On January 1, 2022, the Leaf Blower Regulation Amendment Act of 2018 took effect. The Act prohibits the use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers in the District of Columbia and impacts landscapers who do business in the District, and residents who own gasoline-powered leaf blowers. Companies or individuals that now use gasoline-powered leaf blowers in the District are subject to fines of up to $500 for each offense.
Unlike the prior law which required noise readings, potential violations may be reported by any person who observes a gas-powered leaf blower in use in the District with appropriate evidence being provided to support the claim. If you witness a violation of this law, please submit the complaint online using the Consumer Complaint Form. The complaint must include:
- The name of the company or individual alleged to have used a gas-powered leaf blower
- The location of the alleged violation
- The date and time of the alleged violation
- Any additional identifying information regarding the use of the gas-powered leaf blower
The complaint form must be submitted within seven (7) days of the alleged violation. All complaints must be signed before any enforcement action will be accepted or an investigation is initiated. Photographic and recorded (video and audio) evidence in support of these citations may be submitted using the form, but is not required.
Investigations into use of a gas-powered leaf blower may take up to 30 business days to be completed.
The act also requires retailers of gasoline-powered leaf blowers to provide conspicuous notice that those leaf blowers may not be used in the District.
Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Act of 2018 Frequently Asked Questions
The Leaf Blower Regulation Amendment Act of 2018 prohibits the sale or use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers in the District of Columbia.
The law took effect on January 1, 2022.
No, the ban on use of gas-powered leaf blowers applies to everyone in the District, including residents and landscapers.
Yes, unless retailers provide conspicuous notice to consumers that the leaf blower shall not be used in the District.
Yes, DLCP partners with other District agencies to maintain compliance and identify and cite District vendors who break the law.
If you witness a violation of this law, please submit a complaint using the Consumer Complaint Form. Violations of the law can be reported by any person who observes a gas-powered leaf blower being used in the District.
The complaint shall include:
- The name of the company or individual alleged to have used a gas-powered leaf blower in the District
- The location of the alleged violation
- The date and time of the alleged violation
- Any additional identifying information regarding the use of the gas-powered leaf blower
The complaint form must be submitted within seven (7) days of the alleged violation. All complaints must be signed before any enforcement action will be accepted or an investigation is initiated. Photographic and recorded (video and audio) evidence in support of these citations can be submitted using the form but are not required.
No, DLCP will not routinely conduct site visits to verify gas-powered leaf blower complaints. A District inspector need not witness a violation for the complaint to be valid.
Businesses or individuals that use gasoline-powered leaf blowers will be subject to fines of up to $500 for each offense.
DLCP will attempt to issue the fine to your landscaper, and may contact you for help identifying them. If a landscaper is not identified, but the complaint is otherwise valid a fine may be issued against you.
If you have an active DC Business License, commercial and residential rebates are being offered by the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU). Learn more and apply for rebates.
For residents in the District, leaf blowers may be disposed of, however, before disposal, drain fluids such as gas and oil and take to the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) drop-off at the Benning Road Transfer Station, located at 3200 Benning Road NE. If the leaf blower contains a battery, the battery should be removed and taken to HHW drop-off also.
The leaf blower ban applies to all property in the District of Columbia with the exception of property owned by the Federal government of the United States.
Yes, unless the foreign embassy is on land owned by the Federal government of the United States.