Huntington Beach, CA Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Weekday hours
- 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Mon-Sat
- Sunday/holiday hours
- 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Decibel cap
- 70 dBA at 10 feet
- Duration limit
- 15 min/hour, parcels under half acre
- Distance from openings
- 10 feet minimum
Summary
Huntington Beach limits leaf blower use near homes: 15 minutes per hour on parcels under half an acre, an 8 a.m.-7 p.m. weekday window, a 70 dBA cap measured 10 feet away, and a ban on blowing debris off the property or letting it sit for more than 30 minutes.
It is unlawful for any person to use or operate any leaf blower in such a manner as to blow, dispel or make airborne, dust, leaves, grass cuttings, paper, trash or any other type of unattached debris or material, beyond the parcel boundaries of the parcel being cleaned, unless the consent of the adjoining owner or person in possession is obtained... It is unlawful for any person to operate a leaf blower within a residential zone or within 100 feet of a residential zone... except: Time Restriction... between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday or between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Sunday... Leaf blowers shall not be operated for more than 15 minutes per hour, per day, on parcels less than one-half acre... The maximum decibel level of 70 dBA as measured 10 feet from the leaf blower shall not be exceeded.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4954605; v17 updated 2026-06-16).
Full Breakdown
095(A) makes it unlawful to operate a leaf blower in a way that blows dust, leaves, grass cuttings, paper, trash or other debris beyond the boundary of the parcel being cleaned without the adjoining owner's consent, or to let blown debris sit on a public right-of-way or private property for more than 30 minutes. m. on Sunday and federal holidays; blowers cannot run within 10 feet of an operable window, door, or mechanical air intake; use is capped at 15 minutes per hour per day on parcels under half an acre, 30 minutes per hour on parcels between a half-acre and one acre, and no more than two hours total on parcels of one acre or larger; and only one blower may run at a time on the smallest lots, rising to two on mid-size parcels and three on lots of an acre or more. Subsection (B)(5) sets a hard decibel ceiling of 70 dBA measured 10 feet from the unit. 090(G).
Violations & Fines
Blowing debris past the parcel line without the neighbor's consent, letting it sit more than 30 minutes, running a blower outside the 8 a.m.-7 p.m./9 a.m.-6 p.m. windows near a residential zone, working closer than 10 feet to a window or air intake, exceeding the per-parcel time or unit-count limits, or exceeding 70 dBA at 10 feet is each a separate unlawful act under Chapter 8.40, enforceable by the Director of Community Development or Police Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hours can I use a leaf blower in Huntington Beach?
Is there a decibel limit for leaf blowers?
How long can a leaf blower run on a small residential lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Huntington Beach
How Huntington Beach compares: Cities with the Strictest Leaf Blower Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Huntington Beach to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Leaf Blower Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Orange County handle leaf blower rules.