Cranston, RI Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Allowed hours
- 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
- Noise cap
- 80 dB(A) at 25 feet
- Night limit
- Table A levels apply 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
- First-offense fine
- up to $50
- Repeat-offense fine
- up to $500, per hour
Summary
Cranston limits domestic power equipment like leaf blowers to 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. and caps them at 80 dB(A) measured 25 feet from the source under the city's noise ordinance.
Any domestic power equipment operated upon any residential, commercial, industrial or public premises between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.; provided, that such equipment does not exceed a sound pressure level of eighty (80) dB(A) when measured twenty-five (25) feet from the noise source, and further provided that between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. such equipment does not exceed the maximum sound pressure levels as specified in Table A of subsection (F)(l) of this section;
i. Any commercial power equipment operated upon any residential, commercial, industrial or public premises between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.; provided, that such equipment does not exceed a sound pressure level of eighty-eight (88) dB(A) when measured twenty-five (25) feet from the noise source and further provided that between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. such equipment does not exceed the maximum sound pressure levels as specified in Table A of subsection (F)(1) of this section.
3. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate, or for the owner to permit operation of any construction equipment, tree maintenance equipment, domestic power equipment, commercial power equipment, or power equipment and auxiliary equipment on or within motor vehicles in excess of the maximum sound pressure levels established in subsections (F)(1) and (F)(2)(g) through (F)(2)(i) except when performing emergency work.
G.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4824304; v14 updated 2026-05-18).
Full Breakdown
Under Cranston Code of Ordinances § 8.20.010(F)(2)(h), domestic power equipment, which includes leaf blowers used for grounds maintenance, may run on residential, commercial, industrial or public premises only between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., and must not exceed 80 dB(A) measured 25 feet from the source. Equipment run between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. also can't exceed the ambient Table A limits (as low as 50 dB(A) on residential property at night). The chief of police enforces the chapter and can inspect noise sources and issue warrants for access.
Violations & Fines
Operating outside 7 a.m.-8 p.m. or above 80 dB(A) at 25 feet violates § 8.20.010(F)(2)(h) and (F)(3); each hour of excess noise is a separate offense under § 8.20.010(J), fined $50 first offense, $100 second, up to $500 for each offense after that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a leaf blower before 7 a.m. in Cranston?
Is there a decibel limit on leaf blowers in Cranston?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cranston
How Cranston compares: Cities with the Strictest Leaf Blower Rules·Compare Cranston to another location·View the Rhode Island noise ordinances overview
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Leaf Blower Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle leaf blower rules.