New York, NY Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)

New York County is almost entirely paved urban environment, so leaf blowers are used primarily in Central Park, Riverside Park, private courtyards, brownstone gardens, and around street trees by DOT and DSNY crews. The NYC Noise Control Code section 24-227 caps leaf blower sound at 65 dBA when measured at 50 feet from the device and requires all blowers sold, used, or operated within the city to display a manufacturer decibel rating label. The city has strongly encouraged transition to battery and corded electric blowers, and the NYC Parks Department has restricted gas powered blower use in many park zones. Operation outside standard hours, generally 7 AM to 10 PM, can also trigger the general noise ordinance. Landlords and building supers commonly use small electric blowers for sidewalks, which is allowed but must stay under the 65 dBA limit. Violations are investigated by DEP and carry civil penalties starting at 220 dollars per offense. Unlike many suburban jurisdictions, Manhattan has not enacted an outright seasonal gas blower ban, but pending City Council legislation has repeatedly proposed a phase out.