MONTGOMERY COUNTY GAS-POWERED LEAF BLOWER BAN 

Montgomery County has passed a gas powered leaf blower ban which prohibits the use of two-stroke gas powered leaf removal equipment throughout Montgomery County. Effective July 1st 2025,  businesses that use gas powered leaf removal equipment will need to upgrade to electrical systems to be able to continue to provide those services. The ban includes handheld, backpack, and walk behind leaf removal equipment.

The ban does not apply to Montgomery County Schools or Montgomery County Parks, or other properties managed by the State.  Also excluded are truck or tractor mounted equipment and ride-on equipment such as lawn mowers and tractors.

HOW THE LEAF BLOWER BAN EFFECTS HOMEOWNERS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY:

Montgomery County businesses that provide services such as landscaping, lawn care, gutter cleaning, tree removal, etc. are no longer able to use gas-powered leaf removal equipment. Therefore,  those business are forced to upgrade to electric equipment which is not only far more expensive to purchase and maintain, but also less efficient which results in services taking more time.  The result is higher cost of services for Montgomery County residences.

BENIFITS:

Less Noise Pollution – The main reasoning for the gas powered leaf blower ban is to cut down on noise pollution in residential areas.  Homeowners no longer have to worry about their neighbors complaining about loud noises caused by gas powered leaf blowers.

Reduced Air Emissions –  Electric leaf blowers do not burn fuel, so they produce zero air emissions.

 

GUTTER CLEANING PRICE UPDATE FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Going forward all gutter cleaning services in Montgomery County will include an additional surcharge to help cover the associated cost of purchasing and maintaining electric leaf blowers. Should the gas leaf blower ban ever be lifted, pricing will return to standard pricing for Montgomery County.

 

REASONS FOR ADDITIONAL COST:

Montgomery County businesses are forced to upgrade to electric equipment which is not only far more expensive to purchase and maintain, but also less efficient which results in services increase labor costs.  The end result is higher cost of services for Montgomery County residences.

 

HIGH INVESTMENT COST:  The cost to equip each crew member with one electric blower, adequate batteries, and charging docks for the day is close to $3,000 – $5,000 per employee. Additionally, electric leaf blower technology is very new and constantly improving. Therefore, every other year the equipment will need to be upgraded as it becomes obsolete.

HIGHER MAINTENANCE COST:   Since electrical blowers are such a niche industry, repair shops that maintenance newer electrical models are few and far between. Lack of repair shops can lead to having to replace equipment over simple equipment malfunctions.

HIGHER LABOR COST:  The electric leaf blowers currently on the market are much less efficient than gas powered models. Therefore, services will take longer to complete using electrical equipment, which results in higher wage costs.

 

LEARN MORE HERE >>  https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dep/property-care/leaf-blowers/index.html

NOISE LAW UPDATE >> https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/montgomerycounty/latest/montgomeryco_md/0-0-0-138982#JD_31B-9

 

F.A.Q.’s:

Are other gas powered land scaping/lawn care equipment such as lawn mowers or chain saws included in the ban?   – No, the ban only targets leaf removal equipment.

Is there an option to opt out of using a leaf blower altogether, and have the gutters hand picked instead? – Yes, but keep in mind that hand picking gutters takes much more time and does not deliver as good of a finished product. Because of the additional time and labor costs, hand picking gutters will cost more than using an electric blower in most cases.  Quotes for hand picking gutters are provided on a case-by-case basis.

How long is the gas powered leaf blower ban in effect for Montgomery County? – Indefinitely.

Are any other counties in Maryland effected by this ban? –  No, the gas powered leaf blower ban is only for Montgomery County.