Chapter 10.80
OPERATION OF LEAF BLOWERS
10.80.010 PURPOSE.
It has been found that leaf blowers cause considerable noise and air pollution and have been the source of numerous complaints by San Mateo residentscitizens living in residential zoning districts. This chapter is intended to regulate the use of leaf blowers to minimize noise and air pollution in the City's residentially zoned neighborhoods and in areas bordering residentially zoned neighborhoods.
10.80.020 LEAF BLOWER—DEFINITION.
“Electric leaf blower” is defined as any leaf blower powered by electric means, including but not limited to, battery-powered equipment. “Gas leaf blower” is defined as any leaf blower powered by a combustion engine using gasoline or any other liquid or gaseous fluid.
“Leaf blowers” are defined as portable equipment that is powered by a self- contained fuel engine and used in any landscape, maintenance, construction, property repair, or property maintenance for the purpose of blowing, dispersing or redistributing dust, dirt, leaves, grass, clippings, cuttings and trimmings from trees, shrubs or other debris.
10.80.025 PROHIBITION OF GAS LEAF BLOWERS.
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or authorize the operation of a gas leaf blower within the city limits.
10.80.030 RESTRICTION OF ELECTRIC LEAF BLOWERS - HOURS OF OPERATION.
No person shall use or operate aan electric leaf blower in a residential zoning district or in areas bordering a residential zoning district before 8:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday, nor prior to 9:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Use of electric leaf blowers on Sundays or on the following holidays is prohibited: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, 4th of July, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.
10.80.040 LIMITATIONS ON USE.
Any person who uses or operates a leaf blower in a residential zoning district or in areas bordering a residential zoning district shall use a blower nozzle extension and shall run the blower at a low speed to minimize noise. No more than one blower shall be operated at a residence at any time.
10.80.050 REMOVAL OF DEBRIS.
No material or matter blown by leaf blowers shall be blown upon neighboring properties or onto any portion of the public right-of-way, including but not limited to sidewalks and streets, without being immediately removed.
10.80.060 VIOLATIONS.
It is unlawful for any person or entity to violate the provisions of this chapter.
Enforcement of this chapter shall be subject to enforcement pursuant to Title 1 of the San Mateo Municipal Code or any legal remedy available by law. Violations of this chapter may be enforced against the leaf blower operator and/or property owner who has hired, employed or engaged the services of a person or business utilizing leaf blowers.
10.80.070 CONSTRUCTION.
No section of this chapter shall impose a mandatory duty on the City, or on any officer, official, agent, employee, board, council, or commission of the City. Instead, if any section purports to impose a mandatory duty of enforcement, that section shall be deemed to invest the City, and the appropriate officer, official, agent, employee, board, council, or commission with discretion to enforce the section or not to enforce it.