Merced County, CA Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)

Merced County does not have a dedicated leaf-blower ordinance or a gas-blower ban for its unincorporated areas. Instead, leaf blowers fall under the general yard-equipment provision of Chapter 10.60. Section 10.60.030 allows noise from domestic power tools, lawn mowers, and agricultural equipment when operated between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on weekends and legal holidays, provided the equipment generates less than 85 dBA at or within any residential property line. Outside those hours, or above that level, the noise can be treated as a violation. This is more permissive than the construction-equipment rule in Section 10.60.040, which uses a 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. weekday window and a full weekend ban. Agricultural equipment used in farming operations is further covered by the agricultural exemption in Section 10.60.050, reflecting the county's rural character. Residents bothered by early-morning or late-evening blowers can document the time and report it; enforcement follows the general penalty scheme in Chapter 1.28.