BATTERY-POWERED
LEAF BLOWER
DISCUSSION
FEBRUARY 20, 2024
Background
- July 2018 – Council approved City-wide ban
- August 2018 – Ban became effective
- September 2022 – Council revisited ban, made no
changes
- December 2023 – Council requested discussion on
possibility of allowing battery-powered devices
Mechanical Benefits
- Efficiency
- Up to 5 times faster than manual collection
- City Operations
- 1,500 annual labor hours vs 7,500 hours
- Residential
- Less physical demand
- Cheaper contract services
Gas-Powered Impacts
- Noise
- Gas-powered blowers – 95 to 115 decibels
- “Very Loud“ similar to a motorcycle engine
- Dust
- 200 MPH winds
- 5 pounds of particulate matter per hour
- Emissions
- Air pollutants – hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, etc.
- Comparable to vehicle emissions
Battery-Powered Advantages
- Noise
- 65 to 85 decibels
- Some models 59 dB
- “Loud “ similar to a vacuum cleaner
- Emissions
- Rechargeable batteries, zero emissions
- Dust –
- 200 MPH winds
- 5 pounds of particulate matter per hour
Police Enforcement
- FY 2021-22
- 61 Enforcement contacts
- FY 2022-23
- 232 Enforcement contacts
- Mixed residents and non-residents
- January 2023 thru January 2024 (most current data):
- 513 calls for service
- 125 Enforcement contacts (24% of all CFS)
- 36 citations (observed violations)
- 89 written warnings (violation not observed, educational) - All recipients, except one, live outside of Redondo Beach - Function of Quality of Life Unit
- Code Enforcement (RBMC, Admin Cites, Complaints)
Current Ordinance
4-24-507 Domestic Power Tools
(c) It is unlawful to operate any
motorized leaf blower in the City at
any time.
Next Steps
- Council Provide Direction on
Policy Preference
- Staff will work to Implement
requested Course of Action