On Tuesday, the Walnut Creek City Council is set to hold a public hearing to adopt a community-wide ban on gas-powered leaf blowers for homes and businesses.
If approved, this ordinance would prohibit the use of gas-powered leaf blowers for anyone in the City of Walnut Creek, including City staff and contractors working on City-owned property. The only exemptions listed in the ordinance are for emergency cases as approved by the City or other first responders. This includes when responding to an emergency or as necessary to restore or protect life or property
Under Item 6B, staff has the ordinance ready and the council is being asked to waive the first reading and simply introduce the ordinance adding Chapter 9 (Gasoline Powered Leaf Blowers) to Title 5 (Sanitation and Health) of the Walnut Creek Municipal Code prohibiting the use of gas-powered leaf blowers with limited exemptions.
Walnut Creek sites gasoline-powered leaf blowers create air pollution and pose health risks to operators and individuals who are nearby. They also site AB 1346, which was approved in 2021 and began in 2024, which prohibits the sale of new small off-road engines, including lawn equipment.
Meanwhile, over 100 cities in California have restrictions or bans on leaf blowers, including Lafayette, Pleasanton, Piedmont, Emeryville, Novato and Oakland.
According to the staff report:
Walnut Creek’s City Council adopted the Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) in 2023 which outlines strategies and actions that support the City’s goals to reduce community-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 85% from 1990 levels by 2045 and create a more sustainable, resilient community. Action 15.1 in the SAP states, “adopt a community-wide ban on the use of gas-powered leaf blowers for homes and businesses, to be phased in over the 3 years following Plan adoption.” This action was included in the SAP in response to requests rom members of the community. A ban on gas powered leaf blowers would advance Walnut Creek’s goal to reduce community-wide GHG emissions and align with the SAP.
Enforcement: If adopted, community outreach on the policy will be the primary method to achieve compliance according to the staff report. If enforcement action is needed, this policy would follow the same process as the City’s other regulations in the Municipal Code. This process requires extensive staff time and significant evidence of violation. If complaints are received after the ban is in effect, staff will share information on the policy and resources for transitioning away from gas-powered equipment and services with the property owner associated with the potential violation and will also share resources with the complainant.
Staff Report: Click Here
Ordinance: Click Here
Public Comments: Click Here
Related Leaf Blower Stories:
- Oct 25, 2025 – Lafaytte: Use an Electric Blower or Rake Those Leaves
- June 29, 2024 – Lafayette: Gas-Power Leaf Blower Ban Begins July 1
