Off-Road Equipment
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The Off-Road Equipment Strategy in the City’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) seeks to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with non-stationary equipment, typically powered by an internal combustion engine and not designated for on-road use. Off-road equipment with internal combustion engines powered by fossil fuels contribute to the City’s greenhouse gas emissions. The CAP includes a measure that directs the City to restrict the use of gas-powered two-stroke leaf blowers. By doing so, the City can reduce GHG emissions and eliminate other environmental hazards such as noise and air pollutants including carbon monoxide, lead and ground-level ozone that can cause negative human health impacts.
Implementation of this strategy is estimated to reduce the City’s greenhouse gas emissions by 128 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) by 2020 and 142 MTCO2e by 2030.
Explore the sections below to see what the City is doing to achieve these goals.
OR-1: Adopt a Leaf Blower Ordinance to Limit Use of 2-Stroke Leaf Blowers
Leaf Blower Ordinance
In 2019, the City Council passed the Leaf Blower Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2019-06, Chapter 11.28) prohibiting the use of gas-powered two-stroke leaf blowers. This ordinance went into effect in January 2020 and has led to reduced CO2 emissions communitywide.
To assist residents with the transition away from fuel-powered leaf blowers, a City-funded rebate was offered for electric or battery-powered leaf blowers until May 1, 2020. Additionally, from 2020 to 2023, the California Air Resources Board offered the Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (California CORE) which assisted professional landscapers and small businesseses with rebates for the purchase of electric landscape equipment. As of January 1, 2024, the sale of new gas-powered lawn equipment, including leaf blowers, has been prohibited by state law.
UNIT | Greenhouse gases (GHGs) have a natural heat trapping capacity which varies by gas. Humans produce more carbon dioxide (CO2) than any other GHG. We count emissions of GHGs based on how each GHG’s heat trapping capacity compares to CO2s. This is called the "CO2 equivalent" (CO2e). We measure GHGs in metric tons of CO2e (MTCO2e). | MTCO2eMetric Tons Carbon Dioxide Equivalent |
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) have a natural heat trapping capacity which varies by gas. Humans produce more carbon dioxide (CO2) than any other GHG. We count emissions of GHGs based on how each GHG’s heat trapping capacity compares to CO2s. This is called the "CO2 equivalent" (CO2e). We measure GHGs in metric tons of CO2e (MTCO2e). | MTCO2eMetric Tons Carbon Dioxide Equivalent |
Reduce Off-Road Fuel Use
How You Can Help
Last updated June 14, 2022
