Leaf blowers in Bristol County municipalities operate under local noise bylaws. No countywide rule; Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton each set their own hours. MA has no statewide leaf blower ban.
Bristol County abolished county government in 1997 except for the sheriff and registry of deeds; leaf blower rules are set by each city or town. Fall River, New Bedford, Taunton, Attleboro, and surrounding towns enforce daytime-only operation through local noise ordinances, typically 8 AM to 6 PM weekdays with restricted weekend hours. Gas leaf blowers remain legal throughout Bristol County, unlike affluent Boston suburbs (Arlington, Lexington, Newton) that have adopted seasonal gas bans. Commercial landscapers must register with the local DPW or code enforcement office. Peak fall cleanup runs mid-October through early December. Electric blowers subject to the same hour limits but face fewer complaints. MassDEP 310 CMR 7.10 provides fallback enforcement when sound exceeds ambient levels by 10+ dB at the property line.
Noise-hour violations under local bylaw: $50 to $300 per occurrence. Repeat offenders face escalating fines and may be cited under MassDEP 310 CMR 7.10.
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See how New Bedford's leaf blower rules rules stack up against other locations.
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