San Mateo City Council
March 2, 2026

Leaf Blower
Ordinance
Introduction
Andrea Chow
Sustainability Analyst, City Manager’s Office
1 Recommendation
• Introduce an Ordinance to amend San Mateo Municipal Code Chapter 10.80 “Operation of Leaf Blowers” to prohibit the use of gas leaf blowers.
2 SSMC Chapter 10.80 “Operation of Leaf Blowers
• Hours of Operation
• Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Applicable to residential zoning districts and areas bordering residentially zoned neighborhoods
• Leaf blower use prohibited on Sundays and certain designated holidays
3 Proposed Ordinance – key changes
• Prohibits the use of gas leaf blowers citywide
• Includes an effective date of January 1, 2027
• Allows the assignment of penalties to the gas leaf blower operator and to the property owner who hired or employed the services of a person or business utilizing gas leaf blowers
4 Restriction of Electric Leaf Blowers- Hours of
Operation
5 Option Hours of Operation Where
Option 1 Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm;
Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
residential zoning districts and areas
bordering residentially zoned
neighborhoods
Option 2 Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm;
Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Citywide
Option 3 Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm;
Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Monday through Friday 7:00 am – 6:00 pm;
Saturday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Citywide except for specific uses
Specific uses: commercial, office, or
industrial use, or City-owned property
Recommendation
• Introduce an Ordinance to amend San Mateo Municipal Code Chapter 10.80 “Operation of Leaf Blowers” to prohibit the use of gas leaf blowers.
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