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Is this a ban on gas leaf blowers?
No. The proposed ordinance will phase out the use of gas leaf blowers for drier months when there are fewer leaves on the ground. We understand that existing electric leaf blower technology may be insufficient for leaf maintenance needs during certain times of year, especially for large campuses and natural areas. From October to December, gas leaf blowers will be permitted – with a goal of eventually transitioning entirely to electric leaf blowers as the technology improves.
When will Portland stores stop selling gas leaf blowers?
Portland stores will continue to sell gas leaf blowers for use only during wet leaf season (October through December).
Will there be incentive programs or ways to replace my gas leaf blower for free or at a reduced cost?
Multnomah County plans on setting up an incentive program to help small commercial landscaping businesses serving customers in the City of Portland to purchase battery-powered leaf blowers. The details of the program are currently being developed.
What should I do with my old gas leaf blower when I replace it?
Gas leaf blowers can continue to be used through the wet leaf season from October 1 through December 31 until the end of 2027.
Aren’t the existing gas leaf blowers just going to end up going to Salem or someplace else?
Gas leaf blowers will be allowed for use in Portland during the fall and winter. After the phase-out is complete, only battery electric blowers will be allowed. The phase-out period allows contractors and property owners to plan for an orderly transition to all electric blowers. The phase-out is deliberately timed to coincide with the typical life cycle of a gas backpack blower used in commercial landscaping, which is 3 - 5 years.
In addition, the state of California and over 120 municipalities have banned the use of gas leaf blowers and other gas lawn care equipment. While we are unaware of other proposed bans in the state of Oregon, the trend toward all-electric lawn care is well underway.
Are there any resources to help consumers with up-front costs to change to an electric blower?
No, at this time there is no incentive for individual consumers. Most homeowners use handheld blowers, with many models of electric handheld, both corded and battery-powered, available on the market. Electric handheld equipment is at cost and power parity with gas-powered handheld equipment.
Why doesn’t Portland just ban all gas lawn equipment?
Portland is using the phase-out approach to give landscape companies and large landowners like hospitals and school campuses time to adjust. Stakeholder engagement has revealed a particular issue in the fall when the combination of seasonal leaf litter and rain combine to create a large and heavy workload. The use of gas leaf blowers during this period, until the end of 2027, will ensure time for the industry to adjust and for the rapidly evolving lawn care equipment industry to transition.
How will Portland enforce compliance? Who do I call if my neighbor is running a GLB outside of the allowed period?
Multnomah County will manage the enforcement system for gas leaf blowers. We expect this will be a complaint-based system which will be announced when the policy comes closer to its effective date.
How will Portland and Multnomah County work to make enforcement more equitable?
Recognizing that many lawncare professionals run small businesses with few employees, and that this industry employs a diverse workforce, the policy enforcement mechanism is targeted at the property owner and not the landscaping professionals. In addition, the County and City will establish an incentive program and outreach and education programming to help educate landscaping professionals and property owners about the phase-out.
The City of Portland recognizes that complaint systems for environmental violations can disproportionally impact members of historically marginalized communities. Communities with a history of positive government experiences may be more willing to report – and may disproportionately report members of historically marginalized communities. We will prioritize outreach and education and work with key contributors to design an enforcement system that is accessible to all communities.
How will people be notified of transition away from gas leaf blowers?
The City of Portland and Multnomah County will work with industry partners to conduct education and outreach through informational materials, product demos, and additional methods to notify the public.
What resources are available to help the community phase into electric leaf blowers?
Multnomah County is exploring financial incentives to replace gas leaf blowers with electric models. The County will also work on outreach and education for contractors, property owners, and consumers. Will City of Portland hold a trade-in event?
What options besides gas leaf blowers are there?
There are many handheld and backpack electric leaf blower models on the market to replace gas leaf blowers. For most jobs, electric versions perform as well or better than allowed gas leaf blowers.
Why is Portland working to transition away from gas leaf blowers?
Gas leaf blowers may be a nuisance to neighbors, but their negative health impacts are disproportionately felt by landscape workers and other operators. These health impacts are due to the unhealthy level of noise and air pollution that directly impacts the workers using this equipment. Switching from gas to electric equipment will benefit our local environment and improve quality of life for workers and neighbors.