TL;DR
Portland implemented a phased prohibition on gas-powered leaf blowers starting Jan. 1, with a partial ban the first two years and a full year-round ban set for 2028. Electric and battery-powered blowers remain permitted but must follow the city noise code; enforcement targets property owners through a complaint-driven fine structure.
What happened
A municipal ordinance that restricts gas-powered leaf blowers took effect in Portland on Jan. 1. Under the phase-in, the machines are barred from January through September during the first two years; they may be used during the wet-leaf season from October through December. The rule transitions to a year-round ban on Jan. 1, 2028. Battery and electric blowers continue to be allowed provided they meet existing noise limits. The measure was developed with input from Multnomah County and reflects more than a decade of organizing by local activists who cited air pollution and noise as harms. Multnomah County has operated a rebate program to help small landscaping businesses switch to electric equipment, and activists secured a $1 million Portland Clean Energy Fund grant to fund training and incentives for firms with fewer than five employees. The city is relying on a complaint-based enforcement process that levies escalating fines against property owners for violations.
Why it matters
- Officials and advocates cite air pollution and noise from gas blowers as public-health and quality-of-life concerns.
- The phase-in period aims to allow electric and battery technology to mature and give businesses time to adapt.
- Financial assistance targets small landscaping firms to reduce economic burdens of equipment replacement.
- The ordinance sets a local precedent in Oregon and aligns Portland with other U.S. jurisdictions taking similar steps.
Key facts
- The ban took effect on Jan. 1.
- For the first two years, gas blowers are prohibited January–September and permitted October–December.
- A full, year-round prohibition begins Jan. 1, 2028.
- Electric and battery-powered leaf blowers remain legal year-round but must meet the city’s noise code.
- The ordinance was co-written with city officials and Multnomah County.
- Multnomah County has offered rebates to help small landscaping businesses switch to electric equipment.
- A $1 million grant from the Portland Clean Energy Fund will fund training and incentives for landscaping companies with fewer than five employees.
- Enforcement targets property owners via a complaint-based system: first offense is a warning, then $250 for the second, $500 for the third and $1,000 for subsequent violations; each day of noncompliance is a separate violation.
- The law does not ban the sale of gas leaf blowers; retailers may continue to sell them and there are recycling options for the old machines.
What to watch next
- How frequently residents file complaints and how consistently the city enforces escalating fines against property owners.
- Adoption rates among small landscaping companies using county rebates and the $1 million Portland Clean Energy Fund grant to transition equipment.
- Whether state policy or retail practices change regarding the sale of gas-powered leaf blowers (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Gas-powered leaf blower: A yard maintenance tool driven by a gasoline engine that produces exhaust emissions and operational noise.
- Electric/battery-powered leaf blower: A leaf blower powered by electricity from a cord or rechargeable battery, generally quieter and with no direct tailpipe emissions.
- Phase-in: A staged implementation approach that gradually applies regulatory requirements over a set period to allow for adjustment.
- Complaint-based enforcement: A system where regulatory action is initiated in response to reports from residents or the public rather than through routine inspections.
- Portland Clean Energy Fund: A local funding initiative that supports clean-energy and environmental projects; in this case, it provided grant money to aid equipment transitions.
Reader FAQ
When did the ban take effect and when does the full ban begin?
The ordinance took effect Jan. 1; a partial ban applies the first two years and a full year-round ban starts Jan. 1, 2028.
Are electric leaf blowers allowed?
Yes. Electric and battery-powered blowers are permitted year-round but must comply with Portland’s noise code.
Who pays for replacing gas blowers?
Multnomah County has offered rebates to help small landscaping businesses; homeowners do not qualify and must replace equipment themselves.
Will stores be prohibited from selling gas leaf blowers?
No. The city ordinance does not regulate the sale of gas leaf blowers, so retailers may continue to sell them.
Rich White, owner of Good Green Neighbors, operates an electric-powered leaf blower on a sidewalk in Southeast Portland. A ban on gas-powered leaf blowers is in effect in Portland as…
Sources
- Portland's gas-powered leaf blower ban goes into effect
- Portland's gas-powered leaf blower ban to begin in January
- About the Equitable Gas Leaf Blower Phase-out
- Equitable Gas Leaf Blower Phase-out
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