New Leaf Blower Rules Set in Burlingame

After months of debate, the has approved new regulations for the use of leaf blowers, restricting the days and hours of blower use.

The ordinance has been crafted over several months under the guidance of the Leaf Blower Ordinance Sub Committee, composed of Vice Mayor Ann Keighran, Councilmember Terry Nagel and representatives of the Citizens Environmental Council and the Bay Area Gardeners Association (BAGA), working to reach the best compromise.

“No matter what we do tonight, we’re not going to please everybody,” said Vice Mayor Keighran before voting on the measure. “In my view, we try to find a compromise for both parties.”

Under the new ordinance, leaf blower use restrictions are as follows:

• Once a week use in residential areas (either Tuesday, Thursday or Friday as assigned by City) by commercial gardeners
• Leaf blower use 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends by residents
• Twice a week use for multi-family buildings on leaf blowing days
• Twice a week use for schools and parks on leaf blowing days
• Exemption for properties greater than five acres (Mercy High School)
• Set penalty of $50 for violation
• Authority of City Manager to waive enforcement during emergencies necessitating clean up (ex. large storm, earthquake)
• Phased implementation at City Manager’s discretion
• Commercial use blowers must be City-certified as not surpassing 65 decibels at a cost of $25 for up to five machines, or $5 for those with a manufacturer decibel certificate.
• If a holiday falls on a designated leaf-blowing day, that area would be allowed leaf blowing the following leaf-blower-approved day.
• The City Tree Crew is allowed flexible hours, as tree removals are not regularly scheduled and in any particular neighborhood.

Concerns with the new ordinance ranged from overregulation to not strict enough, with only Monday and Wednesday as completely blower-free days.

“I think any movement towards phasing out the leaf blower over the next five or 10 years is a movement in the right direction,” said resident Mike McCord. “[But] I don’t feel apartments need a second day; you could sweep that sidewalk in 10 minutes later in the week.”

Others said that twice a week blowing at multi-residential buildings, schools and parks might increase leaf blower noise and pollution in some areas.

JoaAnneh Nagler of the Citizens Environmental Council said blowing twice a week in schools and parks goes against keeping the health of Burlingame’s kids in mind.

However, the restrictions were too far-reaching for some, including gardener Don Burns. He said he has four Burlingame accounts on Wednesday—a now leaf blower-free day—and his Thursdays and Fridays are full, which will result in his accounts needing shuffled around or a cut in his business.

“I have broken no laws, but you are considering punishing me for providing a service your residents are asking me to perform,” he said. “Because of this, [residents] loose a good gardener that’s worked for them for 15 or 20 years…and I loose possibly hundreds of dollars in this recession.”

At the start of the meeting, not all Councilmembers were set on approving the ordinance. Councilmembers expressed concern over the feasibility of enforcing the new rules and the potential for overwhelming leaf blower use in some neighborhoods on the one day allowed. Mayor Jerry Deal said he would not support the measure, but relented as discussion went on and tweaks to the ordinance were made.

In the end, the ordinance passed 5-0.

“I think it’s worth giving a try,” said Councilmember Cathy Baylock. “We need to phase it in slowly, I’m a little worried, but I’m willing to give it a try.”

The ordinance was initially introduced as an attempt to ban gasoline powered leaf blowers, reducing the amount of carbon monoxide released. However, as electric blowers stir up as much dust and allergens and are equally noisy, the conversation switched to restricting the time of any blower use.

City officials plan on mailing information on the new blowing schedule in water bills, and a phased in implementation will begin.

For more Burlingame news, "like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for our newsletter for daily, weekly or breaking news updates.