[HISTORY: Adopted by the Council of the City of Rye 11-30-2022 by L.L. No. 8-2022.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law provided an effective date of 1-1-2023.
[Amended 2-11-2026 by L.L. No. 2-2026]
The City Council finds that motorized landscaping activities generate noise, and more specifically the use of gas-powered leaf blowers can significantly increase the level of noise, particularly in the higher-density neighborhoods of Rye. Gas-powered leaf blowers also create pollution and contribute to global warming through the release of carbon emissions. Accordingly, it is the intent and purpose of this chapter to prohibit the use of gas-powered leaf blowers, with certain exceptions, and allow year round use of electric leaf blowers to allow for a quieter environment.
[Amended 2-11-2026 by L.L. No. 2-2026]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ELECTRIC LEAF BLOWER
A moveable, portable, handheld, backpack-style, tow-behind or other device or unit powered by electricity and used for the purpose of blowing, moving, removing, dispersing, vacuuming, or redistributing leaves, dust, dirt, grass clippings, cuttings, and trimmings from trees and shrubs or any other type of litter or debris. An electric leaf blower may be powered by a battery, or a cord plugged into an electric wall outlet or battery power bank. However, 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 and use of such machine is prohibited.
GAS LEAF BLOWER (also referred to as an "INTERNAL COMBUSTION LEAF BLOWER")
A moveable, portable, handheld, backpack-style, tow-behind or other device or unit powered by an internal combustion engine using gasoline or other hydrocarbon fuel and used for the purpose of blowing, moving, removing, dispersing, vacuuming, or redistributing leaves, dust, dirt, grass clippings, cuttings, and trimmings from trees and shrubs or any other type of litter or debris.
LANDSCAPER
Any person, corporation, partnership, or business entity of any form who tends, plants, installs, maintains, or repairs lawns, or performs general yard maintenance work or leaf collection of any kind, on real property which such person does not own or at which s/he does not reside.
MOTORIZED LANDSCAPING EQUIPMENT
Electric, battery or internal combustion engine powered equipment commonly used for general yard maintenance work, including cutting grass, aerating and seeding lawns, planting, digging holes, trimming hedges and shrubs, collecting and removing leaves and other common yard maintenance activities.
[Amended 6-14-2023 by L.L. No. 9-2023; 2-11-2026 by L.L. No. 2-2026]
A. 
The use of motorized landscaping equipment, including lawn mowers, leaf blowers and other outdoor machine-powered equipment, is permitted only between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekends.
B. 
The use of motorized landscaping equipment, including lawn mowers, leaf blowers and other outdoor machine-powered equipment, is not permitted on holidays.
C. 
The City Manager may permit the expanded use of gas leaf blowers for a period not to exceed 14 days after significant storm events or during other emergency situations.
D. 
The restrictions regarding the use of motorized landscaping equipment, including gas leaf blowers and other outdoor machine-powered equipment, in this chapter shall not apply to the following entities and activities: municipal, schools, religious institutions, membership clubs, golf courses, hospital and retirement communities, cemeteries, and non-residential lots greater than three acres in size.
E. 
The above restrictions in § 122-4A through D shall not apply to snowblowers or use of motorized equipment for the purposes of snow or ice removal.
F. 
Moving leaves or yard debris to City streets, private streets, public property, storm drains or abutting lots is prohibited at all times.
The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by the City of Rye Police Department, the Rye Building Department or any other City employee designated by the City Manager.
[Amended 6-14-2023 by L.L. No. 9-2023; 2-11-2026 by L.L. No. 2-2026]
A. 
The following parties shall have committed a violation of this chapter if it is not complied with:
(1) 
The party(ies) operating the illegal leaf blower(s); and/or
(2) 
The party who employed the person(s) who operated the illegal leaf blower(s) at the time of violation; and/or
(3) 
The party who owns, rents or otherwise controls the property where the violation occurs.
B. 
Conducting motorized landscaping work outside of permitted hours or on holidays. The following parties shall have committed a violation of this chapter if it is not complied with:
(1) 
The party(ies) operating the motorized landscaping equipment; and/or
(2) 
The party who employed the person(s) who operated the motorized landscaping equipment at the time of violation; and/or
(3) 
The party who owns, rents or otherwise controls the property where the violation occurs.
C. 
Failure of commercial landscapers to comply with the provisions of Westchester County Law §§ 863.312 through 863.330. Commercial landscapers who fail to comply with WCC §§ 863.312 through 863.330, including working without a valid Westchester County license or failure to display license decals and required identification information on its vehicles, shall also be in violation of this chapter.
D. 
Any person found in violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a City Code infraction and shall be punished by a fine not to exceed the sum of $250 for the first offense. A second infraction violation shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed the sum of $1,500 and a third infraction shall result in a minimum fine of $2,500 and a maximum fine not to exceed the sum of $10,000. Repeat offenders may be issued a court appearance ticket(s) and be subject to subsequent court orders including civil forfeiture of property.