Local News in Brief : Leaf Blower Restrictions

The Rancho Palos Verdes City Council Tuesday took the first step toward restricting the use of motorized leaf blowers by introducing an ordinance that would ban the machines on Sundays and holidays, and restrict their use on weekdays to the hours between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If the ordinance is adopted as expected on Dec. 1, it will become effective Dec. 31.

Councilman Robert Ryan sought a complete ban of the machines, citing their noise and the dust and pollen they blow through the air. Ryan suffers from allergies, which he said are aggravated by leaf blowers.

“I don’t see that banning leaf blowers is the answer to dust and noise in Rancho Palos Verdes,” said Councilwoman Jacki Bacharach, suggesting that the council discuss the rules with gardening groups and the manufacturers of yard cleanup tools.

The council agreed in the coming weeks to do more research on the use of alternative cleanup tools, such as vacuums, motorized brooms and leaf blowers equipped with misters that reduce the amount of dust blown into the air. Based on that research, the council may amend the ordinance.

If enacted Rancho Palos Verdes would be the second city to restrict the use of leaf blowers on the Peninsula. The Palos Verdes Estates City Council last spring banned the use of the machines.