Bethlehem has not adopted a leaf-blower-specific ordinance. Gas and electric blowers are governed only by the general unnecessary-noise rule in Section 717.01(a)(2) and the analogous construction-hours window of 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. No decibel cap or motor-type restriction applies.
Unlike Philadelphia (Bill 230634-A, gas-blower phase-out adopted 2024) and a handful of Pennsylvania municipalities, Bethlehem's Codified Ordinances contain no leaf-blower-specific provision. Operative rules are the general nuisance prohibition in Section 717.01(a)(2) (no sound annoying a reasonable person) and the construction-and-improvements window in Section 717.01(b)(5), which on its face covers construction, drilling or demolition between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Landscaping equipment is not expressly listed, so blowers are governed by the general nuisance rule and the Article 705.01 disorderly-conduct provision if neighbors are disturbed.
Operation that annoys a reasonable person violates Section 717.01(a)(2): $50-$100 first, $100-$300 second, $500 or 30 days for third. Pre-6 a.m. or post-9 p.m. operation may also be charged under Section 705.01 disorderly conduct (Section 705.99 penalties).
Bethlehem, PA
Bethlehem Zoning § 1322(yy)(4) expressly refers pool fencing to the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, which adopts the 2018 International Swimming Pool...
Bethlehem, PA
Bethlehem Zoning Code Article 1318 does not impose a separate list of prohibited fence materials, leaving fence-material regulation to general property-maint...
Bethlehem, PA
Bethlehem's zoning code does not require neighbor consent for a boundary fence under Article 1318, but Pennsylvania common-law partition-fence principles and...
Bethlehem, PA
Bethlehem requires a zoning permit from the Bureau of Code Enforcement for any fence installation as part of general zoning compliance under Article 1318 (he...
Bethlehem, PA
Bethlehem caps household animals at six without a permit: Section 1159.04 of Article 1159 (Animals) requires application for a permit for any household keepi...
Bethlehem, PA
Bethlehem's local wildlife-feeding enforcement runs through Article 1159 nuisance provisions (Section 1159.06) of the Codified Ordinances and property-mainte...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Lehigh County.
See how other cities in Lehigh County handle leaf blower rules.
See how Bethlehem's leaf blower rules rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.