Cathedral City, CA Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)

Section 11.96.050(D) of the Cathedral City Municipal Code makes it unlawful to operate or permit the use of gasoline or electric powered leaf blowers, described as the kind commonly used by gardeners and other persons for cleaning lawns, yards, driveways, gutters and other property, other than between eight a.m. and eight p.m. in residential zones and between seven a.m. and eight p.m. in all other zones. The text names gasoline and electric blowers side by side and sets hours only. This subsection contains no ban on gas models and no decibel cap specific to blowers.

The very next subsection, § 11.96.050(E), applies the same window to privately operated street and parking lot sweepers or vacuums. It adds that emergency work and work necessitated by unusual conditions can be performed with the written consent of the city manager.

Because the code reaches anyone who operates or permits the use, the person holding the blower and the owner who hires the crew are both in range. Section 11.96.020 defines a responsible person as anyone who owns, leases or is lawfully in charge of the property where the violation takes place, or who owns or controls the source of the noise. If the responsible person is a minor, the parent or guardian with custody at the time is responsible.

Exemptions in § 11.96.060 include construction, operation, maintenance and repairs by park and recreation departments, public work projects and essential public services including trash collection, and sounds in commercial and industrial zones that are necessary and incidental to the uses permitted there.

The police department and the code compliance division jointly administer the chapter under § 11.96.080. After a written warning, each subsequent response needed within seventy-two hours is billed to the responsible person at actual cost, with a bill served within thirty days and a right to request a hearing.