Howard County has no dedicated leaf-blower ordinance. Section 8.900 expressly exempts lawn-care and snow-removal equipment used during daytime hours (7 a.m.–10 p.m.) when maintained to manufacturer specs. Running that equipment at night can still violate the residential noise limits.
Howard County sets no gas-blower ban, decibel cap, or day-of-week limit specific to leaf blowers. Instead, Section 8.900's exemption list excludes 'lawn care and snow removal equipment during daytime hours, when used and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications,' along with agricultural field machinery. So leaf blowers, mowers and trimmers are permitted during the day (7:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.). The exemption falls away at night: after 10:00 p.m. the equipment is no longer exempt and its noise received on residential property must meet the 55 dBA COMAR nighttime limit. Practically, daytime yard work is unrestricted countywide, while late-night blowing or mowing can be cited.
There is no penalty for normal daytime leaf-blower use. Operating lawn equipment during nighttime hours so it exceeds 55 dBA at a home is a Section 8.900 violation: Class E civil offense (first), Class D (subsequent).
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See how Howard County's leaf blower rules rules stack up against other locations.
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