Lexington, KY Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Weekday cutoff
- 11pm–7am for lawn/garden tools
- Weekend cutoff
- before 9am Sat/Sun barred
- Exempt
- powered snow removal equipment
- Legal standard
- disturbance across dwelling unit boundary
- Applies to
- landscaping crews too
- First offense fine
- $50–$500 (§14-80)
Summary
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Code § 14-72 bars running a lawnmower, saw, drill, sander, grinder or other lawn or garden tool outdoors between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, or before 9:00 a.m. on Saturday or Sunday, whenever the noise creates a disturbance across a dwelling unit boundary. Powered snow removal equipment is excluded.
Operating or permitting the operation of any mechanically powered saw, drill, sander, grinder, lawn or garden tool, lawnmower or other similar device used outdoors that creates a noise disturbance across a dwelling unit boundary other than powered snow removal equipment, between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., prevailing local time, or on Saturday or Sunday before the hour of 9:00 a.m., prevailing local time.
Full Breakdown
, giving weekend mornings extra quiet time before yard work can start. The clause carves out one specific exception, powered snow removal equipment, which can run at any hour regardless of the disturbance it creates, reflecting the practical need to clear ice and snow promptly. As with every other clause in § 14-72, the violation only exists if the noise 'creates a noise disturbance across a dwelling unit boundary' as defined in § 14-70; a leaf blower confined to the operator's own yard with no adjoining dwelling unit affected doesn't trigger a citation.
Landscaping crews working a rental property or common area are bound by the same hours as a homeowner. A resident who can show compliance would cause an unwarranted hardship may seek a mayor-approved variance under § 14-74.
Violations & Fines
A first leaf-blower or lawn-tool violation under § 14-72(3) carries a $50–$500 fine per § 14-80, rising to $100–$500 for a second offense and $250–$500 for a third within a twelve-month span. Officers can issue an immediate abatement order under § 14-75 requiring the tool to be shut off rather than waiting to write a citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time can I use a leaf blower in Lexington on a Saturday?
Are snow blowers exempt from the nighttime limit?
Does the leaf-blower hours rule apply to landscaping crews?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lexington
How Lexington compares: Cities with the Strictest Leaf Blower Rules·Compare Lexington to another location·View the Kentucky noise ordinances overview
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