
• With some exemptions provided
• Targeted outreach conducted with
local landscapers
• Costs of electric landscape
equipment comparable to gas- powered equipment
• Performance is also equivalent, if
not better, than gas-powered
equipment
• Budget $27,000 to replace Town- owned gas-powered equipment Commercial Residential
Equipment Type Electric
Model
Exists?
(Y/N)
Electric
Average
Cost
Gas
Average
Cost
Electric
Model
Exists? (Y/N)
Electric
Average Cost
Gas
Average
Cost
Leaf blower Y $400 $350 Y $250 $150
String trimmer Y $300 $350 Y $150 $200
Hedge trimmer Y $400 $400 Y $180 $150
Edger Y $300 $400 Y $100 $200
Pole saw Y $750 $650 Y $300 $250
Chainsaw Y $450 $450 Y $250 $350
Mower Y $600 $500 Y $400 $300
Riding mower Y $6000 $3500 Y $3000 $2500
Trade-in and Rebate Program
• Recommendation: Set up a trade-in
and rebate program with Fairfax
Lumber & Hardware
• Trade-in and rebate program
modeled off of San Anselmo’s
program for leaf blowers with some
modifications
• Fairfax Lumber & Hardware is
supportive and able to host the
program
• Rebate program based on equity
and frequency of usage
• Budget $10,000 for rebate program
Equipment Type Residential Discount Commercial Discount Leaf blower 50%, not to exceed $125 70%, not to exceed $280 String trimmer 50%, not to exceed $75 70%, not to exceed $210 Hedge trimmer 30%, not to exceed $55 50%, not to exceed $200 Edger 30%, not to exceed $30 50%, not to exceed $150
Pole saw 20%, not to exceed $60 40%, not to exceed $300 Chainsaw 30%, not to exceed $75 50%, not to exceed $225 Mower 40%, not to exceed $160 60%, not to exceed $360
Riding Mower 10%, not to exceed $300 20%, not to exceed $1200 A 50% discount for up to two extra batteries could be provided to commercial landscapers that purchase at least one of the equipment listed in the table above, not to exceed $500 in total for the batteries. Alternatively, commercial landscapers could receive a 50% discount on a commercial backpack battery, not to exceed $680.
Enforcement and Education
• Recommendation: Stagger the compliance dates for the ordinance • January 1, 2023 – Residents and Town staff
• January 1, 2025 – Landscapers
• Climate Action Committee members and staff would educate the community about the ordinance prior to the compliance dates • Enforcement escalation:
• First six months after compliance date – Warning letters • Post-six-month period – $100 fine, online class, or proof of purchase of electric equipment
• Increased fines for subsequent violations