Portland bans gas leaf blowers beginning in 2026

(MARCH 29, 2024) Portland's City Council has unanimously agreed to ban gas-powered leaf blowers gradually. Within the next four years, these machines will be phased out completely. Multnomah County helped write the ban. It promised assistance to small landscaping businesses, including those run by immigrants. The county and the city want to help businesses change to electric and battery-powered blowers.

The phase-out will begin in January 2026. For the first two years, gas leaf blowers will only be allowed during the wet leaf season. That is from October to December. Then, from January 2028, a year-round ban will be in effect. Portland becomes the first city in Oregon to have such a ban. However, over 100 cities in the U.S. already restrict or ban gas leaf blowers.

The ban wants to reduce risks to people's health and the environment.  The goal is to reduce pollution and noise. Enforcement will focus on property owners rather than landscape businesses. There will be penalties for violations.  

Some people don't like the idea and want to change the new law. However, city and county officials believe the long-term benefits, such as reduced pollution and quieter neighborhoods, are more important than the cost of changing to electric blowers.