Berkeley banned gas-powered leaf blowers in 1991, making it one of the first US cities to do so, well ahead of California statewide AB 1346 small-engine phaseout.
Berkeley Municipal Code 13.42 prohibits the use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers citywide, a rule adopted in 1991 that predates California AB 1346 by three decades. Only electric and battery-powered blowers are permitted, and even these are restricted to 8:00am to 8:00pm on weekdays and 9:00am to 8:00pm on weekends. Commercial landscapers operating in Berkeley must use electric equipment or face substantial fines, and the city actively enforces through code inspectors. Berkeley residents pressured the state to adopt AB 1346 and the 2024 small-off-road-engine ban aligns California with Berkeley practice. The ordinance applies to all property owners, renters, and contractors.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Berkeley, CA
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Berkeley, CA
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Berkeley, CA
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Berkeley, CA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Alameda County.
See how other cities in Alameda County handle leaf blower rules.
See how Berkeley's leaf blower rules rules stack up against other locations.
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