Ann Arbor's gas leaf blower rules

When gas leaf blowers can and can't be used in Ann Arbor under the city's phase-out, the exceptions, who can be fined and how to report a violation.

Updated October 23, 20268 official sources

On this page6 sections

1When gas blowers are allowed
2What counts as a leaf blower
3Rules for every blower
4Exceptions
5Who it applies to
6What happens after a violation

Ann Arbor is phasing out gas leaf blowers under chapter 75 of its City Code. City Council adopted the chapter on December 18, 2023¹ and amended it on September 16, 2024.² The limits on use don't apply to electric leaf blowers.³

When gas blowers are allowed

Dates	Gas leaf blowers
June 1 to September 30, each year since 2024	Not allowed
October 1 to May 30, through 2027	Allowed
From January 1, 2028	Not allowed at any time

The summer ban started in 2024.⁴ Electric blowers can be used during it.^5-6

What counts as a leaf blower

The rule covers powered portable, handheld and backpack blowers and vacuums used outdoors to move leaves, grass clippings, dust, dirt, stones or debris. Snowblowers aren't included. A gas-powered blower has an internal combustion engine burning gasoline, kerosene, diesel, propane or another fuel. An electric one runs from an outlet or batteries.⁵

Rules for every blower

All year, you can't blow, sweep or place debris, trash, leaves, plant clippings or yard waste onto a neighbor's property or into any street, sidewalk, drain or public right-of-way.⁶

Chapter 75 sets no hours of the day for blowers. The draft had weekday and weekend hours, and they were struck before the council adopted it.⁷

Exceptions

Any leaf blower, gas or electric, can be used at any time of year:⁶

in an emergency, to protect health, safety or property;
right after an emergency, to clear a walkway, driveway or street of debris after a storm or other natural disaster;
to prepare or carry out a lawful controlled or prescribed burn for ecological maintenance or restoration;
to build or repair a street, sidewalk or other pavement.

Turbine blowers can be used all year when they're needed to maintain public facilities or get recreational facilities such as golf courses and playing fields ready for use.⁶ A turbine blower is a towed or wheeled blower with a four-stroke engine.⁵

Downtown has a separate rule. Since 2019 an ordinance has banned outdoor power equipment with two-stroke engines in the Downtown Development Authority area.⁸

Who it applies to

The ordinance applies to everyone in Ann Arbor. The city says no person, organization or company working in the city is exempt.⁸ A fine can be given to the person who breaks the rule or to the employer who allows or directs it.⁶

What happens after a violation

A violation is a civil infraction. The fine is not less than $100 plus costs for a first offense and not less than $250 plus costs for a later one.⁶ The police department's Community Standards Officers and Police Service Specialists can write citations under chapter 75.¹

To report a violation, call Ann Arbor Police Department Community Standards at 734.794.6942. Questions about the phase-out go to sustainability@a2gov.org.⁴

Ann Arbor City Code chapter 75 and the city's phase-out pages, checked October 2026.

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