Unincorporated Monterey County has no stand-alone leaf-blower ordinance. Leaf blowers and other powered garden equipment are governed by the general device limit in County Code Sec. 10.60.030 (any time of day, measured 50 feet away) and by the Sec. 10.60.040 nighttime standards. There is no fixed daytime curfew on garden equipment in Chapter 10.60.
Monterey County Code Chapter 10.60 does not single out leaf blowers (gas or electric) the way some California cities do. A leaf blower, mower, chainsaw, or similar tool is treated as a 'machine, mechanism, device, or contrivance' under Sec. 10.60.030, which prohibits operating it above the code's daytime noise cap measured 50 feet away. During the nighttime period, such equipment is also subject to the Sec. 10.60.040 'loud and unreasonable sound' prohibition and the 45 Leq / 65 dBA Table 1 standards. Notably, Sec. 10.60.040(C) lists emergency equipment 'such as chain saws' among the exemptions when used in an emergency, and commercial agricultural operations are exempt from the nighttime rules. Because there is no separate daytime curfew in Chapter 10.60, ordinary daytime use of a leaf blower is generally allowed as long as it stays within the Sec. 10.60.030 device limit. Residents inside incorporated cities should check that city's own code, which may regulate leaf blowers more strictly.
A leaf blower or other powered tool that exceeds the Sec. 10.60.030 daytime device limit, or that violates the Sec. 10.60.040 nighttime standards, can be cited by HCD code enforcement and the Sheriff. The County's misdemeanor classification and escalating fine schedule apply (up to $250 first offense, up to $1,000 for repeat offenses within 12 months).
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