The City of Santa Barbara bans gasoline-powered leaf blowers citywide (SBMC 9.16.060, voter Measure D97 of 1997). All other leaf blowers must meet a 65-decibel ANSI noise standard, and may not be used within 250 feet of a residential zone before 9:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m. Monday-Saturday, or at any time on Sundays or national holidays.
The City of Santa Barbara has some of California's strictest leaf-blower rules, set in its own code — not the county's. Under SBMC Section 9.16.060 (Use of Gasoline-Powered Leaf Blowers Prohibited), adopted by voters as Measure D97 on November 4, 1997, it is unlawful for any person within the City to use or operate any portable machine powered with a gasoline engine, or a gasoline-powered generator, to blow leaves, dirt and other debris off sidewalks, driveways, lawns or other surfaces. Section 9.16.050 (Leaf Blowers - Restriction on Use) governs the electric/permitted blowers that remain legal: it is unlawful to operate a leaf blower within 250 feet of any residential zone before 9:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, or at any time on Sundays or national holidays (City Parks crews get a narrow 7:00-9:00 a.m. allowance for beachfront-park parking lots). Leaf blowers must meet 'Noise Level Standards' of a maximum 65 decibels measured under ANSI B-175.2-1990; blowers that fail are prohibited citywide, and selling new blowers that don't meet the 65 dB standard is also unlawful. Operators must obtain a certification sticker (valid one year) from the City Parks and Recreation Director after passing the ANSI noise test, and using a blower without a current sticker is an infraction. Operators may not blow cuttings or debris onto neighboring property or into streets and gutters, and must dispose of debris in a sealed container.
Using a gasoline leaf blower violates SBMC 9.16.060; using a non-certified or over-65 dB blower, operating outside the permitted hours/distance, or blowing debris onto a neighbor's property violates Section 9.16.050. Operating without a valid certification sticker is an infraction. Violations are enforced under the noise ordinance with the City's $350 / $750 / $1,000 fine schedule. The City directs residents to report an active leaf-blower disturbance to Police Dispatch at (805) 882-8900.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
santa-barbara-ca
The Fence Guidelines set height and location but defer the exact material, color, width and style to design-review boards. Front-yard fences, walls and gates...
santa-barbara-ca
No fence, screen, wall or hedge over 3.5 feet may stand in a driveway visibility triangle: 10 ft along the driveway and 10 ft back from the front lot line wh...
santa-barbara-ca
Residential retaining walls not over 4 feet (footing to top) are permit-exempt unless they support a surcharge or impound flammable liquids. Where a fence si...
santa-barbara-ca
The City of Santa Barbara addresses animal hoarding through its care-and-keeping and nuisance provisions plus California's anti-cruelty law. Keeping animals ...
santa-barbara-ca
The City of Santa Barbara does not publish a dedicated wildlife-feeding ban in its general animal regulations, but feeding wild animals can create a public n...
santa-barbara-ca
The City of Santa Barbara requires a license for each unaltered cat over four months old, obtained from the City. There is no leash requirement for cats. Red...
See how Santa Barbara's leaf blower rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.