According to a Jan. 5 report from The Wilton Bulletin, the city of Westport. Conn., will beginning restricting the use of gas-powered leaf blowers on May 15.
The article lines out the following restrictions from the city:
- Beginning May 15, gas-powered leaf blowers cannot be used on state or federal holidays. From May 15 to Oct. 14, gas-powered leaf blowers can be used from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, but cannot be used on Sundays.
- Only one gas-powered leaf blower can be used on a property of a quarter acre or less.
- Starting May 15, 2024, the use of gas-powered leaf blowers will not be permitted in the summer.
The restrictions do not apply to leaf blowers used on state- of town-owned properties.
The report quoted Lisa Henderson with Tuff Lawn Lawn Service and Fairfield County Tick Control as saying, "Not only will this ordinance have an economic impact on both the landscape and lawn care industry, and home owners, but will increase costs in the landscape industry will be passed on to homeowners in several ways." She cited the cost of investments in charging stations and possibly generators to keep batteries charged for electric leaf blowers.
The resolution says the purpose of the ordinance is to protect the health and safety of residents to reduce nuisances.
This follows news from last November that officials in Dallas, Texas, are planning to phase out the use of gasoline-powered lawnmowers, leaf blowers and landscaping equipment by 2027 or 2030 within the city.
