Sale of Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers and Leaf Vacuums in County Are Prohibited as of July 1

The first step of a new law phasing out the sale and use of gas-powered leaf blowers and leaf vacuums in Montgomery County went into effect on Monday, July 1. The sale of gas-powered backpack, handheld and walk-behind leaf blowers are now prohibited. Bill 18-22 was approved by the County Council in September 2023 and signed into law by County Executive Marc Elrich.

The law provides that use of the gas-powered equipment will be banned starting on July 1, 2025. Penalties under the noise law are $500 per violation.

The Department of Environmental Protection will provide a limited number of rebates between $100 and $1,500 for the purchase of electric leaf blowers beginning this summer. See more details at www.MontgomeryCountyMD.gov/Leafblowers .

The new law:

• Prohibits the sale of handheld, backpack, and walk-behind gas-powered leaf blowers and leaf vacuums starting July 1, 2024.
• Prohibits the use of handheld, backpack, and walk-behind gas-powered leaf blowers and leaf vacuums starting July 1, 2025.
• Authorizes a rebate program to partially offset the cost of replacing a gas-powered leaf blower with an electric leaf blower.
• Maintains noise ordinance limits for leaf blowers and leaf vacuums not to exceed 70 decibels at 50 feet.

The law applies to private property, commercial property, local government, and Montgomery County Government. The law does not apply to Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery Parks, which are managed by the State of Maryland.

The County's ban on gas-powered leaf blowers reduces noise, harmful air emissions and continued reliance on fossil fuels. It also lessens health impacts that contribute to hearing loss, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and other health issues.

The County will soon launch a rebate program to offset the cost of purchasing electric leaf blowers. For questions and up-to-date information on when the rebate program will be open, visit the website Electric Leaf Blower Rebate Program, DEP, Montgomery County, MD or email questions to LeafBlowerRebateProgram@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov.

The rebate program is as follows:

• Landscapers with revenue under $250,000 annually or five or less employees can receive up to $1,500 in one 12-month period.
• Landscapers with revenue of more than $250,000 or six or more employees can receive up to $1,000 in one 12-month period.
• Residents can receive up to $100 for one rebate.

For more information on Bill 18-22, click here.