Arlington County, VA Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Gas-powered blowers/vacuums
- banned at all times countywide
- Electric blowers in 'R' districts
- banned during Nighttime hours
- Weekday Daytime hours
- 7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
- Weekend/holiday Daytime hours
- 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
- Gas blower ban effective date
- January 1, 2029
- Fine range
- $250 first offense, $500 repeat
Summary
Arlington County has banned gas-powered leaf blowers and leaf vacuums outright: Code § 15-6.Q makes it unlawful to operate one "at any time," anywhere in the County. A separate rule, § 15-6.K, bars any motorized leaf-blowing device, gas or electric, in an "R" residential zoning district outside the code's Daytime hours.
K. It shall be unlawful to operate a motorized leaf-blowing device in any “R” zoning district during the Nighttime. ... Q. It shall be unlawful to operate or permit the operation of any gas-powered leaf blower or gas-powered leaf vacuum at any time. (1-1-75; 8-14-76; 8-25-81; Ord. No. 14-04, 5-10-14, effective 7-1-14; Ord. No. 26-16, 7-18-26. Effective 1-1-29;)
Full Breakdown
Arlington's leaf blower rules layer two provisions inside the noise control chapter's list of prohibited acts. on Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays. Q. Landscaping crews working in Arlington's "R" districts must confine any motorized leaf-blowing device to daytime hours and use only electric or battery models, since gas models are barred outright. Q, Ordinance No. 26-16, was adopted July 18, 2026, effective January 1, 2029.
Violations & Fines
Violating either leaf blower provision is a civil offense under § 15-10: a fine of up to $250 for the first violation and up to $500 for each subsequent one, issued by the County Manager as a written citation and payable to the County Treasurer. Each hour of continued use after a citation counts as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are electric leaf blowers allowed in Arlington County?
When did Arlington's gas leaf blower ban take effect?
What hours can a landscaping crew use a leaf blower in a residential neighborhood?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Arlington County
How Arlington County compares: Cities with the Strictest Leaf Blower Rules·Compare Arlington County to another location·View the Virginia noise ordinances overview
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