Proposed
Takoma Park Green Our City Ordinance
WHEREAS, gasoline-powered lawn equipment, including leaf blowers, emits significant
amounts of Nitrogen Oxides and Volatile Organic Compounds, which react with sunlight
to create ground-level ozone;
WHEREAS, ground-level ozone levels in the Greater Washington metropolitan area
violate the health-based and ecology-based federal standards for this pollutant;
WHEREAS, ground-level ozone has been linked by numerous studies to a wide array of
diseases and is most dangerous to children, the elderly and to people who suffer from or
are predisposed to respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema or to
cardiovascular disease;
WHEREAS, ground-level ozone also can harm even healthy, young adults;
WHEREAS, pulmonary damage suffered due to chronic exposure to elevated ozone
levels may cause lifelong impairment;
WHEREAS, high levels of ground-level ozone cause immediate and long-term damage to
vegetation, including crops, ornamentals, and shade trees such as Takoma Park’s
towering oaks, poplars and beeches;
WHEREAS, the combined impacts of air pollution, drought, severe storms, and elevated
temperatures due to global warming may already be damaging trees and forests in
Takoma Park and the region;
WHEREAS, gasoline-powered leaf blowers propel dirt, debris, pollen, and particulates
into the air, with potentially significant detrimental impacts on all residents of Takoma
Park but especially the most vulnerable members of our community;
WHEREAS, gasoline-powered leaf blowers are frequently operated by homeowners and
landscapers without training or the use of proper protective gear;
WHEREAS, the Washington region violates the health-based federal standards for fine
particle pollution (PM2.5);
WHEREAS, exposure to ozone, PM2.5 and other pollutants may cause additive or
synergistic disease effects;
WHEREAS, gas-powered lawn equipment also generate greenhouse gases, which have
been scientifically shown to accelerate climate change;
WHEREAS, the City of Takoma Park adopted a Local Action Plan for Reducing
Greenhouse Gas Emissions in 2000 with the goal of reducing emissions in the city to 80
percent of 1990 levels by 2010;
WHEREAS, significant steps are required for the city to meet those emissions goals;
WHEREAS, the city's noise ordinance allows leaf blowers to be as loud as 70 decibels, as
measured from 50 feet away, which is 5 decibels louder than the limit allowed for any
other form of noise;
WHEREAS, excessive noise has been shown to impair hearing and physical health of
operators, but also diminishes the ability of Takoma Park residents and visitors to
experience peace and quiet;
WHEREAS, the use of high-emission and noisy equipment leads residents to close their
windows and use air conditioning to cool their homes, which can increase greenhouse gas
emissions;
WHEREAS, traditional, alternative, environmentally friendly methods of clearing leaves,
clippings, dirt, and debris are readily and affordably available;
WHEREAS, dozens of local governments have restricted or eliminated the use of
gasoline-powered leaf blowers without significant adverse economic, fiscal or social
impacts;
WHEREAS, the Takoma Park Department of Public Works has stated that the
elimination of gasoline-powered leaf blowers would have a negligible impact on city
operations;
WHEREAS, over 30 Takoma Park environmental activists and professionals have
petitioned the City of Takoma Park to ban gasoline-powered leaf blowers;
WHEREAS, use of traditional, environmentally friendly methods of clearing leaves,
clippings, dirt, and debris rather than gasoline-powered leaf blowers would reduce ozone
generation, air pollutants and particulates, greenhouse gases, noise, and safety hazards in
Takoma Park, to the benefit of residents, visitors, and workers and others in the region;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
TAKOMA PARK, MARYLAND THAT
Section 1. It shall be unlawful for any person, including any city employee, landscape
worker or resident, to operate any machine powered by a gasoline engine to blow leaves,
clippings, dirt, gravel, or anything else from sidewalks, driveways, lawns, gardens, roofs,
structures, roadways, or any other surface within the city limits.
a. This prohibition also applies to gasoline-powered generators used for the purpose of
powering electric models of the machines referred to in the previous paragraph, which are
commonly known as leaf blowers.
b. Notice of this prohibition shall be posted in all stores selling or furnishing such
gasoline powered machines within the City limits.
Section 2. This ordinance shall be effective six months from the date of adoption by the
council and mayor.
Section 3. Violation. Any person who violates or directs the violation of this ordinance is
guilty of a misdemeanor.