Santa Monica

Full Year-Round Ban Year-round gas ban

Ban status

Originally banned ALL leaf blowers (gas and electric) in 1991. Ordinance modified July 2023 to allow zero-emission electric blowers ≤70 dB. Gas blowers remain prohibited.

Enacted: 1991-03-26 In effect since: 2023-08-22

Only major CA city to ban all blowers (gas plus electric) for three decades before 2023 amendment.

Last updated: Jun 3, 2026

Research & citations

Santa Monica Municipal Code Ch. 4.12 NOISE (motorized leaf blower prohibition) — City of Santa Monica, 1991-09-10
Codified noise chapter; prior history lists the gas-blower ban Ord. 1601CCS adopted 9/10/1991.
Santa Monica Municipal Code — leaf-blower ordinance source — Santa Monica Municipal Code, 1991-03-26
Codified §4.08.270 leaf-blower restrictions (Ordinance No. 1578CCS, adopted 3/26/1991).
City of Santa Monica — Municipal Code (leaf blower / noise) — City of Santa Monica
Codified leaf blower / noise ordinance for City of Santa Monica, California. Source: eCode360.
Leaf Blower Policy — City of Santa Monica
Santa Monica, CA — Official Municipal Website

California context

In force AB 1346 — Statewide SORE sales ban

Enacted 2021-10-09 · Effective 2024-01-01

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