Sonoma, CA Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Gas-powered leaf blowers
- banned citywide, any time
- Electric leaf blowers allowed
- Mon-Sat, 9am-4pm, non-holidays
- First violation
- written warning only
- Second+ violation
- escalating fines under Ch. 1.12
- Governing chapter
- SMC Chapter 9.60, effective 2016
Summary
The City of Sonoma bans gas-powered leaf blowers outright, citywide, at any time. Electric leaf blowers are allowed only Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding city-designated holidays, under SMC Chapter 9.60.
A. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Sonoma Municipal Code to the contrary, in, on or upon any and all properties and areas within the city's corporate boundaries: 1. It is unlawful for any property owner (including the city) or tenant or any employee, agent or contractor working for a property owner or tenant to operate or authorize the operation of a gas-powered leaf blower at any time for any purpose. ... ... a. It shall be lawful to operate and/or authorize the operation of electrically-powered leaf blowers during the following days and hours: Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except on city-designated holidays.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 13-2025, passed December 3, 2025).
Full Breakdown
60, the city of Sonoma leaf blower ordinance, is more restrictive than the general noise chapter and applies notwithstanding any other provision of the code. 030(A) makes it unlawful for any property owner, including the city itself, tenant, employee, agent, or contractor to operate a gas-powered leaf blower at any time for any purpose anywhere within the city's corporate boundaries; there is no time-of-day carve-out for gas blowers. 020(A) lists as New Year's Day, MLK Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. 030(C). 015, subject to abatement. The chapter dates to Ordinance 01-2016 and remains current through Ordinance 13-2025.
Violations & Fines
A first violation of the use restriction, SMC 9.60.030, draws only a written cease-and-desist warning with a copy of the chapter, per SMC 9.60.050(B). A second violation at the same location or by the same person triggers a fine equal to the first-violation amount set by council resolution under SMC 1.12.010, and each further violation escalates to the next tier under that resolution; violations can otherwise be charged as an infraction or misdemeanor. Any city of Sonoma employee or agent with code-enforcement authority may enforce the chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are gas leaf blowers legal anywhere in the City of Sonoma?
When can I use an electric leaf blower in the City of Sonoma?
What happens the first time someone is caught using a gas leaf blower?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sonoma
How Sonoma compares: Cities with the Strictest Leaf Blower Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Sonoma to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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Leaf Blower Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sonoma County handle leaf blower rules.