Leaf Blower Rules: Pasadena vs South Gate
How do leaf blower rules rules compare between Pasadena, CA and South Gate, CA?
South Gate has fewer restrictions than Pasadena.
Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles County
Pasadena bans gas-powered leaf blowers. Electric blowers limited to 65 dBA at 50 ft. Operating hours: Mon-Fri 8 AM-6 PM, Sat 9 AM-5 PM, no Sundays. Max 15 min/hour on parcels under 1/2 acre, 30 min/hour over 1/2 acre. Fines $116-$1,000.
View full Pasadena rules →South Gate, CA
Los Angeles County
South Gate has no city-specific gas-leaf-blower ban. Leaf blowers, mowers, and edgers are regulated through SGMC Chapter 11.34 (Noise Control Program), which limits on-property equipment noise by zone and time of day, plus the general 'offensive portable noise' standard in §7.44.020.02(a) for landscaping crews working on private property. Statewide, California Assembly Bill 1346 (2021) bans the sale of new gas-powered small off-road engines (SORE), including most consumer leaf blowers and lawnmowers, starting in 2024 under CARB rulemaking — but use of existing equipment remains legal.
View full South Gate rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Pasadena | South Gate |
|---|---|---|
| Gas Blowers | Banned | - |
| Noise Limit | 65 dBA at 50 feet | - |
| Weekday Hours | 8 AM-6 PM Mon-Fri | - |
| Fines | $116 first, up to $1,000 | - |
| City-specific leaf-blower ban | - | None — Chapter 11.34 noise limits apply |
| State law | - | AB 1346 / CARB SORE rule — new-sale ban from MY2024 |
| Existing equipment | - | Legal to own and operate |
| Hired crews | - | Exempt from Ch. 7.44 but subject to Ch. 11.34 |
| Enforcement | - | Code Enforcement + SGPD (§7.44.060) |
| Statute reference | - | Cal. Health & Safety Code §43018.11 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Pasadena FAQ
Are gas leaf blowers banned in Pasadena?
Yes. Only electric leaf blowers under 65 dBA at 50 feet are permitted. Fines start at $116 for violations.
Can I use a leaf blower on Sunday in Pasadena?
No. Leaf blower use is prohibited on Sundays at all times. Saturday hours are 9 AM to 5 PM.
South Gate FAQ
Can I still buy a gas leaf blower in California?
Not new — CARB's Small Off-Road Engine (SORE) regulation, adopted under AB 1346 (Cal. Health & Safety Code §43018.11), prohibits the sale of new gas-powered SORE equipment under 25 hp for model year 2024 and later. Used equipment can still be bought and sold, and you can continue using a gas blower you already own.
Does South Gate ban gas leaf blowers outright?
No. South Gate has not adopted a use ban like Los Angeles City's older blower ordinance. The city regulates leaf-blower noise through Chapter 11.34 Noise Control Program — limits depend on the zone, time of day, and measured decibel level.
What time can my gardener start mowing on a Saturday?
Allowed start times are set in Chapter 11.34. South Gate's general code framework follows the residential-zone decibel limits in Chapter 11.34. Confirm the current Saturday and Sunday windows with South Gate Code Enforcement before instructing a crew to start before 8 a.m.
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