Portland's gas leaf blower rules

During the January to September ban, the City Administrator can allow gas blowers in inclement weather, which the code defines as extreme rain, snow, ice, flooding or another storm that puts people or property at real risk of harm.^2-3

All year, with any blower, gas or electric, dust and debris can't be blown onto a neighbor's property, a storm drain, public property or the street. The exception is leaves left out for the city's scheduled collection.³

The rule covers hand-held and backpack blowers, and any machine that takes a vacuum attachment. An electric blower is one powered only by electricity: battery, cordless rechargeable or corded.²

The rule is on the property owner. If you hire a landscaper or a property manager, it's up to you to make sure they don't use a gas blower.¹ The city aims enforcement at owners rather than landscaping workers.⁴ For a condominium, the owners' association board counts as the owner.²

An owner who would need to upgrade the property's electrical service to switch can ask the City Administrator for more time.⁵

The city adds no surcharge for the phase-out. If a contractor's estimate shows one, it may be the contractor's own charge for switching to electric.¹ Stores can still sell gas leaf blowers.⁴

A violation can bring a written notice saying what has to change. The first is a warning. A second may bring a civil penalty of $250, a third $500, and a fourth or any later one $1,000. Each day out of compliance counts as a separate violation.⁶ An owner given a penalty has 10 business days to pay it or ask for a hearing before the Code Hearings Officer.⁷

Every leaf blower, gas or electric, also has to meet the city's noise code.¹ The city's noise complaints page takes complaints, and the phase-out help desk is gasleafblowers@portlandoregon.gov.