The District of Columbia enforces one of the nation's strictest leaf blower laws. Under the Leaf Blower Regulation Amendment Act of 2018 (DC Law 22-169), the sale and use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers has been banned District-wide since January 1, 2022. Only electric and battery-powered blowers are permitted, and all leaf blowers must stay below 70 dBA measured at 50 feet.
DC Code section 8-1491 et seq. (the Leaf Blower Regulation Amendment Act of 2018) made Washington DC the first major US city to impose a full ban on gasoline-powered leaf blowers. The ban took effect January 1, 2022 and applies to both residential and commercial operators, including landscaping contractors servicing single-family homes, apartment buildings, commercial properties, and federal enclaves where the District retains police power. DCMR Title 20 Chapter 27 sets the underlying noise limit: no leaf blower (electric or gas) may exceed 70 dBA measured at 50 feet. Permitted hours follow the general noise ordinance, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM on weekdays and 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM on weekends and holidays in residential areas. Enforcement is handled jointly by the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), the Department of Buildings (DOB), and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Residents report violations through the 311 system. The ban was championed by the Quiet Clean DC coalition and survived preemption challenges from landscaping industry groups. Retailers within DC may not sell gas blowers; online sales delivered into the District also violate the Act.
First violation: $100 civil infraction per DCMR 16-3201. Second and subsequent offenses: up to $500. Commercial landscapers face escalating fines up to $500 per incident and possible Basic Business License review. Retailers selling prohibited gas blowers face separate $500 penalties.
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