Alexandria’s City Council is considering a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, citing environmental and health concerns.
During a legislative meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 28, Council members discussed potential regulations and a phased approach to implementation.
William Skrabak, Deputy Director of Environmental Services for the City of Alexandria, presented options for regulating leaf blowers. The city currently limits the use of lawn and garden equipment to specific hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
Skrabak recommended a total ban on gas-powered leaf blowers with a multi-year phase-out period. He noted that leaf blowers are the primary source of noise complaints among lawn and garden equipment.
“Leaf blowers are the number one complaint that we get regarding lawn and garden equipment,” Skrabak said. “They tend to be anywhere from 10 to 15 decibels louder than almost any other lawn and garden equipment.”
The proposal comes after the Virginia Attorney General opined in August 2024 that Alexandria’s city charter provides sufficient authority to ban leaf blowers.
Council members expressed support for the ban but raised concerns about its impact on small businesses, particularly minority-owned landscaping companies.
Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley emphasized the need for a phased approach similar to those adopted in Washington, D.C., and Montgomery County, Maryland.
“I’m more interested in a phased approach,’ Bagley said. “I’m interested in something similar to what D.C. and Montgomery County did. That certainly left time for businesses to put the money into this.”
Council members suggested a phase-out period of 24 to 36 months to allow businesses and residents time to transition to electric alternatives.
Skrabak highlighted the environmental benefits of the ban, telling the Council that “Operating a two-cycle gas-powered leaf blower is comparable to operating like a new Camry, about 1,100 miles.”
The Council also discussed potential incentives to help businesses and residents transition to electric equipment. Councilman R. Kirk McPike emphasized the health benefits for workers who operate gas-powered leaf blowers.
“The people who operate these devices are sitting there breathing this air like sticking their mouth up against the tailpipe of a car from the 1970s for hours a day,” McPike said.
Mayor Alyia Gaskins stressed the importance of enforcement and community engagement. She requested more information on enforcement capacity and potential fines for violations.
The city estimates it would cost $60,000 to $70,000 to transition its own equipment to electric alternatives. An additional $40,000 to $45,000 annually would be needed for contracted services.
In response to a question from Councilman Canek Aguirre, Skrabak estimated that electric-powered leaf blowers operate at five to ten decibels lower than a traditional gas-powered leaf blower.
Council members called for robust community outreach, particularly to small businesses and minority-owned companies that may be disproportionately affected by the ban.
The proposed ban would only apply to leaf blowers, not other gas-powered lawn equipment. Staff recommended the city lead by example by accelerating its transition to battery-powered leaf blowers.
City Manager James Parajon noted that implementing the ban would likely have budgetary impacts, particularly for staffing and compliance efforts.
The Council directed staff to develop a more detailed plan, including a timeline for implementation, outreach strategies, and potential incentives for businesses and residents.
A formal proposal is expected to be presented to the City Council for consideration in the future.
An ALXnow poll back in 2022 found that 52% of respondents (294 votes) said Alexandria should ban gas-powered leafblowers.
Photo via Philip Myrtorp/Unsplash
