Royal Oak Township, MI Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)

Section 8-23(b) of the Royal Oak Charter Township Code governs residential power equipment in the Township. Chapter 8, Article II defines the term as power equipment intended for frequent use in residential areas, including lawn mowers, snow and leaf blowers, riding tractors and similar garden tools. Two tests apply at the same time. First, the equipment must be used at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner so as not to offend the peace and quiet of persons of ordinary sensibilities. Second, in all events, use within or adjacent to a residential area is limited to the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. The text draws no line by power source and prints no decibel number, so a gas blower and an electric blower face the same clock and the same reasonableness standard.

Heavier work tools sit on a different schedule. Section 8-23(a) bars equipment of 20 hp or less, including power generators, power hand tools, chainsaws and jackhammers or other pavement breakers, in or adjacent to residential areas for erecting, excavating, demolishing, altering or repairing any building, for street and walkway work, or for building, repairing or restoring any motor vehicle, between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. A contractor's tools therefore go quiet earlier in the evening than a homeowner's mower or blower.

Section 8-23(d) provides a hardship route. A person who demonstrates in advance to the Township Board that compliance would result in unreasonable hardship, and that there are no reasonable means of limiting the creation of the sound or noise, is entitled to a grant from the Township Board of the right to emit noise. Outside that permission, section 8-22 lists the factors used to decide whether the noise article was violated, including the time of day or night, the duration of the noise, its proximity to residential areas and whether it comes from commercial or noncommercial activity.