The City Council next week will consider prohibiting the use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers in Coronado to address concerns about noise and air pollution.
The city completed a conversion of all of its leaf blower and string trimmers and those used by its contractors to zero-emission tools last year. An ordinance to ask the same of residents and landscapers in town will be introduced on October 15. A second reading is set for November 5 with the ordinance going into effect, if approved, on January 1, 2020.
In July, the council asked for options to implement a ban throughout the city with the goal of reducing noise pollution and improving air quality. The city found that most cities have addressed concerns about noise and air pollution through regulatory restrictions or prohibitions of various gas-powered tools.
The proposed ordinance will explicitly prohibit the use of any portable gasoline-engine-powered leaf blowers to remove leaves, dirt or other debris from sidewalks, driveways, lawns or other surfaces. The ordinance will apply to everyone in Coronado including property owners, businesses, residents, contractors and landscape maintenance companies.
The new ordinance will establish penalties and enforcement procedures including a written courtesy warning to first-time offenders. Enforcement will be complaint-based and administered primarily by community development and police departments.
The City Council emphasized the importance of informing the public of the proposed ban and suggested that time limits for using other types of leaf blowers be established to minimize noise impacts. The council will consider a draft ordinance that will limit the hours of use for leaf blowers to between 7 am and 7 pm.
