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Decibel-cap noise ordinance (not fuel-source), the Texas model for GLB regulation under state preemption. All leaf blowers must be manufacturer-certified to ≤70 dB(A) at 50 feet using the ANSI B175.2 standard. Expanded residential quiet hours: prohibited before 7am / after 7pm weekdays; before 8am / after 5pm Saturday; before noon / after 5pm Sunday and holidays. Applies equally to gas and electric equipment.
Enacted: 2021-05-03 Effective: 2021-05-03
Ordinance amendments adopted July 27, 2020 by City Council; enforcement began May 3, 2021. Single clearest GLB-adjacent municipal ordinance in Texas. Compliant with SB 1017 (2023) preemption because it regulates sound level, not fuel source. A blanket decibel cap at a much lower threshold (e.g. 40 dB(A)) that effectively eliminated gas blowers would likely be challenged under SB 1017 Sec. 247.003(a)'s "indirectly" language — West U's 70 dB(A) cap is likely the outer boundary of what a Texas city can enforce without triggering preemption challenge.
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Timeline
- 2021-05-03 Effective date reached — Enforcement began
- 2020-07-27 Adopted — City Council adopted noise ordinance amendments including 70 dB(A)-at-50-ft leaf blower cap
Preemption SB 1017 + HB 2127 — fuel-source and "Death Star" preemption Enacted 2023-05-27 · Effective 2023-09-01
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