In 2017, the Newton City Council passed a revised Leaf Blower Ordinance that bans all gas-powered leaf blowers from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and during that period, only one electric or battery-powered leaf blower per lot is allowed.
The Newton City Council also affirmed a 2009 Leaf Blower Ordinance that prohibits all leaf blower operation at sound levels of 65 decibels or more during the other times of the year. All leaf blowers must have a manufacturer’s label documenting the db level of the machine. Only those gas, electric or battery-powered leaf blowers labeled at or below 65 decibels are allowed from Labor Day to the day before Memorial Day.
The permitted hours of use are Monday-Friday from 7am to 5pm, and Saturdays from 8am to 5pm. All leafblower use is prohibited on Sundays, except by residents on their own property between 9am and 5pm, and by owners of 30 or more contiguous acres of property between 9:30am and noon.
Leaf blower violations should be reported to Inspectional Services at 617-796-1061 and/or to the Newton Police Department at 617-796-2100—wait for the prompt for dispatch.
The ordinance includes the following penalties: 1st violation – written warning will be given to the person or company using the leaf blower; 2nd violation – $100 fine; 3rd violation – $200 fine; 4th and each subsequent violation – $300 fine. Property owners will be notified of the penalties. For more information: visit newtonma.gov/leafblower.
For a list of Green Newton recommended lawn care providers visit http://143.198.126.125/resources/
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