[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village
of Larchmont 9-15-2020 by L.L. No. 6-2020. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Village of Larchmont finds and declares that leaf blowers
represent a significant source of environmental pollution in the form
of high and low-frequency noise, carbon and noncarbon emissions, and
dust particulate, which represent a present and increasing threat
to the public peace and to the health, safety, and welfare of the
residents of the Village and its visitors. Noise generated by leaf
blowers has the effect of interfering with the psychological well-being
of persons, as leaf blowers generate low-frequency noise at high decibel
levels, exposure to which is recognized to generate more severe adverse
health effects when compared to high frequency noises, including hearing
loss, tinnitus, reduced cognitive performance, heart disease, and
hypertension. Additionally, leaf blowers of both an internal combustion
and electric design displace significant amounts of particulate matter,
spreading pollen, mold, chemical pesticides, and other fine particulates.
Internal-combustion leaf blowers are also recognized as hyper-polluters,
emitting significant carbon and noncarbon emissions in greater magnitudes
than automobiles over similar operating periods. Accordingly, it is
the policy of the Village to regulate the use of all leaf blowers
to minimize and mitigate the harmful impacts of their use.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A leaf blower which is powered by an electric motor.
A leaf blower which is powered by an internal combustion
engine/motor. An electric leaf blower being used while plugged into
an operating generator which is powered by an internal combustion
engine shall be deemed an internal combustion leaf blower.
Any device which is used or designed to move leaves, grass
clippings, dust, dirt, or other matter by blowing them with air emitted
by such device.
No internal combustion leaf blower shall be operated in the
Village of Larchmont at any time after January 1, 2022. Until such
date, no internal combustion leaf blower may be operated in the Village
of Larchmont without a properly functioning muffler.
[Amended 3-13-2023 by L.L. No. 3-2023]
A leaf blower, whether it be an internal combustion leaf blower
(prior to their absolute prohibition) or an electric leaf blower,
may be operated in the Village of Larchmont only during the following
periods of the year: March 15 through April 30; October 15 through
December 15. The operation of leaf blowers is prohibited on all other
days of the year unless specifically provided herein.
During the months when leaf blowers are permitted to be operated
in the Village of Larchmont, they may only be operated during the
following hours:
In the event of a hurricane, tropical storm, or similar extreme
weather event, the Mayor of the Village of Larchmont, in their sole
discretion, may temporarily suspend provisions of this chapter to
allow the use of leaf blowers for debris cleanup.
A.
Responsible parties. The following parties shall have committed a
violation of this law if it is not complied with:
B.
Penalties. Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter
shall be subject to fine upon conviction thereof, not exceeding $250
for the first offense, $500 for the second offense, and $1,000 for
the third offense and any subsequent offenses. Conviction for violation
of this law shall be deemed a violation, not a misdemeanor nor a felony.
