Walnut Creek Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ban Takes Effect April 1

by CC News 04/01/2026

written by CC News 04/01/2026

With it being April 1, the City of Walnut Creek’s gas-powered leaf blower ban now takes effect after being approved last fall.

Walnut Creek City Manager Dan Buckshi said as of today, April 1, 2026, the use of gas‑powered leaf blowers is prohibited in Walnut Creek. Gas‑powered leaf blowers create harmful pollution that has negative health impacts on residents and workers, and reducing this type of air pollution helps support a healthier Walnut Creek. Property owners are responsible for ensuring compliance with the ordinance, whether they use a leaf blower themselves or allow someone else to do so on their property.

To help with the transition, the City has informational resources and flyers on their website for community members to share with neighbors, gardeners, and landscapers. Residents can also report the use of gas‑powered leaf blowers through SeeClickFix.

For more information, visit the City’s Leaf Blower page on its website.

The Policy: The City’s Municipal Code will be updated to add Chapter 9 (Gasoline Powered Leaf Blowers) to Title 5 (Sanitation and Health). The policy will prohibit any person, business or entity who owns, manages or rents property in the City to: (1) use or operate any gasoline powered leaf blower in the City or (2) to hire, allow, employ or retain the service of a person or business to use gasoline powered leaf blowers on the property. Limited exceptions are allowed for emergency cases as approved by the City or other first responders. The policy was discussed in detail at the November 4, 2025 City Council meeting. The agenda and meeting recording can be find on the City’s Public Meeting Agenda and Videos webpage.

Walnut Creek joins over 100 cities in California have restrictions or bans on leaf blowers, including Lafayette, Pleasanton, Piedmont, Emeryville, Novato and Oakland.

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