10/09/2024

NEW Baltimore City Leaf Blower Ban

Does not apply to pesticide application

Regulatory Update:

Baltimore City Passes a Ban on Gas-Powered Debris Removal Equipment

On October 7, 2024, the Baltimore City Council passed Bill 23-0367, stating "a person, individual, contractor, or subcontractor may not use gas-powered debris removal equipment in Baltimore City." 

The bill specifically includes handheld leaf blowers with a vacuum function, used to displace or remove for disposal, debris, including manufactured objects, plant materials, animal materials and natural geologic materials.

This bill does not apply to pesticide application equipment.

The bill will be phased in. With this bill, the City and its contractors will no longer use gas-powered leaf blowers after Dec. 15, 2024. Private use thereafter, including for landscaping professionals, will be limited to Oct 15-Dec 15 of 2025 and the same period in 2026. Then the ban will go into full effect. 

For a full text of the bill and a record of it's passage, please click here.