Landscape Equipment

Background

As of January 1, 2022, the use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers is no longer allowed in San Anselmo. (adoption of Ordinance #1157)

As of June 1, 2023, the use of electric (either battery- operated or corded) landscape equipment will be required for residents, Town staff and Town contractors. 
(adoption of Ordinance # 1173)

Starting January 1, 2024, the use of electric landscape equipment will be required for commercial landscapers as well.

Covered equipment includes leaf blowers, string trimmers, hedge trimmers, edgers, pole saws, chainsaws, and mowers.

These ordinances will help reduce the Town’s greenhouse gas emissions and protect the health and safety of residents and equipment operators by reducing hazardous air pollutants emitted during the use of gas-powered landscape equipment.

Additionally, starting in 2024, California will be prohibiting the sale of new gas-powered landscape equipment per Assembly Bill 1346. This regulation will help the State achieve its goal of transitioning to 100% zero-emission off-road vehicles and equipment by 2035.

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Allowed Hours of Operation (for leaf blowers):

The hours of operation have been updated to be in-line with other Marin County cities and towns. The new hours of operation are:

  • Monday through Friday - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (7:00 am to 5:00 pm for multi-unit and non-residential properties)
  • Saturday - 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
  • Sundays and Holidays - no leaf blower use allowed

Rebate Program - offer extended

If you haven't made the switch to electric equipment yet, do not worry, we're here to help! We ask that you trade in your gas-powered leaf blower (drained of fluids, please), and in return, you can receive a rebate for the purchase of new, electric equipment of up to 50% off or a maximum of $150. 

The rebate application is now available here: in English and Spanish, click for a fillable PDF (or to print). 

You will need to bring your gas-powered leaf blower drained of fluids to:
Town Corporation Yard
550 San Francisco Blvd
San Anselmo, CA 94960 
during the times specified in the application.

You can submit your filled-out form and supporting documentation for approval. If approved, you will receive your rebate when purchasing a new, electric leaf blower from Jackson's Hardware in San Rafael. Please see the application packet for further details.

The REBATE PROGRAM began in January of 2022 and will continue until the funding is depleted.

COMING SOON: Rebate application for electric string trimmers, hedge trimmers, edgers, pole saws, chainsaws, and mowers.

Enforcement

Beginning on June 30, 2022, anyone using a gas-powered leaf blower will be issued a warning with the explanation of the new regulations. After that, if a warning was already given, a $100 citation will be issued. If additional violations are reported and confirmed, increasing citations of $200 -$500 may be issued.  

Starting on June 1, 2023 and through December 1, 2023, any resident using gas-powered landscape equipment will be issued a warning letter explaining the new regulations per Ordinance 1173.

After December 1, 2023, if a warning letter was already issued, a $100 citation will be issued. If additional violations are reported and confirmed, increasing citations of $200 - $500 may be issued.  

To report gas-powered leaf blower or landscape equipment usage  during the hours of 9:00 to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, you can:

  • Call Town Code Enforcement: 415-258-4654 and leave a voicemail with the time and address of reported gas-powered leaf blower or landscape equipment usage.
  • Use our Report a Concern feature and provide the time and the address of reported gas-powered leaf blower or landscape equipment usage.

To report usage of gas-powered landscape equipment OR electrical leaf blowers outside of allowable hours of 9:00 am to 5:00 pm between Monday and Friday or 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturday, or any time on Sunday, you can:

  • Call Central Marin Police non-emergency number 415-927-5150.

Additional Funding

The California Air Resources Board has recently released new funding to help professional landscaping businesses purchase battery-operated landscape equipment including edgers, trimmers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and mowers, as well as extra batteries and chargers. Up to $25,000 in vouchers are available per purchaser. Available voucher amounts and details on how to purchase eligible equipment can be found at the Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE) website.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the San Anselmo Climate Action Commission for their tireless help with the ordinance and the rebate program. If you would like to learn more or get involved in San Anselmo's efforts in mitigating climate change, please visit this page. 

We would also like to thank our community partner, Jackson's Hardware, for their participation in the rebate program.

Homeowner Resources

There are a number of informational resources available for homeowners to download and/or print out.