West Valley City, UT Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)

Section 24-22-108(8) of the West Valley City Municipal Code, part of Chapter 24-22's Specific Noise Prohibitions, targets Domestic Power Equipment used for home or building repair, grounds maintenance, or residential power generation, expressly naming power saws, sanders, lawn mowers, garden equipment and snow removal equipment, which covers gas and electric leaf blowers. Any such tool rated five horsepower or less violates the ordinance if it emits a sound pressure level exceeding 74 dB(A) measured at a distance of 50 feet (15.25 meters) from the source.

This subsection carries its own timing rule that differs from the rest of Chapter 24-22. Most noise violations in Section 24-22-108 are keyed to the general prohibition in the chapter's lead-in: unlawful only between 10:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. if plainly audible at the property boundary, or at any time if plainly audible 50 feet away. Domestic power equipment is carved out of that audibility test: subsection 8(b) states the 50-foot plainly audible standard shall not apply to this subsection, leaving the flat 74 dB(A) ceiling as the only test, enforceable at any hour of the day or night.

The ordinance builds in one narrow exception for home generators: residential power generation equipment run during a power outage or for routine maintenance of the generator is exempt from violation so long as it stays at or under 80 dB(A), six decibels above the general 74 dB(A) cap for other yard tools.

Property owners who need relief, for example a landscaping contractor running equipment past the numeric limit for a legitimate job, can seek a temporary waiver under Section 24-22-112, which lets the Director of the Salt Lake Valley Health Department excuse noncompliance for undue hardship or a temporary event and attach conditions to the waiver.