No U.S. state has banned leaf blowers statewide, but California is the only state with legislation that effectively phases out gas-powered leaf blowers — through its small off-road engine emissions rules — and dozens of individual cities nationwide have local bans or restrictions in place.
California's Air Resources Board regulations require zero-emission small off-road engines by 2024 for new sales, which functionally eliminates new gas leaf blowers in the state. Beyond California, restrictions are city-level, not statewide — places like Washington D.C., Beverly Hills, and Montclair, NJ have outright bans or seasonal restrictions on gas-powered leaf blowers specifically. No state bans electric or battery-powered leaf blowers.
- Statewide gas leaf blower phase-out: California only, effective 2024 for new small off-road engine sales.
- City-level bans exist in over 100 U.S. municipalities, concentrated in California, the Northeast, and the Mid-Atlantic.
- Washington D.C. banned gas-powered leaf blowers entirely starting January 1, 2022.
- No U.S. state bans battery-powered or electric leaf blowers at the state or municipal level.
- Seasonal restrictions (e.g., no use before 8 a.m. or on weekends) are more common than outright bans in most jurisdictions.