Fountain Valley, CA Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)

Chapter 6.10 of the Fountain Valley Municipal Code defines a leaf blower as any machine, however powered, used to blow leaves, dirt and other debris off sidewalks, driveways, lawns and other surfaces. The chapter contains no gas-only ban. It regulates every blower the same way, so electric and battery units meet the same limits as gasoline units.

Section 6.10.030 applies within a residential zone or within one hundred feet of a residential zone of the city, and five conditions apply together. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, with no operation on Sunday. A blower cannot run within ten feet of any operable window, door, or mechanical air intake opening or duct. Run time is capped at fifteen minutes per hour on parcels under one-half acre and thirty minutes per hour on parcels greater than one-half acre. Only one leaf blower can operate per parcel. The maximum decibel level is seventy dBA measured ten feet from the blower.

Section 6.10.020 adds a debris rule that no zone exemption softens. It is unlawful to blow dust, leaves, grass cuttings, paper, trash or other debris beyond the boundaries of the parcel being cleaned unless the adjoining owner or person in possession consents, and unlawful to blow debris onto the public rights-of-way and let it stay there more than thirty minutes. The chapter counts contiguous parcels owned by the same individual or entity as one parcel, so a large combined lot does not multiply the number of blowers.

Leaf blowers are carved out of the landscape exemption in the noise code. Section 6.28.070(9) lets power mowers, edgers, chain saws and trimmers run from seven a.m. to eight p.m. on weekdays, but it states that leaf blowers shall not be included and are regulated under Chapter 6.10. A crew that mows at 7 a.m. must wait until 8 a.m. to start a blower.