Community Corner
Planning Commission To Consider Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ban
Changes have also been proposed in allowed hours to use powered landscaping equipment in residential areas.
Press release from the City of Hayward:
April 25, 2021
The Hayward Planning Commission will consider on Thursday a future ban on the use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers on residential property in the City and changes in allowed hours of use of any type of powered landscaping equipment in or close to a residential area.
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The proposals are coming to the Commission in the form of amendments to the City’s noise ordinance and General Plan, and are being recommended in response to an increase in noise complaints from residents and to further reduce carbon emissions in Hayward.
Under the proposed amendments, the ban on gasoline-powered leaf blowers would take effect in January 2024. Also, the new allowable hours of use of any powered landscape equipment would be set at 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. Currently, powered landscape equipment can be used from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. There is no proposed change to hours of use on Sundays, which currently are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Under the proposed changes, allowable hours of use would apply to all residential property as well as to portions of commercial property within 25 feet of residential areas.
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If approved by the Commission, the amendments to the noise ordinance and General Plan are scheduled to be sent to the City Council for final consideration and adoption on June 1.
For more information, please visit https://www.hayward-ca.gov/noise on the City of Hayward website. The Planning Commission meeting is being held on Zoom. Links through which people can attend online and provide public comment or view a live stream are available here on the City of Hayward website calendar of upcoming events.
Questions and comments also can be sent by email to the Environmental Services Division of the Hayward Department of Public Works email at environment@hayward-ca.gov.
This press release was produced by the City of Hayward. The views expressed here are the author's own.