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

Section 7-13 of the Novato Municipal Code, the city's Leaf Blower Restrictions, was enacted by Ordinance No. 1671 on June 22, 2021 and amended by Ordinance No. 1690 on September 13, 2022. Section 7-13.1 states two purposes: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by prohibiting the use of gas-powered leaf blowers within city limits, and to minimize the noise impacts of leaf blowers by establishing reasonable hours for their use.

Section 7-13.2 defines a leaf blower as a machine, powered by a gasoline engine or electric motor, used to blow, displace or vacuum leaves, dirt or debris, and a gas-powered leaf blower as one directly powered by an internal combustion engine using gasoline. The ban in section 7-13.3 covers operating a gas-powered leaf blower, or authorizing its operation, on any surface at any time, so gas machines have no permitted window at all. Section 7-13.4 then restricts every leaf blower, electric included, to the hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays and official federal holidays.

Operators also carry a cleanup duty. Section 7-13.5 makes it unlawful to allow leaves, dirt or other debris to be blown onto adjacent private property, public property, the storm drain system or the public right-of-way, and anything blown onto public property or the right-of-way must be picked up, removed and disposed of properly.

Section 7-13.7 exempts public agencies and any employees, contractors or agents acting on behalf of those agencies. The exemption names no one else, so a homeowner or a private landscaping crew working for a private client has no exemption from the ban or the hours.