Gas-powered leaf blowers are 1,000 times to 10,000 times louder than an electric leaf blower or rake.  They emit noxious fumes that cause smog and health problems.  Leaf blowers blast particles, pollens, microbes and more out of the ground and into the air we breathe.  Gas-powered leaf blowers use a 50 year old technology that has been superseded by much better battery operated versions.

Gas-powered leaf blower engines emit a sound pattern that penetrates the walls of our houses.  They are nearly as loud inside a house as outside.  Sensitive persons such as those with Autism and PTSD find leaf blowers exceptionally terrorizing.

Many cities, such as Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Santa Barbara and Berkeley have already banned gas-powered leaf blowers.

Placer County already recognizes the need for quality of life and that loud noises cause health problems and has codified these rights into Article 9.36 of the Codes.  But, the codes have an exception for leaf blowers.  It's time to close this loophole.

This petition is to request that the Placer County Board of Supervisors eliminate the noise regulation loophole that allows gas-powered leaf blowers and gas-powered lawn mowers.  Electric and battery powered options exist that work just as well, emit no pollution, are far quieter, are healthier for users and less expensive to operate.