Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Information

The noise ordinance will prohibit the use of gas-powered leaf blowers and gas-powered leaf vacuums in Arlington County. The rule will apply to handheld, backpack, and walk-behind equipment powered by gasoline or other fuel-burning engines. Electric and battery-powered equipment will still be allowed.

After a robust public engagement process, the County Board approved a 30-month transition period, with the ordinance taking effect January 1, 2029. This gives residents and landscaping businesses time to replace equipment and adjust their operations.

• Noise: Gas-powered leaf blowers can operate as loud as 115 decibels, which is comparable to a car horn or listening to your headphones at maximum volume. Reduced noise levels in the County lessen health impacts that contribute to hearing loss and disruption to wildlife.
  
  
• Health: Gas-powered leaf blowers use a two-stroke engine, where oil and gas are mixed, emitting a significant number of harmful pollutants into the air. Exposure to these pollutants can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, and respiratory disease.
  
  
• Emissions: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that gasoline-powered landscape maintenance equipment, including leaf blowers, accounts for a major portion of nonroad gasoline emissions.
  
  
• Environmental contamination: Spills are common when refueling gas-powered leaf blowers. Fuel spills seep into the soil and can enter groundwater and waterways.

The ordinance is expected to:

• Create quieter neighborhoods by reducing loud, low-frequency noise
• Improve quality of life for residents
• Reduce emissions from gas-powered landscaping equipment
• Support Arlington's climate and sustainability goals

The ordinance will affect:

• Homeowners who use gas-powered leaf blowers or leaf vacuums
• Landscaping and lawn care companies working in Arlington
• Property owners who hire contractors to perform landscaping work

Throughout the public engagement process, many residents supported moving quickly, while landscaping businesses expressed concerns about equipment costs and the current performance of some electric alternatives. Landscaping businesses shared concerns with the County of needing time to replace equipment because electric alternatives require an upfront investment. The proposed transition period is intended to balance these concerns, giving residents and businesses time to adjust to the change.

Yes, the County plans to launch a public education campaign on sustainable leaf management practices and the benefits of using electric landscaping equipment.

Residents and businesses have several options, including:

• Electric leaf blowers, which are significantly quieter and don’t produce emissions
• Electric leaf vacuums for collecting leaves
• Rakes and brooms for smaller jobs
• Leaving leaves in place where appropriate to support pollinators and improve soil health

The County will continue to provide education on sustainable leaf management practices.

When a complaint is received, staff will investigate and verify whether a violation has occurred, typically responding within 24–72 hours. If a violation is confirmed, the responsible party will receive a notice and information about the ordinance and how to comply. If repeated violations continue after notice and outreach, the County may escalate enforcement, including issuing civil penalties or, as a last resort, a court summons.

The gas-powered leaf blower ordinance will not go into effect until January 1, 2029. The County will provide more information on reporting violations as we approach the effective date.

Any person who commits, permits, assists in or attempts any violation of the noise ordinance, whether by act or omission, shall be liable for a civil violation and may, upon the issuance of a citation by the County Manager, be punished by a civil fine of not more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) for the first violation, and not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) for a second or other subsequent violation.

Arlington County offers hazardous material recycling locations, including for lithium-ion batteries and gas-powered equipment. For more information on where to properly dispose of items in the County, visit Where Does It Go? – Official Website of Arlington County Virginia Government. Check with your local hardware store for more disposal options.

The County conducted a five-week public engagement process that includes:

• An online feedback form.
• Pop-up events
• A virtual open house
• An electric equipment demonstration and webinar
• Direct outreach to landscaping businesses
• Meetings with County advisory commissions

Nearly 4,000 people participated and provided input that helped shape the proposal.

Engagement Summary 

From September 24 through October 29, 2025, the County engaged the community on the proposed prohibition of gas-powered leaf blowers. During this five-week period, the County implemented a multi-faceted outreach strategy that included an online feedback form, virtual open house, informational webinar, electric leaf blower demonstration, public pop-ups, direct outreach to registered lawncare businesses, and engagement with three County Board commissions.

A total of 3,934 participants contributed input, including 3,726 online responses and 208 in-person participants at six pop-up events designed to reach residents less likely to engage online. Participants shared perspectives on noise, environmental and health impacts, economic considerations, equipment performance, and potential phase-out timelines, providing a comprehensive foundation to inform next steps.

View the engagement summary.

Electric Leaf Blower Webinar

Watch a recording of our informative and interactive Electric Leaf Blower Webinar. Hear directly from landscaping businesses that are already using electric leaf blowers in their operations.

Engagement Plan and Timeline

• Members of the Arlington community have expressed concerns about the excessive noise created by gas-powered leaf blowers, as well as the safety risk to operators and disruption to neighborhoods and wildlife. Community members have also shared concerns about the impact that exhaust from gas-powered leaf blowers has on people and the environment.

• Communities nationwide and in the region, including the City of Alexandria, the District of Columbia, and Montgomery County, have amended their noise ordinances to prohibit the use of gas-powered leaf blowers.

• Prohibiting gas-powered leaf blowers aligns with the County Climate Action Resolution and environmental goals outlined in the County’s Forestry and Natural Resources Plan and Community Energy Plan. These goals promote the reduction of negative impacts to the community, natural areas, and wildlife.

• In 2019, the County Board adopted the Community Energy Plan (CEP), which prioritizes strategies that support the County goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

• In 2023, the County Board adopted the Forestry and Natural Resources Plan (FNRP), which calls for increasing the use of electric equipment and replacing County-owned small gas-powered equipment by 2025.
  
  
• In 2025, the County successfully transitioned its inventory of gas-powered handheld landscape equipment (e.g., leaf-blowers, string trimmers, weed eaters, chainsaws) used for non-emergency operations to electric-powered equipment.