Landscape Equipment

Background

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, but is not limited to: leaf blowers, string trimmers, hedge trimmers, edgers, pole saws, chainsaws, and mowers. 
Chainsaws with blades or blade attachments 18 inches or longer and brush cutters are exempted. 

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

Trade-in and Rebate Program

If you haven't made the switch to electric landscape equipment yet, do not worry, we're here to help! 

We ask that you trade in your gas-powered landscape equipment (drained of fluids), and in return, you can receive a rebate discount at the point of sale for the purchase of new, electric equipment.  

The rebate application can be accessed here: in English and Spanish, click for a fillable PDF (or to print). 

You will need to bring your gas-powered landscape equipment and completed rebate application to:
Town Corporation Yard
550 San Francisco Blvd
San Anselmo, CA 94960 
during the times specified in the application.

If approved by staff, you will receive your rebate when purchasing new, electric landscape equipment from Jackson's Hardware in San Rafael. Please see the application packet for further details.

The rebate program has officially launched and will continue until the funding is depleted.

Enforcement

Starting on June 1, 2023 and through December 1, 2023, any resident using gas-powered leaf blowers and other 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.  

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

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

  • Best - Email: (bjohnson@townofsananselmo.org): provide the time and the address of reported gas-powered landscape equipment usage, OR
  • Use our Report a Concern feature and provide the time and the address of reported gas-powered landscape equipment usage. Please provide your email so we can respond, OR
  • 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. 

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.

Temporary Exemptions 

Temporary exemptions may be provided to residents and landscapers that demonstrate there is a lack of commercially available or cost-comparable electric landscape equipment to replace their gas-powered equipment. To claim a temporary exemption, the resident or landscaper must submit documentation that may include but is not limited to:

  • A list of equipment suppliers contacted
  • A price comparison between comparable electric and gas-powered equipment
  • Statement of financial hardship

Documentation can be emailed to Sean Youra at syoura@townofsananselmo.org for review. Please indicate in the subject line "Temporary Exemption Request for Landscape Equipment". Any exemption granted remains in effect until electric landscape equipment can be obtained, but cannot exceed more than two years.

Additional Funding 

The California Air Resources Board has 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.