← Back to tracker Ban status
Total ban on use of all mechanical leaf blowers — gas, battery, AND electric — within city limits since 1998. Manhattan Beach Municipal Code §5.48.330, added by Ordinance 1986 (City Council adopted September 1998), prohibits all mechanical blowers regardless of fuel source. Equipment-class total ban: mechanical vacuums are the permitted alternative; many leaf blowers can be fitted with vacuum attachments. The City's participation in the South Coast AQMD Electric Lawn and Garden Equipment Exchange specifically redirects residents to vacuum-compatible equipment because NO leaf blower (electric or otherwise) is permitted. Code Enforcement: (310) 802-5518 or code@manhattanbeach.gov.
Enacted: 1998-09-15 In effect since: 1998-10-15
Sources: City of Manhattan Beach compliance page at https://www.manhattanbeach.gov/leafblowers; Environmental Sustainability "Lawn and Garden Equipment Exchange" page at https://www.manhattanbeach.gov/departments/environmental-sustainability/how-can-you-go-green/lawn-and-garden-equipment-exchange documenting Ordinance 1986 (Sept 1998) and the codified §5.48.330 text. Citymb Facebook 2025-10-14 reminder reaffirms continued enforcement. Manhattan Beach joins Hermosa Beach, Laguna Beach (1993), and Del Mar in the small set of California cities that ban all leaf blowers as an equipment class. The Sustainable San Mateo County 2025-03 Leaf-blower Regulations brief also lists Manhattan Beach in this group. Verified 2026-05-05.
Last updated: Jun 3, 2026
Research & citations
- Leaf Blowers Remain Prohibited in Manhattan Beach (MBMC 5.48.330)
— City of Manhattan Beach, 2024-01-01
All mechanical leaf blowers (gas, battery, electric) banned under MBMC 5.48.330 (Ord. 1986, 1998).
- Manhattan Beach Staff Report — leaf blower ordinance history (Ord. 1986)
— City of Manhattan Beach, 2011-09-06
Notes the City Council adopted Ord. No. 1986 in 1998 prohibiting all mechanical leaf blowers (MBMC 5.48.330).
- California Cities Leaf Blower Bans (Roll-Up) — NPC QuietNet
- City of Manhattan Beach — Lawn and Garden Equipment Exchange
— City of Manhattan Beach
Environmental Sustainability page documenting Ordinance 1986 (September 1998) which amended MBMC Section 5.48 to prohibit all mechanical leaf blowers. Includes redirect to AQMD Electric Lawn and Garden Equipment Exchange Program with vacuum-compatible alternatives.
- City of Manhattan Beach — Leaf Blowers remain prohibited
— City of Manhattan Beach
Official compliance page documenting the MBMC §5.48.330 prohibition on all mechanical leaf blowers (gas, battery, electric). Cites continued enforcement, Code Enforcement contact, and rationale (airborne particles, public health).
- City of Manhattan Beach — Municipal Code (leaf blower / noise)
— City of Manhattan Beach
Codified leaf blower / noise ordinance for City of Manhattan Beach, California. Source: Municode.
- Manhattan Beach, CA — Official Municipal Website
In force AB 1346 — Statewide SORE sales ban Enacted 2021-10-09 · Effective 2024-01-01
See in the tracker
This region also appears in the broader multi-jurisdiction tracker
alongside its peers.