Why are leaf blowers so loud?
Proposed standard
Leaf blowers must not exceed 65 decibels near homes
The Short Answer
Gas leaf blowers are loud because small, cheap two-stroke engines drive a fast air jet, and few places cap their noise.
Blowers spread in 1970s California, when drought rules pushed gardeners to replace hoses with air. They reach about 100 decibels at the operator's ear and roughly 65 to 80 at 50 feet, depending on the model and the test. Landscapers value the power, speed and low price, and battery models have shorter runtimes and cost more upfront. Most cities regulate hours rather than decibels, because measuring noise is hard. Some now ban gas models. Santa Monica has banned them since 1991 and, since 2023, allows only electric blowers rated 70 dB or less. Washington, DC banned the use and sale of gas blowers from 1 January 2022, with fines up to $500. Zurich voters approved a ban on petrol blowers in September 2025, with 61.7% in favor, and limited battery models to October through December. California's AB 1346 aims to end sales of new gas small off-road engines. Critics say bans burden small businesses, are hard to enforce and ignore other noisy equipment. Supporters point to hearing, sleep and air-quality harms.
Sources · Includes AI research
The Problem
Gas leaf blowers can exceed 100 decibels at the operator's ear. A 2017 pilot study measured individual gas machines at 77.6 to 80 dB(A) from 50 feet, and found low-frequency sound stayed above World Health Organization daytime outdoor guidelines out to 800 feet. Many cities limit the hours blowers can run but not how loud they are.
The Standard
Leaf blowers used near homes must not exceed 65 decibels. Cities that already do this measure the rating at 50 feet using the ANSI B175.2 test method.
Where It Exists
Cupertino, California has allowed only blowers rated 65 dBA or less since November 2022. Los Altos Hills, California has set a 65 dB limit at 50 feet since January 2024. Portland, Oregon allows only blowers on its certified list rated 65 dBA or quieter from March through October. A 2023 New York City bill with a 65 dB(A) cap on sales was never enacted.
Pros & Cons
Pros (5)
Gas blowers can exceed 100 dBA at the operator's ear, which risks hearing loss without ear protection. The US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends a limit of 85 dBA averaged over an eight-hour workday and says allowed time halves for each 3 dBA increase. A lower cap protects the crews as well as neighbors.
A 2018 study cited by Green Building Advisor measured gas blowers at 67 to 77 dBA at 50 feet and electric models at 57 to 67 dBA. A 65 dBA cap is therefore reachable with products on the market today.
A 2017 community pilot study found low-frequency sound dominated at all distances and stayed above WHO daytime outdoor guidelines out to 800 feet. The authors tie this kind of exposure to sleep disruption, hypertension and reduced cognitive performance, based on earlier research.
Cupertino and Los Altos Hills cap blowers at 65 decibels measured at 50 feet, and Portland uses a certified list of blowers rated 65 dBA or quieter from March through October. Third-party labs test blowers with the ANSI B175.2 method, so crews can buy compliant models.
Cupertino requires gas models to carry the ANSI B175.2 label or list the rating, and electric models must list it. Residents report violations through the city's 311 service, and a first verified violation brings a courtesy notice. An hours-only rule, as in Santa Monica's policy on motorized landscaping equipment, does not limit how loud a blower is.
Cons (5)
A backpack battery for a leaf blower can cost as much as $1,500, according to NPR. Jamie Banks of Quiet Communities said landscapers must also buy enough batteries and chargers to meet their workload. The National Association of Landscape Professionals said California's $30 million subsidy for new electric equipment works out to about $15 per piece of gas equipment replaced.
In Winter Park, Florida, landscaping company representatives told city leaders that battery blowers are less powerful, need charging and are heavier on workers' backs. Landscaper Austin Acocella told NPR that standard batteries do not last long enough for his work.
In the 2017 pilot study, individual gas blowers measured 77.6 to 80 dB(A) at 50 feet, above manufacturer ratings of 73 to 77 dB(A). A cap based on labels may not match what neighbors hear, and a meter check in the field would add enforcement work.
The authors of the 2017 pilot study concluded that A-weighted decibel measurements do not adequately capture the community impact of leaf blower noise, because low-frequency sound dominated at all distances. A 65 dB(A) cap could therefore pass a loud, bass-heavy machine.
Cupertino holds property owners responsible for any blower use on their land, including by a hired gardener, and relies on reports through its 311 line. Some states also limit local action: Georgia and Texas have restricted local governments' power to regulate gas blowers.
Where It Exists
Places where similar policies have been implemented or proposed
3 locations found
The council adopted the ordinance on 15 December 2022, and it took effect on 1 January 2024. Leaf blowers cannot exceed 65 decibels at 50 feet under the ANSI standard. Use is allowed 8:00 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Saturday.
Cupertino passed its ordinance on 2 November 2020, and it took effect on 6 November 2022. Only certified blowers rated 65 dBA or less, measured at 50 feet, may be used on any property. Property owners are responsible for use by hired gardeners.
Int. 959-2023 was introduced on 16 March 2023. It would have made it unlawful to sell any gas-powered leaf blower rated above 65 dB(A) and limited weekend use. It was filed at the end of the session on 31 December 2023 without being enacted.
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