Costa Mesa, CA Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Weekday hours
- 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Saturday hours
- 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday/holiday hours
- Noon to 5:00 p.m.
- Noise cap
- 65 dB; 55 dB max for 15 min
- Measured at
- 50 feet from the blower
- Window buffer
- No use within 10 feet of a window
Summary
Costa Mesa restricts leaf blowers in residential areas to 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays and holidays. Section 20-10 caps blower noise at 65 decibels, bars operation within 10 feet of an open window, and requires each blower to carry the operator's business name and phone number.
(a) Residential areas. In residential areas, or within 50 feet thereof, the use of leaf blowers is prohibited except during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays; and 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays and legal holidays. (b) Maximum noise levels. Notwithstanding provisions of Chapter XIII, Noise Control of Title 13 of this Code, the maximum noise level emitted by leaf blowers shall not exceed 65 decibels and shall not exceed 55 decibels for more than a total of 15 minutes at any given location. The noise level shall be measured at a distance of 50 feet from the leaf blower. (e) Identification required. Each leaf blower shall have the business name, address, and telephone number affixed to it in a clear, identifiable manner.
Full Breakdown
Section 20-10(a) of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code states that in residential areas, or within 50 feet thereof, the use of leaf blowers is prohibited except during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays and legal holidays. Outside those windows, running a blower in or near a residential area is unlawful regardless of noise level.
Subsection (b) sets a hard noise ceiling: the maximum noise level emitted by leaf blowers shall not exceed 65 decibels and shall not exceed 55 decibels for more than a total of 15 minutes at any given location, measured 50 feet from the machine, and this cap applies notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter XIII, Noise Control of Title 13, meaning it overrides the citywide noise ordinance rather than deferring to it.
Subsection (c) bars blowing dirt, dust, debris, leaves or clippings onto an adjacent street or property and requires prompt sanitary cleanup. Subsection (d) forbids operating a blower within 10 horizontal feet of any operable window, door or mechanical air intake. Subsection (e) requires every leaf blower to display the operator's business name, address and telephone number in a clear, identifiable manner, aimed at commercial landscaping crews.
Violations & Fines
Section 20-12(j) separately declares that operating a leaf blower inconsistent with Section 20-10 is itself a public nuisance, so a violation can trigger the full Title 20 abatement track: a director's notice to abate under Section 20-15, service by posting and certified mail under Section 20-16, and civil fines of up to $1,000 per day under Section 20-13(a) if noncompliance continues, with a 10-day right to appeal to the city council under Section 20-17.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time can I use a leaf blower in Costa Mesa?
Is there a noise limit for leaf blowers in Costa Mesa?
What happens if a landscaper violates the leaf blower rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Costa Mesa
How Costa Mesa compares: Cities with the Strictest Leaf Blower Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Costa Mesa to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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