Calaveras County, CA Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)

There is no separate leaf-blower ordinance in the Calaveras County Code, and no county ban on gas-powered blowers. Instead, leaf-blower noise in the unincorporated county is treated like any other sound source under the Noise Control ordinance (Chapter 9.02). Under Section 9.02.030, operating a leaf blower becomes an unlawful 'noise disturbance' only when the resulting sound exceeds the background sound level by at least 10 dBA during the day (7 a.m.-10 p.m.) or by at least 5 dBA at night (10 p.m.-7 a.m.), measured at or within the receiving property line. Because the nighttime margin is tighter, early-morning or late-evening blower use is more likely to trigger a violation. Routine daytime yard maintenance generally complies. Note that California has adopted a statewide restriction on the sale of new gas-powered small off-road engines (including many leaf blowers) under Assembly Bill 1346 and CARB regulations, which phase out new gas blower sales statewide; that is a state product-sale rule, not a Calaveras County use ban. The county ordinance applies in unincorporated areas only, not in the City of Angels Camp.