Charleston, WV Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Weekday hours
- 7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
- Weekend/holiday hours
- 8:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
- Citation
- Sec. 78-212(f)(1)e.
- First-offense fine
- $100
- Repeat-offense fine
- up to $500
Summary
Charleston limits noisy yard equipment, including leaf blowers, to daytime hours: 7 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekends and holidays under the city's noise ordinance.
Noise from domestic power tools, landscaping and yard maintenance equipment, and agricultural equipment when operated between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on weekends and legal holidays;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 56).
Full Breakdown
Charleston's noise ordinance (Sec. 78-212) bans noise generally, but exempts domestic power tools, landscaping and yard maintenance equipment -- which covers gas and electric leaf blowers -- when run between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on weekends and legal holidays. Run one outside those windows and it loses the exemption, becoming an unlawful noise. The code doesn't single out gas-powered blowers for a stricter rule or an outright ban; the daytime-hours exemption is the only leaf-blower-specific limit on the books, same as for other yard equipment.
Violations & Fines
First offense $100; second $200; third $300; fourth $400; fifth and beyond $500, per Sec. 78-212(g), within a 24-month period. Each day of a continuing violation counts as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a gas leaf blower in Charleston?
What happens if I run a leaf blower outside those hours?
Does Charleston ban gas-powered leaf blowers?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Charleston
How Charleston compares: Cities with the Strictest Leaf Blower Rules·Compare Charleston to another location·View the West Virginia noise ordinances overview
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