Santa Cruz County, CA Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)

Unlike some California cities, Santa Cruz County's unincorporated area does not have a chapter that specifically bans gas leaf blowers or restricts them to set hours. Instead, leaf blowers and similar 'portable power equipment' are addressed through SCCC Chapter 8.30's offensive-noise framework. The County General Plan Noise Element expressly identifies 'leaf blowers, lawn mowers, portable generators, electric saws and drills and other similar equipment' as sources that 'frequently create noise during daylight hours' and can temporarily 'produce very high noise levels at the location of the work.' Because there is no time-of-use restriction, daytime use is generally allowed, but operation that exceeds the Chapter 8.30 thresholds (75 dB or discernible at 150 feet during the day; 60 dB or discernible at 100 feet at night) can be cited as offensive noise. Note that statewide, California has adopted a phase-out of new gas-powered small off-road engines, including many leaf blowers, under CARB regulations (effective for new equipment sales beginning 2024), but that is a state product-sales rule, not a County operating ordinance. Always confirm current local rules, as the County may adopt new equipment standards over time.