Monterey, CA Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)

Section 22-18.1 defines a 'leaf blower' broadly as any portable power equipment designed or operated to produce a current of air, whether powered by fuel, electricity, or other means, to push, propel or blow dust, dirt, sand, leaves, grass clippings, trimmings, shrubs, or other debris. 'Residential lot' means any lot zoned R-1 single-family, R-2 residential low-density multifamily, R-3 residential medium-density multifamily, or R-E residential estate, so the fuel-powered ban tracks the city's residential zoning districts rather than parcel size or use. Since January 1, 2021, no person may use, allow, or authorize a fuel-powered leaf blower anywhere on a residential lot, which reaches homeowners, tenants, and any landscaping or gardening service and its employees, since the ordinance's definition of 'person' expressly includes an owner or operator of a gardening or landscape maintenance service and their employees or agents, cross-referenced to the general definitions in Monterey City Code § 1-1.01.

A separate, citywide time restriction applies to every leaf blower regardless of power source: no leaf blower use of any kind is allowed before 8:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m., which covers electric and battery-powered units on residential lots as well as any leaf blower used in commercial or other non-residential zones. The two rules stack on a residential lot: fuel-powered units are banned outright at any hour, while electric or battery units are permitted only between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.