Santa Clara restricts leaf blower operation to 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM weekdays and 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekends, with gas-powered models phased out under California AB 1346 (SORE regulation) effective 2024.
Santa Clara follows California Assembly Bill 1346 (signed 2021, effective 2024), which bans the sale of new gas-powered small off-road engines (SORE) including leaf blowers and lawn mowers under 25 horsepower. Existing equipment remains legal to use, but retail sales of new gas units are prohibited statewide. Locally, Santa Clara City Code Chapter 9.10 limits leaf blower operation to 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday and 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday. Leaf blowers operated commercially must be labeled at 65 dBA or less measured at 50 feet per California standard. Landscaping contractors working in residential neighborhoods must use equipment meeting these specifications. Electric and battery-powered blowers are encouraged and may be subject to less restrictive time limits. Violations carry administrative fines of 100 to 500 dollars. Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) also enforces broader air quality rules.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Santa Clara County.
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