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This new policy starts January 1, 2026, is phased through 2027, and with a full ban going into effect January 1, 2028.
Is this a ban on gas leaf blowers?
No, not initially. This ordinance phases out gas leaf blowers over time during 2026 and 2027 with a full ban starting January 1, 2028.
The ordinance will phase out the use of gas leaf blowers during drier months when there are fewer leaves on the ground. From October to December of 2026 and 2027, gas leaf blowers will be allowed – with the goal of eventually transitioning entirely to electric leaf blowers as the equipment technology improves.
When will Portland stores stop selling gas leaf blowers?
Portland stores can continue to sell gas leaf blowers. This ordinance does not regulate the sale of gas leaf blowers.
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. After that, there are several places you can recycle your old gas leaf blower at one of multiple locations:
Green Century Electronics Recycler
2950 NW 29th Avenue
Portland, OR 97210
503-764-9963
Metro Metals Northwest
5611 NE Columbia Blvd.
Portland, OR 97218
503-287-8861
Far West Recycling
12820 NE Marx St.
Portland, OR 97230
503-643-9944
RS Davis Recycling
10105 SE Mather Rd.
Clackamas, OR 97015
503-655-5433
SBCRecycle
19040 SW Shaw St, Unit C
Beaverton, Oregon 97007
503-334-4146
Far West Recycling
9665 SW Tualatin-Sherwood Road
Tualatin, OR 97062
503-643-9944
Aren’t the existing gas leaf blowers just going to end up going to Salem or someplace else?
It is unclear what effect Portland's policy will have on the sale or resale of gas leaf blowers in neighboring communities. Several jurisdictions in Oregon plan to ban, or have already placed restrictions on the use of gas leaf blowers, including Ashland, Bend, Corvallis, Eugene, Salem and Springfield. The trend toward all-electric lawn care is well underway, and the technology is improving all the time.
Are there any resources to help consumers with up-front costs to change to an electric blower?
At this time, there are no resources to assist individual consumers with up-front costs of replacement. Most homeowners use handheld blowers, with many models of electric handheld, both corded and battery-powered, available on the market in a range of price points. Electric handheld equipment is comparable to gas-powered equipment in both cost and capacity.
Why doesn’t Portland just ban all gas lawn equipment?
Portland is using the "phase-out" approach to allow landscape companies and large landowners like hospitals, parks, and school campuses the time to adjust. Market transformation takes time and the phasing approach works best for all stakeholders.
Stakeholder engagement has revealed a seasonal fall issue, when the combination of seasonal leaf litter and rain combine to create a large and heavy workload for landscapers. The use of gas leaf blowers during this period, the months of October through December, through 2027, will ensure time for the industry to adjust and for the rapidly evolving lawn care equipment industry to transition.
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.
As resources become available, the City intends to establish an outreach and education campaign to help educate landscaping professionals and property owners about the phase-out.
The City recognizes that complaint systems for environmental violations can disproportionally impact members of historically marginalized communities. Communities with a history of positive government interactions 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.
What options besides gas leaf blowers are there?
There are many handheld and backpack electric leaf blower models on the market to replace gas-powered leaf blowers. For most jobs, electric versions perform as well or better than gas leaf blowers. In residential settings, a rake or broom works well too.
Why is Portland working to transition away from gas leaf blowers?
Gas-powered 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.