ANN ARBOR (WWJ) — As summer kicks into full gear this week, officials with the city of Ann Arbor are reminding residents about a new ordinance banning gas-powered leaf blowers.
The ordinance, passed last December, prohibits the use of gas-powered leaf blowers in the city from June 1 to Sept. 30. Violations will result in a fine of at least $100 for a first offense and at least $250 for subsequent offenses.
The ordinance does not apply to electric leaf blowers, which are still permitted. Ordinance violations can be reported to the Ann Arbor Police Department Community Standards at 734-794-6942.
Outside of the summer ban, officials say gas-powered leaf blowers will be permitted from Oct. 1 to May 30 every year until Jan. 1, 2028. Starting then, they will be banned year-round throughout the city.
City officials say the ordinance is part of the city’s sustainability goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. According to the city, using a gas leaf blower for one hour “can emit the same amount of greenhouse gas emissions as driving a car over 1,000 miles.”
In addition to greenhouse gas emissions, gas leaf blowers also release harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and fine particulates, according to the city.
Exposure to these pollutants increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and cognitive impairment.
The ordinance also takes into account the noise from gas leaf blowers, as they can operate as loud as 100 decibels, which city officials say is “almost as loud as a jet flyover at a sporting event.” This high volume can cause hearing damage as well as stress from noise pollution, officials said.
The city says a great alternative to using a gas leaf blower is to skip the leaf blower all together, noting “leaving whole or mulched leaves on a lawn provides a much-needed habitat for pollinator species, while a broom or rake can be used to remove leaves from sidewalks or driveways.”
If a leaf blower is instead being used to remove mowed grass from a sidewalk or driveway, the city says the area being mowed “can be reduced by planting native groundcover in place of turfgrass, or by extending the area of garden beds.”
Anyone interested in learning more about the ordinance, alternatives to gas leaf blowers, how to sustainably dispose of gas leaf blowers, or sustainable lawn care are encouraged to visit the OSI gas leaf blower phase-out and pollinator aware yard care websites.