Flower Hill

Ban status

Hybrid rule: seasonal fuel-source ban PLUS year-round equipment-specific muffler/decibel cap. Village of Flower Hill Code Chapter 144 (Landscaping Equipment and Use) §144-4 (added by Local Law 5-2020 on 2020-06-01, amended by L.L. 9-2020 on 2020-08-03): "No landscaper shall operate any gas-powered leaf blower during the period from June 15 through and including September 15." Exception within §144-4: gasoline- or diesel-powered leaf blowers operated in the course of groundskeeping/gardening/landscaping at golf courses are permitted during hours, provided not within 100 feet of a residence. Temporary waiver available from Village Administrator for special events. SEPARATELY, Village Noise Chapter Subsection M: "The use of any leaf blower shall be prohibited at all times, unless the same is fitted with a muffler device sufficient to reduce the noise produced therefrom to a level not to exceed 70 (A-scale) decibels" — a year-round equipment-class noise/muffler rule applying to ALL leaf blowers regardless of fuel. Combined effect: gas blowers prohibited entirely during the summer window; outside summer they (and electric blowers year-round) must be muffler-equipped to ≤70 dBA. "Quiet Saturdays Commercial Landscaping Law": no power equipment on Saturdays beyond quiet work (seeding, feeding, weeding, mulching) 9am-5pm, no work on Sundays/holidays. Minimum fine $500.

Research & citations

• Village of Flower Hill — Local Law J of 2020 (full text PDF) — Village of Flower Hill, 2020-07
  Codified text of L.L. J-2020 amending Chapter 144 to add §144-4 (gas-blower seasonal ban) and amending §144-3(6)(b) hours rules. The bill text including the golf-course exception and homeowner waiver.
• Interactive Map of Lawn Mower and Leaf Blower Policies — PIRG Education Fund
  PIRG Education Fund interactive map of US lawn-mower and leaf-blower regulations at the state and municipal level.
• Village of Flower Hill — Code Chapter on Noise §M (leaf blower muffler/dB rule) — Village of Flower Hill
  Codified noise rule: "The use of any leaf blower shall be prohibited at all times, unless the same is fitted with a muffler device sufficient to reduce the noise produced therefrom to a level not to exceed 70 (A-scale) decibels." Year-round equipment-class layer separate from §144-4's seasonal fuel-source ban.
• Village of Flower Hill — Landscape Gardening Control Law / Landscaper License Application — Village of Flower Hill
  Plain-English summary handed to landscaper applicants: gas blower prohibition June 15 – September 15; Quiet Saturdays rule (no power equipment, only seeding/feeding/weeding/mulching 9am-5pm); no work on Sundays/holidays; minimum fine $500.
• Village of Flower Hill — Municipal Code (leaf blower / noise) — Village of Flower Hill
  Codified leaf blower / noise ordinance for Village of Flower Hill, New York. Source: eCode360.