Minnetonka, MN Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)

Section 850 of the Minnetonka city code, adopted by the Minnetonka City Council, contains no leaf blower provision. It does not name leaf blowers, it prints no decibel cap for them, and it has no ban or special limit on gas-powered blowers. What it does print is the hours rule for outdoor power equipment in item 2 of § 850.015: a person must not operate outdoor power implements including, but not limited to, power lawn mowers, power hedge clippers, power saws, or other such implements at any time other than between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Because the list is introduced by the words including, but not limited to, and closes with other such implements, it is not confined to the three named tools.

The code carves out snow removal: operation of equipment for snow removal is exempt from the provisions of that section when initiated within 12 hours of completion of a recent snowfall. Section 850.020 also exempts emergency work such as utility maintenance and snow removal necessary to restore public service or to eliminate a hazard, and maintenance activities conducted or contracted for by the city of Minnetonka.

Section 850.005 supplies the general test for any noise: a person must not make, or assist in making, permit or allow the making of a noise that is prohibited by Section 850. The factors for deciding whether a noise is loud, disturbing, unnecessary, or unreasonable include the time of day or night, the duration and whether the noise is recurrent, intermittent, or constant, and the proximity of the noise to a sleeping facility or residential area. The community development director can grant an administrative permit under § 850.025 for a compelling need, with written notice to affected properties at least 14 calendar days ahead and appeal to the city council within 10 calendar days.