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Virginia's first and only in-force GLB ordinance. Ordinance No. 5588 amends Alexandria City Code Title 11, Chapter 5 (Noise Ordinance) to prohibit use of gas-powered leaf blowers and vacuums citywide. Phased rollout: city operations effective July 1, 2026 (1-year transition); public/commercial effective November 17, 2026 (18-month transition). Electric blowers permitted, subject to existing time-of-day noise provisions.
Enacted: 2025-05-17 Effective: 2026-07-01
Adopted unanimously at second reading May 17, 2025 (first reading May 10, 2025). Enabled by the August 2024 Attorney General Jason Miyares opinion that Alexandria could regulate GLBs through its existing noise-ordinance power without waiting for General Assembly enabling legislation. $75,000 allocated in FY 2026 for city-department equipment transition. Enforcement by Department of Transportation & Environmental Services (DOTES) and Alexandria Police. Communications plan launched summer 2025; Clean Air Partners signed as leaf-blower exchange program partner. Lead advocacy: Quiet Alexandria (pediatrician Samantha Ahdoot) and Quiet Clean NOVA.
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Timeline
- 2025-05-17 Adopted — City Council adopted Ordinance 5588 unanimously at second reading
- 2025-01-28 Bill introduced — Council directed staff to draft ordinance after Miyares opinion + petition
- Upcoming 2026-11-17 Effective date reached — Public and commercial use prohibition takes effect
- Upcoming 2026-07-01 Effective date reached — Phase: City operations effective date (1-year transition)
Guidance Dillon Rule + Miyares 2024 AG opinion Enacted 2024-08
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