Friday, October 17, 2025
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PHOTO: GoLocal
The Providence City Council has moved forward with a new ordinance banning the use of gas-powered leaf blowers.
Gas leaf blowers have been widely criticized for their noise, environmental impacts, and adverse effects on workers.
Bans have been adopted in a number of communities across the country, including Washington, DC; Cambridge, Massachusetts; and Pasadena, California, to name a few.
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But, if you own a gas-powered blower, don’t stress, as the version Providence passed is not fully implemented for years.
The ordinance requires one more approval by the Council.
A GoLocal report in 2021:
Gas-powered leaf blowers are a significant source of pollutants. A study by Washington University in St. Louis writes, “Many consumer-grade blowers (and some mowers) use a two-stroke engine, which lacks an independent lubrication system, so fuel has to be mixed with oil. Burning oil and fuel emits a number of harmful toxic pollutants into the air, including carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides (which cause smog formation and acid rain), and hydrocarbons (a carcinogenic gas that also causes smog).”
“The number of air pollutants emitted by gas-powered leaf blowers and lawnmowers exceed pollutant emissions of large automobiles, which are regulated to reduce and capture many air pollutants. A 2011 study showed that a leaf blower emits nearly 300 times the amount of air pollutants as a pickup truck,” writes the WU report.
Confusion Remains on How Violations Will Be Reported
The city council chief of staff, June Rose, could not answer clearly how the enforcement would take place.
GoLocal repeatedly asked Rose how the enforcement would work, but received the following from Rose:
A good parallel in terms of implementation and enforcement is the plastic bag ban. The administration will have leeway to do education and enforcement, as is their role. The goal is to bring people into compliance, not to issue fines, which is why it has a long runway and starts with a warning at the first offense.
What is clear is that if any citations are implemented, the first is a warning and the second is a $100 fine for the homeowner. There is no penalty for the operator.
For those looking for relief from the noise and the environmental impacts, don’t expect to see any changes anytime soon.
The gas-powered blowers are not fully phased out for six years.
The ordinance states:
It is hereby declared to be the policy of the City to phase out the use of gas-powered leaf blowers beginning on January 1, 2027, and to prohibit such use entirely as of January 1, 2033.
(a) Phase-Out Period (January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2032)
As of January 1, 2027, the use of gas-powered leaf blowers by any person, including city departments and city contractors, shall be permitted only between October 1 and December 15 of each calendar year.
(b) Permanent Prohibition (Effective January 1, 2033)
As of January 1, 2033, the use of gas-powered leaf blowers anywhere within the city limits by any person, including city departments and city contractors, shall be prohibited.
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