Gas Leaf Blower Prohibition

Miami Beach is leading the way addressing the impacts and causes of climate change and taking positive steps to reduce community wide greenhouse gas emissions. The Mayor and City Commission adopted regulation to phase out gasoline-powered leaf blowers as part of the city’s commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Transitioning away from gas-powered leaf blowers is beneficial for communities from multiple perspectives including reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, improving water quality, mitigating noise pollution, and promoting operational effectiveness.

Ordinance

Resources

Local Incentives

American Plumbing and Supply
1735 Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 532-3447
Offer: 10% Discount to customers that purchase electric or battery-powered leaf blowers

Silver Paint & Hardware Supply
1138 Normandy Dr, Miami Beach FL 33141
(305) 686-4827
Offer: 5% Discount to customers that purchase electric or battery-powered leaf blowers

Research Comparing Gas and Electric Leaf Blowers

1-GAS-v-BATTERY-LB-11.26

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the impacts of gas-powered leaf blowers?
Using gas-powered leaf blowers results in several negative impacts, including air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, water quality, and noise pollution.

Leaf blowers release air pollutants such as fine particulate matter. This can impact individuals with respiratory issues and also impacts the surrounding environment. Given the city’s close proximity to water, this also impacts the surrounding water quality. Gas-powered leaf blowers also produce noise pollution. Electric leaf blowers can be up to 28% quieter when compared to 4-stroke gas-powered blowers and 13-18% quieter when compared to 2-stroke gas-powered blowers.
Does the City use gasoline powered leaf blowers?
The City is transitioning all of its leaf blowers to be electric/battery powered. The Public Works Department will be fully transitioned to electric/battery powered leaf blowers by Spring 2022. In addition, Ordinance 2017-29867 requires all city landscape maintenance contractors to transition to using electric/battery powered leaf blowers. A small fleet of gas-powered is being kept to be utilized during emergency situations such as hurricanes.
When does the Ordinance go into effect?
The Ordinance will be implemented in a phased approach:
-Education and Outreach (9 months): February 1, 2022 – October 31,2022
-Written Notices (9 months): November 1, 2022 – July 31, 2023
-Full Enforcement: August 1, 2023
What are the fines for violations?
When the full enforcement period begins, the fine schedule will be as follows:
-1st Violation: $250
-2nd Violation: $500
-3rd or subsequent violations in a 12-month period: $1,000
Have other cities regulated leaf blowers?
-State of California: Full prohibition of all small engine powered motors including leaf blowers by 2024.
-Washington, DC: Full transition from gas-power to electric and battery by January 1, 2022
-Naples, Florida: Full transition from gas-power to electric and battery by October 31, 2021. Also requiring dB to be listed on equipment label.
-Palm Beach, Florida: Prohibited use of all leaf blowers on properties under 1 acre in size. Currently in effect.

Financial Hardship Waiver

Gas Leaf Blower Prohibition

GAS LEAF BLOWER PROHIBITION

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